VOLUTIDiE. 157 



animal which forms the shell has not yet been discovered; 

 they are confined to very warm climates, inhabiting only 

 the Philippines, the Galapagos, the West Indies, and the 

 Pacific Islands. 



Species of Mazza. 



fusus, Sow. rapa, Lam. 



ovoidea, Kie7i. scolymus, Gmel. 



pyrum, Linn, 



Fam. VOLUTID^. 



Teeth on lingual membrane in a single central series, 

 often toothed. Head large, with the eyes sessile on the 

 sides below the base of the tentacles; tentacles far apart, 

 united by a broad veil over the head. Mantle sometimes 

 greatly developed, covering the sides of the shell ; siphon 

 recurved, short, with auricles on each side of the base. 

 Foot very large, partly hiding the shell. . 



Operculum none. 



Shell with distinct plaits on the columella; apex of 

 spire mamillated. 



The family of Volutes comprises a suite of large shells 

 remarkable for their great beauty and elegance of form. 

 They are equatorial in their geographical distribution; as 

 many as sixty-four species are natives of the Australian 

 Seas, and about a dozen species are found in the great 

 eastern ocean from Java to Japan ; the coast of Africa 

 and the shores of Madagascar harbour a few; some are 

 from the east and west parts of South America; and 

 about four inhabit the West Indies and the Gulf of 

 Mexico. 



