132 



marked in the younger stages of growth ; aperture ovate, con- 

 tracted in front ; columella slightly twisted ; anterior canal very 

 long, sinuous, and almost closed. 



The protoconch of this species is peculiar, and it may hereafter 

 lead to the establishment of a new subgenus for the inclusion 

 of this and kindred forms of Fusus. The sharp point at its 

 commencement, the granulated character of the earlier portion 

 generally, together with the irregular scar-like ridge (Plate V. 

 Figs, bor-h), are suggestive of a pre-existing horny protoconch, 

 similar to that found in living Scaphella. 



M. Cossmann ' doubtfully referred F. hexagonaUs to Latirofusiis, 

 but although the columella is twisted it carries no plication, at 

 least in any of the Museum specimens. A remarkable feature in 

 this shell is that the growth-lines are raised into arched scales at 

 the suture. 



The figure accompanying Professor Tate's description indicates 

 that the longitudinal costa3 are absent on the body-whorl. This 

 appears to be merely an individual characteristic, as a specimen in 

 the Museum, of older growth, apparently, than the type specimen, 

 still retains the angulate costse to the end ; though, unfortunately, 

 the anterior canal is broken off. 



Dimensions (of a perfect specimen). — Length 19 mm.; breadth 

 4 mm. ; length of aperture 3 mm. ; length of canal 7 '5 mm. 



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



G. 4744. Two specimens. 



Presented hy Professor T. Rupert Jones, F.R.S. 



G. 9436. Examples of the neanic and adult stages. Purchased. 



Fusus dictyotis, Tate. 



1888. Fusus dictyotis, Tate, Trans. Eoy. Soc. South Aust. vol. x. p. 135, 



pi. vii. figs. 2, 6. 

 1893. Fusus dictyotis, Tate and Dennant, id. vol. xvii. pt. 1, p. 219. 

 1895. Fusus dictyotis, Tate and Dennant, id. vol. xix. pt. 1, p. 111. 



If we restrict Fusus to those forms having a perfectly straight 

 columella and anterior canal, the species now under description 

 would not fall therein ; but there seems to be no necessity for 



' Ann. Geol. Univ. t. v. 1889, p. 1089. 



