270 



is reddish-brown, with the white markings more conspicuous than in the smaller specimen from 

 Stat. 261. The white subsutural spots remind in some degree M. coronata Lam. Mr. Melvill 

 who had the kindness to examine the larger specimen, writes about it: "allied in sculpture and 

 markings to picta Reéve (Cape of Good Hope) but differing in form. I can hardly consider it a 

 form of variabilis Rve, though allied. Nor is it M. Cookii Hanley with which I have compared 

 it. I do not know M. fulgurita Rve, with which it is perhaps comparable". Under these circum- 

 stances I thought it fit, to describe it as new, as it did not sufficiently agree with any of 

 these species. 



14. Mitra simplicissima n. sp. PI. XVIII, fig. 1 1 #, b. 



Stat. 137. Channel between Makjan and Halmaheira. 472 M. Fine, dark muddy sand. 1 Spec. 



Shell elongately fusiform, spire nearly half as long as the whole shell. Nucleus wanting, 

 remaining whorls about 8, slightly convex, separated by a deep, undulated suture. Colour white, 

 with a very faint yellowish band below the suture and another below the periphery. Sculpture 

 consisting of rather distant ribs, 16 on penultimate whorl (wanting on last half whorl, after an 

 accident) and a conspicuous spiral rib, at some distance from the suture, with a faint one between 

 it and the suture; below the broad spiral rib runs a groove and lower on the whorls a few 

 spiral striae are visible ; towards the base and on the canal the shell is lirate. Aperture narrow, 

 with thin peristome, smooth interiorly, columellar margin with 3 plicae, of which the upper 

 one is very strong. 



Alt. 22, lat. 7; apert. alt. 11, lat. 2 Mill. 



var. glabra n. var. PI. XVIII, fig. 1 1 c. 



Stat. 178. 2°4oS., I28°37'.5 E. Ceram Sea. 835 M. Blue mud. 1 Spec. 



Sculpture much less developed, ribs fainter and of the spirals only traces of the large 

 subsutural one are perceptible, base smooth, colour uniformly white. 



This new species is not allied to anyone I know. Mr. Melvill whom I consulted, 

 writes: "A little like M. tensa Melv. (Journ. of Conch. V, p. 285, PI. 2, fig. 21) which however 

 is from the Antarctic Ocean or reported so. But it is quite distinct". The texture of the shell 

 is quite that of deep water and polar species, the type, though captured alive, being slightly 

 worn at the upper whorls; the whole shell has a somewhat corneous appearance. 



15. Mitra (Ncbularia) fulva Swainson. 



Swainson. Zool. 111. II, PI. 30, fig. 1. 



Reeve. Conch. Ie. Vol. II, Mitra, fig. 24. 



SOWERBY. Thes. Conchyl. Vol. IV, Mitra, p. 20, PI. 14, fig. 241, PI. 27, fig. 615. 



TRYON. Man. of Conch. Vol. IV, p. 148, PI. 43, fig. 267 (ambigua var.). 



Stat. 200. Bara-bay, North coast of Buru-island. Up to 54 M. Mud and stone. 1 Spec. 

 Stat. 209. South-point of Kabaena-island. 22 M. Coralsand. 1 Spec. 



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