﻿8 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 59 



VOLUTA ALFAROI, new species 



Shell about the size of V .^ musica, smooth except for about a dozen 

 rather obscure rounded ribs, most prominent at the shoulder and on 

 the spire. Aperture with the outer lip smooth inside, the inner lip 

 with five major and six or more alternate minor plaits ; whorls five 

 exclusive of the nucleus which is minute, smooth, and of about two 

 whorls only slightly more swollen than the succeeding whorl. Near 

 the canal are 7-10 feeble spiral threads with wide interspaces; the 

 canal is deep and the end of the pillar projects in a sharp point 

 beyond it. Length of shell 51, max. diameter 27 mm. Diameter of 

 nucleus 2 mm. 



Station 5882 i, Costa Rica, MacDonald. Type, U. S. Nat. Mus. 



214347- 



This species, probably a precursor of V. musica, is instantly dis- 

 tinguishable by the different character of its nucleus. From young 

 specimens of V. virescens it is known by its rounder form and the 

 absence of the conspicuous spiral sculpture of V. virescens. It is an 

 abundant and characteristic species of the same horizon as the pre- 

 ceding. It is named in honor of Don Anastasio Alfaro, Director of 

 the National Museum of Costa Rica at San Jose. 



TURBO PITTIERI, new species 



Shell small, smooth, with five or more whorls, the nucleus lost, 

 the subsequent whorls slightly flattened and the suture smoothly 

 appressed ; coloration distinctly retained and consisting of spiral 

 bands of red of varying width on a yellowish ground, the bands 

 articulated or interrupted by small loops of lighter color, exactly as 

 in some banded forms of Turbo petholatus L. ; aperture defective 

 but obviously similar to that of T. petholatus except that the pillar 

 lip is elevated and rounded with a narrow arcuate umbilical chink 

 behind it. The operculum was not obtained. Height 19; max. 

 diameter of base 18; min. diameter 14; height of aperture 11 ; of 

 last whorl 16 mm. 



Station : Colline en demolition, Limon, Costa Rica, Prof. H. Pit- 

 tier. Type, U. S. Nat. Mus. 214349. 



The remarkable point about this species is that the group to which 

 it belongs is not represented on either coast of the Americas but is 

 distinctly oriental. It is one of an interesting collection obtained in 

 the vicinity of Limon by Prof. Pittier, some years ago, and presented 

 by him to the National Museum. The species is named in his 

 honor. 



