GASTEROPODA. 137 
rather stout, points of the mantle whitish, well developed: foot not 
much developed at the angles, orange beneath. 
A simple, elongated, turreted shell, rather solid, of a dark rusty 
brown, somewhat shining exterior. On examination, it is found to be 
incrusted with a thick coat of earthy matter, which readily scales off. 
Beneath this is found a delicate true epidermis, of a dark chestnut- 
colour, and beneath it, the shell is grooved with fine spiral lines. 
The apex is detruncated, and there are about seven moderately con- 
vex whorls remaining, sloping to a simple suture. The aperture is 
about one-fourth or one-third the length of the shell, obovate, un- 
usually rounded and entire at base. The throat is livid in the adult 
shells, and its entire circumference is margined by a rich brown, by 
which the species may be distinguished. The operculum is thick, 
approaching to bone, the apex marginal and basal, elements subspiral. 
Length an inch and three-fourths ; breadth half an inch. 
Inhabits Upolu, Samoa Islands. Cowthouy. 
This simple and graceful shell, has much the form of M. virginica, 
Say, or M. decollata, Lk. It is well distinguished by the broad, deep 
brown margin to its whitish aperture, and by its bony operculum. 
It is remarkable for the very thick earthy crust which envelopes it ; 
it is so smooth, and so like the usual colour of these shells, as to be 
readily mistaken for the true surface of the shell. By examining the 
tip, its true nature is readily detected. 
Figure 159, shell with the animal; 159 a, the animal seen from be- 
neath ; 159 4, profile of the aperture ; 159 c, the operculum. 
Me ania corporosa (Gould ). 
Testa subulato-conica, decollata, nitida, olivaceo-castanea, juxta suturam 
cerina, strius plerumque minimis decussata: spira anfractibus ad 
quinis conveziusculis ; sutura profunda et marginata: apertura an- 
gusta, pyriformis, anticé viz producta ; intus livida ; columella albida. 
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