214 ^^J^- Cosmo Melyill on the 



any conchologists who may collect it, or what they suppose 

 to be it, in any quantity, to send a supply home either to 

 the National Museum or to private collections, that we may 

 have an opportunity of judging in England as to its specific 

 merits. Neither Mr. Sowerby, Mr. E. A. Smith, or myself 



have ever seen a specimen. 



***** 



A truly distinct and extraordinary form has, however, 

 lately come to hand from Hong Kong, where it was collected 

 by Dr. Hungerford. Through the kindness of Mr. Sowerby 

 I have become possessed of this shell, and have much 

 pleasure in appending a photographic representation of both 

 it and typical caput serpentis for comparison (Fig. i, i% 2, 2^). 

 The specimen of the latter selected is much the most clearly 

 marked I have ever seen. The following is a description : — 

 C. caput draconis (sp. nov.). C. testa ovata, convexa, 

 solida, dorso elevato-rotundo, apertura latiore quam in C. 

 capite serpentis, dentibus utrinque quinquedecim, dorso 

 brunneo confuse et obscure reticulato, lateribus strictis, 

 nequaquam depressis, extremitatibus cinereo-nigris, dentibus 

 cinereo brunnescentibus, basi et apertura^ fauce brunneo- 

 nigris. Long, i^ inch ; lat. -h inch. Hab., Hong Kong. 



This shell differs from the type C. caput serpentis in 

 many ways. 



(i) In the straightness of the sides, 

 (ii) Greater convexity, 

 (iii) Difference of marking, and descent of the pattern 



almost to the base, 

 (iv) Wider and greater sinuosity of aperture, 

 (v) Dark ash coloured extremities, 

 (vi) Flattened dark coloured base, as in C.Mauritiana. 

 From C. caput angnis it would appear, comparing it with 

 Philippi's description, to be distinct in the following par- 

 ticulars : — 



(i) Sides not thickened, "incrassatis." 

 (ii) Base not convex. 



