Ne'W Species of Natica. 65 



We uio surprised thiit Messrs. Pilsl)ry and Vanatta did not dis- 

 cover this fact, as Tenison-Woods states, amongst other clearly ex- 

 pressed items, " Columella somewhat thin, with a prominent cal- 

 losity spirally sulcate." In Messrs. Tate and May's figure the cal- 

 losity is not sulcate. 



We adhere to our opinion that the slight differences existing 

 between A', didyina^ and N . tasmanica do not warrant the latter 

 being considered a distinct species, and are of opinion that there 

 is a closer resemblance between the two than we can discern between 

 iY. clidi/iiKi and X . hicolor. The last-named is classed by Messrs. 

 Pilsbry ami Vajiatta as a variety of S . didyma. 



Whether the shell be considered to be a distinct species, a variety, 

 or a synonym, the name given to it by Tenison-Woods has prece- 

 dence, and P. aidncogJossa^ Pilsbry and Vanatta, becomes a synonym. 



Natica controversa, sp. nov. (PI. VII., Figs. \-:\). 



IDUl. Natica tasmanica, 'J'ate and May. (non T. Woods), Proc. 

 Lin. Soc. N.S.W., vol. xxvi., p. 375, pi. 25, f. 49. 



Shell rather small, solid, globose, whorls about five, smooth, but 

 for the slightly irregular lines of growth, spire short and slightly 

 exsert, aperture ovate, outer lip rather strong, suture well defined 

 with a strong enamel thickening internally; at the anterior end of 

 the columella there is a narrow but defined tooth-like ridge, umbili- 

 cus angled, deep, about one-third of it covered by a semilunate cal- 

 losity, which is convexly rounded on its surface, and does not bear 

 any trace of a transverse sulcation. Colour light yellowish white ; on 

 the body whorl there are two indistinct, darker encircling bands, the 

 upper one being the broader, and extending from a little below the 

 suture to the periphery; the other is narrow and near the base; there 

 is also a light-coloured band below and adjoining the suture, due to 

 the internal thickening. 



Dimensions o/ ry/Je.— Height. 15; bieadth, 17 mm. 



Locality. — South Coast, Tasmania. 



Observations. — This is the species which was figured in error by 

 Messrs. Tate and May (cited above), as representing iV. tasmanica, 

 Tenison-Woods, and referred to by us in the foregoing remarks 

 upon that species. 



Type in the National Museum, Melbourne; liitherto unnamed 

 specimens No. 36265-6, have been on view since October, 1876, We 

 have chosen No. 36265 as type. We have recently received two 



1 Of this species we have before 118 an example from .lapaii, verified hy comparison with the 

 shell under that name in the British Museum by Mr. C. .). Gabriel in 1S07. 



