Mr. Broderip on some new and rare Shells. 81 



Art. VIII. Description of some new and rare Shells, By 

 W. J. Broderip, Esq, Sec, G.S,, RL,, <^ U.S. 



VoLUtA DUBiA. — Fig'like Volute, 



V. test^ fusiformi, longitudinaliter sub-cosiata, transversim 

 striata, flavicante, maculis fulvis, sub-quadratis, interruptis raulti- 

 fasciata ; splra brevi, apice rudi, acuto-papillari ; columella levis- 

 sime biplicata, basi integra. Long. 2 \ unc. 



Mus. Princip. Massenas. 



Habitat ? 



Icon. Tab. 3. fig. 1. 



Shell fusiform, slightly ribbed, longitudinally and transversely 

 striated, yellowish, with many bands of interrupted, somewhat 

 square, fulvous spots ; spire short, apex rude, with the papilla 

 terminating almost acutely ; the pillar very slightly marked with 

 two plaits, and the base entire. Length 2 | inches. 



This shell is one of those forms which convince us of the 

 vanity of our artificial distinctions. When viewed from above it 

 seems as if the spire of a Valuta were placed on the body-whorl 

 of one of those Pyrulce^ which are commonly known by the 

 name of Figs, Turn it, and the difficulty of classing the shell is 

 rather increased ; for the aperture is still Fig-like, and it requires 

 an accurate examination to detect the two almost imperceptible 

 plaits on the columella. The apex indeed, uncouth as it is, shews 

 more like that of a Valuta than of any other shell, and it is 

 utterly diiferent from that of a Pt/rula, Place it among the 

 Volutes, and it will be found to approach nearest to V, rupestris: 

 though one cannot but suspect that there are yet in the bosom of 

 the deep many gradations of form between them. It is evidently 

 a marine shell, and its locality does not appear to be known. 

 There is, I believe, one specimen in the cabinet of Prince 

 Massena. For the second known specimen, from which this 

 figure and description were taken, I am indebted to M. RousselL 

 The shell is evidently faded. 



Vol. III. , 



