TOLUTILITHES. 97 



Genus VOLUTILITHES, Swainson. 

 [Malacology, 1840, p. 318,] 



Shell fusiform ; spire conical ; protoconch small, rising to a more 

 or less acute apex ; whorls costate, typically spinose ; columellar 

 plications variable, several in number, those towards the anterior 

 generally being the most pronounced. 



The special character of the protoconch, and the peculiar dis- 

 position of the columellar plications, are highly distinctive features. 



Type.—Conus sjJtnosus, Linnaeus { = Strombus spinosus, Linnffius). 



Volutilithes antiscalaris, M'Coy (sp.). 



1874. Voluta antiscalaris, M'Coy, Prod. Pal. Yict. dec. i. p. 26. 

 1878. Voluta antiscalaris, E. Etheridge, jun., Cat. Aust. Foss. p. 170. 

 1889. Voluta antiscalaris, Tate, Trans. Roy. Soc. South Aust. vol. xi. p. 133. 



This species somewhat resembles V. scalaris, Sowerby, from 

 Barton, in Hampshire ; but, as Sir F. M'Coy points out, it may 

 be distinguished by its slightly longer spire, less ventricose body- 

 whorl, and the costae are less twisted. The protoconch (Plate lY. 

 Figs. %a-b) also in the Australian species is more obtuse, consisting 

 of one and a half smooth, rounded turns. The columellar pHcations 

 are remarkable ; in the neanic stage they are commonly from three 

 to four in number, but in the adult they range from six to twelve, 

 and possibly more. In the ephebic and gerontic stages the whole 

 of the plications are mounted on an elevated callosity. The 

 anterior portion of the columella is slightly excavated, a feature 

 especially noticeable in adult specimens. 



Compared with V. dejmuperatus, Sowerby, of the European 

 Upper Eocene, with which it presents considerable analogy, it is 

 found to possess a relatively longer aperture and a more obtuse 

 protoconch. 



Dimensions. — Length 53 mm. ; breadth 29 mm. ; length of 

 aperture 41 mm. 



Form, and Zoc— Eocene : Victoria and South Australia. 

 G. 4276. Two specimens ; from Muddy Creek. 



Presented hj John Dennanf, Esq. 



