134 Trafisacfions. 



regularly increasing, shouldered, convex, contracting sharply to the canal. 

 Sculpture, on the body- whorl four spiral ribs ; only the upper two show 

 on the spire-whorls. Some specimens have an extra small spiral thread 

 between the main ribs ; on the holotype it is between the second and third 

 ribs. The axial sculpture consists of fine sharp nearly equidistant threads 

 from the apex to the basal rib, rendering the spirals nodulous. From the 

 basal rib only fine growth-lines show along the canal. The anal notch is 

 merely a curve on the sloping shoulder near the suture, and is easily 

 overlooked. Suture rather deeply impressed. Canal fairly long, widely 

 open, inclined to the left, with a very slight backward curve. Outer Up 

 sharp, convex : inner lip merely a thin glaze on the columella. Columella 

 short, vertical. Colour a dirty white. Operculum unknown. Animal 

 unknown. 



Measurements. — ^Height, 4-5 mm. ; diameter, 2 mm. 



Material. — The holotype and three paratypes from type locality ; fifteen 

 from oS Hen and Chickens Islands, Hauraki (julf ; and seven from five 

 miles W. ^ N. from Cuvier Island, Hauraki Gulf, 38 fathoms. 



Remarks. — The sculpture is rather variable ; sometimes the spirals are 

 more prominent than on the holotype, and in some specimens the axials 

 are coarser and wider apart. In either case the four spirals are a coiistant 

 character, as even if the extra spirals are present they are only fine threads. 

 One or two of the paratypes at first sight resemble L. thomsoni, from 

 which they are easily distinguished by the fewer spirals and absence of 

 spiral sculpture on the base. 



Mr. C. Hedley, who saw specimens of both species, said thev were 

 new species of the genus Leucosyrinx. They do not seem to be very 

 closely allied to any other New Zealand species, either Recent or fossil. 



Veprecula cooperi n. sp. (Plate VIII, fig. 6.) 



Off the Hen and Chickens Islands, Hauraki Gulf, N.Z. ; 25-30 fathoms. 



Shell small, fragile, fusiform, slender, prickly. Spire pagodiform. 

 Whorls 5, plus a three-whorled embryonic apex, which is finely longitudinally 

 ribbed ; whorls convex, contracting rapidly. Sculpture, four sharp raised 

 spiral ribs, crossed by about twelve equally sharp raised axial ribs, which 

 disappear below the fourth spiral, and are interrupted above by the 

 broad anal faseiole. The intersection of the ribs is marked by a sharp 

 prickle ; between the raised ribs are deep oblong pits, the surface of which 

 is smooth and dull. The anal faseiole is crossed by fine cresceutic growth- 

 lines, and bordered on its outer edge by a narrow double thread. AvmI 

 slit nearly 1 mm. in length. Suture distinct, serrated by the lowest spiral. 

 Coming from inside the vertical columella and covering the base and canal 

 are about twelve fine equidistant spiral threads. Canal short, open, very 

 slightly recurved. Outer lip thin, sharp ; in the holotype it is slightly 

 thickened by the last axial rib ; the inner surface is deeply grooved by 

 the spirals, and less so by the axials. Colour uniform light biscuit-brown. 

 Operculum unknown. Animal unknown. 



Measurements. — Holotype : Height, 5 mm. ; diameter, 2 mm. 



Material. — Eighty-six from type locality, and forty-nine others from 

 the Hauraki Gulf and North Cape, at depths ranging from 26 to 73 

 fathoms, 



Remarks. — So far as I can see at present, this species has no near ally 

 in the New Zealand molluscan fauna. Its nearest allv seems to be 



