^%L^'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 321 



121. Purpura columellaris Lam. 



Three specimeus, from 1 to 2| inches long. 



Mauta. 



122. Purpura patula Linn. 



Four fresh specimens, from three-quarters to 2-i\r inches long. 

 Chatham Island, Galapagos. 



123. Purpura patula Liun, variety. 



One fresh specimen between this and P. columellaris. 

 Chatham Island, Galapagos. 



124. Purpura planospira Lam. 



Six specimens. If to 2^ inches in length — \7^ery heavy. 

 Manta. 



125. Purpura chocolata Duclos. 



Several specimens. 



Pacasmayo. 



Althongh the general facies of this species is quite characteristic, 

 yet it often exhibits much variation. Some individuals have promi- 

 nent knobs on both the body whorl and the preceding volution, others 

 are noduled only on the last whorl. Examples often occur that are 

 smooth throughout, excepting a single strong node near the edge of 

 the outer lip. Again some individuals are chunky, short, and heavy, 

 others have an elevated and somewhat acute spire ; the buccinoid 

 aspect of the young shells is noteworthy. 



126. Purpura kiosquiformis Duclos. 

 = Cuma kiosquiformis Auct. 



Beach specimens. 



Panama. 



It is a quite variable species as remarked by Carpenter. He refers 

 to it as scarce at Mazatlan, but both W. J. Fisher and Henry Edwards 

 collected many examples, several of quite large size at that place. It 

 is also found at other places on the Gulf of California. Dr. Edward 

 Palmer collected numerous specimens at Guaymas ; Fisher also found 

 it at Boca de los Piedras, Sinaloa ; both farther north than Mazatlan. 

 There is no good reason, as far as shell characters are considered, for 

 placing thisaud the preceding species in the genus Cymia=Cuma. The 

 type of Cymia is the species tectum, which is a markedly character- 

 istic form distinct and distinguished from all the other species that 

 lave been associated with it by authors, by the strong angular protn- 

 aerance or process on the columella, which is a definite and permanent 

 eature, never exhibited or even suggested by any of the others. 

 Vlany of the so-called Cumas are simply Purpuras ; others might be 

 Grouped with Bapana. 



Proc. N. M. 01 21 



