476 Transactions 



shell is very closely related to N. lacunosa (Bruguiere), and T know of no 

 species classed in Drapa (sensii lato) that approaches it. The type of 

 Drupa is representative of a group which is well separated from the small 

 high-spired tuberculose species which the N. smitki Brazier vaguely recalls. 

 For this group, which I generieally separate. Schumacher's name Morula 

 is available. T will elaborate this matter in another place. 



Alcira inconstans (Suter, 1906). [P. 442.] 



This species was named Columbella variam by Hutton (Trans. N.Z. Inst., 

 vol. xvii, 1884, p. 314, pi. 18. fig. 2 (1885) ), and as this name was invalid on 

 account of the prior Columbella varians Sowerby, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 

 18-32, p. 118, it was altered to the above specific nam*- liter himself 



in 1906. The recognition of the species as referable to the genus Alcira 

 does not validate the invalid species-name. 



Suter has distributed the Neozelanic " Columbellids " in four generu. 

 the genus-name Columbella being eliminated from our fauna. I em- 

 phatically approve of his action, though it may be that the generic names 

 selected by Suter will not prove the most acceptable when a monographic 

 resume of the family is undeitaken. T have many species to stud}' from 

 Lord Howe. Norfolk, and the Kermadec Islands, and will investigate the 

 status of the Neozelanic species at the same time. 



Ancilla novaezelandiae (Sowerby, 1859). [P. 453.] 



Through an extraordinary mistake this species is named Ancilla bicolor 

 Gray, 1847. a remark being given, " The above synonymy is based on in- 

 formation kindly supplied to me by Mr. E. A. Smith. I.S.O., of the British 

 Museum." 



Hedley (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. xxxviii, p. 302, 1913) has indi- 

 cated how this error occurred, and that Ancillaria tricolor was described 

 by Grav at the place given from " Cape York, on sand : cabinet of Mr. 

 Cuming." He also showed that Cray's specific name fell as a synonym of 

 the prior Ancillaria cingulata Sowerby. 1830, but that the Australian and 

 Neozelanic species were quite distinct. 



Confirmation of Hedley's data shows that the above name becomes 

 valid for the latter, and replaces Ancilla bicolor Suter, there being no such 

 species as A. bicolor Cray, the name being A. tricolor Gray. 



Bathytoma zealandica (E. A. Smith, 1877). [P. 491.] 



This name must be resumed for the species called Bathytoma checseinani 

 Hutton, 1878, Suter's reason reading, " As Mr. E. A. Smith's species was 

 never figured, I give preference to Hutton's name." 



Mangilia? amoena (E. A. Smith, 1884). [P. 502.] 



In the same manner this name must be used instead of Mangilia pro- 

 i> nsa Hutton, 1885, selected for the same reason as the preceding by Suter. 

 I have placed a ? after the genus used by Suter, because I have not yet 

 studied this difficult group sufficiently to publish the most acceptable genera 

 to be used for Neozelanic shells. Dall's conclusion is that Mangilia is not 

 applicable to the shells commonly so called, but the correct alternative in 

 most cases is not given, his notes only referring to North American species. 



