136 MOLLUSCA. 
I have been somewhat minute in the description of this species, 
which I think is distinct from several closely allied ones which have 
been described. Indeed, the young, intermediate, and old, are so diffe- 
rent in this species, that they might well be regarded as distinct spe- 
cies when seen separately, as has been done in other instances. By 
means of a series of specimens, it is easy to trace the variations by age. 
It is most nearly allied to M. funiculus, Quoy, being about the same size 
and shape when entire ; but the aperture is much longer and more acute 
posteriorly, and the surface is different; and M. aspirans, Hinds, which 
is a still larger and more solid shell, with more numerous and less 
convex whorls, darker and scarcely variegated in colour, and with but 
a few scattered, coarsish, revolving strie; the aperture is similar, but 
the lip in old specimens has a yolk-yellow tinge. This shell may be 
known by its dark, pitchy colour in the three or four adult whorls, 
gradually changing to pale fawn-colour, with, at the same time, a 
development of dark flammules; the closely and minutely striated 
surface, seen only on close examination, and the velvety epidermis on 
fresh young specimens. It appears to be very common at the Samoa 
Islands, less so at the Feejees. 
Figure 156, the animal and shell; 156 @, locomotive disc of the ani- 
mal; 1566, a young shell, with the animal, to show the velvet epi- 
dermis ; 156 c, young shell, to show the colouring ; 156 d, profile of the 
aperture; 156 e, the operculum. 
MELANIA LuTosa (Gould). 
Testa crassa, elongato-turrita, striis tenuibus cincta, fusco-castanea, et 
crusta levi, lutosa, crassa, rubiginosa, omnino obtecta: spira anfrac- 
tibus septem superstitibus convexis ; suturd profundd: apertura obo- 
vala, vix effusa, peristomate rufo-limbato ; fauce livida: operculum 
crassum, osseum, subsprrale. 
Melania lutosa, Goutpy; Proceed. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 11. 223. 
June 1847. Expedition Shells, 45. 
ANimAL with the proboscis very large and broad, of an umber co- 
lour above, delicately lineated with white transversely; tentacles 
