105 



anteriorly, where they are mingled with the numerous longi- 

 tudinal strios more pronounced on that part of the shell ; columella 

 with four oblique, thin, and sharp plaits. 



Professor Tate remarks that this is intermediate between 

 V. lirata and (what is here called) Scaphella sarissa, though 

 differing from the latter by its "puUus" and the absence of 

 pronounced spiral sculpture. So far as general form is concerned, 

 that observation may be endorsed ; but, if close genetic relationship 

 with >Si. sarissa be implied, that view must be dissented from, 

 as the species arose from another line of development in the 

 VoLUTiDiE, There can be no question, however, of its immediate 

 connection with V. lirata, from which it differs in shape and 

 by the well-developed costae. 



Dimensions. — Length 43 mm.; breadth 16-5 mm. ; length of 

 aperture 24 mm. 



Form, and Loc. — Eocene : Muddy Creek, Victoria. 



G. 4277, Three specimens, including a fine example of the 

 neanic stage of growth. Presented hy John Bennant, Esq. 



G. 9356. An example of the adult. Purchased. 



Voluta (Aulica) ellipsoidea, Tate. 



1888. Voluta ellipsoidea, Tate, Trans. Eoy. Soc. South Aust. vol. x. p. 176 



(explanation of plate only), pi. xiii. fig. 4. 



1889. Voluta ellipsoidea, Tate, id. vol. xi. p. 127. 



The only example in the Museum is a young specimen, well 

 preserved, and exhibiting the characters of the elevated trochoid 

 protoconch and brephic and neanic stages to perfection. From 

 this it may be gleaned that the ornauient first to appear, and 

 just prior to the escape of the animal from its capsule, was the 

 longitudinal ribbing; the ribs are small and close together, and, 

 with the growth of the shell, gradually develop into fine longi- 

 tudinal striae. In the brephic stage, bold spiral lineations make 

 their appearance, and these persist to the neanic stage ; at the 

 same rate of progression they should, however, become almost 

 obsolete in the adult. The suture is slightly incised, and the 

 whorls are somewhat constricted posteriorly in its vicinity. The 

 columella is slightly callous, and has four distinct plaits. 



The protoconch is very similar to that of V. lirata and 



