464 Transactions, 



must displace Siphonalia on p. 368. Here only must be noted that Megala- 

 tractus as a member of the family Turbinellidae is not a constituent of the 

 Neozelanic fauna. 



Genus Taron (Hutton, 1883). [P. 358.] 



It was quite unnecessary to reduce Hutton's generic name to a synonym 

 of Latirus, and thus also dispose of Hutton's specific name as invalid. 

 Taron dubius Hutton, 1883, should be resumed for the species Suter in- 

 cludes as Latirus huttoni. Even if the relationship of the species with 

 Latirus be admitted, the shell is sufficiently characterized for the genus 

 Taron to stand on its own merits. In the British Museum it has two 

 different locations, but neither approach Latirus, though as that genus is 

 now shown it is obviously polyphyletic, and segregation is demanded, not 

 the additional congregation of distinctive forms. 



Eeference to Mr. E. A. Smith, I.S.O., confirmed my conclusion, and he 

 stated he could see little or no relationship with Latirus, and MelvilFs 

 generic groups are noteworthy for their polymorphic aggregations and are 

 not natural. 



Mitra carbonaria (Swainson, 1822). [P. 361.] 



Hedley (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. xxxviii, p. 312, 1913) has added 

 "Mitra badia Reeve, Conch. Icon., ii, f. 157. Hab. ? M.C.," from examina- 

 tion of the type, to the synonymy of this species. Suter's remarks as to 

 the occurrence of this species in New Zealand read, " Only worn and empty 

 shells have hitherto been found. The type is from Port Jackson, New 

 South Wales.'' The specimens I obtained at the Kermadecs were in the 

 same condition, but they fairly well agree with specimens I collected at 

 Port Jackson. I, however, note that, preserved in the British Museum, 

 there are some shells named " Mitra rutila A. Ad., New Zealand." It is 

 quite probable that this locality is wrong, but these shells have a superficial 

 resemblance to Mitra carbonaria Swainson. 



Genus Verconella Iredale. [P. 368.] 



Siphonalia is admitted by Suter, three subgenera being recognized — 

 Siphonalia s. str., Penion, and Auslrofusus. The typical Japanese species 

 have no close relationship with the Neozelanic species so called, and the 

 genus-name Siphonalia must be dropped from the Neozelanic list. The 

 former recall Cominella, next to which they are placed in the British 

 Museum, whilst the Neozelanic shells are not associated with them, but 

 placed next to Fusus (sensu lato). I advocated in the Proc. Mai. Soc. 

 (Lond.), vol. x, p. 223, 1912. the rejection of Siphonalia and the acceptance 

 of Penion for the Austro-Neozelanic group, there also stating that Siphonalia 

 maxima Tryon must accompany S. dilatata (Quoy and Gaimard), and be 

 removed from the genus Megalatr actus, where Kesteven had placed it 

 through ignorance of the essential differential features of the animals. 



Hedley (Biol. Pes. "Endeavour," vol. ii, pt. 2, p. 73, 1914) has endorsed 

 my suggestion, recording Penion maximus (Tryon) and P. tvaitei (Hedley). 

 Previously Dr. Verco (Trans. Roy. Soc, South Austr., vol. xxxvi, p. 221, 

 1912 (1913) ) had lumped Siphonalia maxima Tryon with S. dilatata " Quoy 

 and Gaimard." This confirms my conclusion of the very close alliance 

 of these two, as I considered them only congeneric, while Dr. Verco has 

 reduced this grade by making them conspecific. 



