188 ALCIRA, j^SOPUS, ENGINA. 



Genus ALCIRA, H. Adams. 



The single species of this group is readily distinguished from 

 other Colurabellse by its somewhat expanded, simple lip and 

 oblique columellar fold. 



A. ELEGANS, H. Adams. PI. 61, fig. 9. 



Shell elongate, reddish-brown ; whorls six, slightly convex, 

 transversely striated (the striae stronger and more numerous on 

 the basal portion of the last whorl), variegated with darker 

 markings, and with some lighter spots next the suture; aperture 

 equaling the spire in length. Length, 12-15 mill. 



Cape of Good Hope. 



Genus JESOPTJS, Gould. 



Shell fusiform, gibbous, widely truncate in front ; aperture 

 lunate, with a posterior callus, columella simple, vitreous ; suture 

 abnormally arcuate near the aperture. Animal white, emarginate 

 anteriorly, obtuse posteriorly, bearing a flabelliform corneous 

 operculum ; head small, with short obtuse tentacles ; eyes median, 

 external ; siphon broad and very short. The curious curve of 

 the suture near the posterior angle of the aperture, as if it had 

 been drawn backward, thereby pulling back this angle and 

 curving the last whorl downward, is very peculiar. The form 

 and aspect of the shell, and the structure of the animal, indicate 

 its place to be intermediate between Mitra and Columbella. 



JEi. Japonicus, Gould. 



Shell small, with seven somewhat tumid whorls, plicate poste- 

 riorly, covered by revolving striae ; last whorl widely truncate, 

 oval, three-fifths the length of the shell ; aperture lunate, the lip 

 reflected, columella with a wide, vitreous, suberect lamina; 

 chestnut-colored, lighter around the sutures. L. 1, diam. 2 mill. 

 Kagosima Bay, Japan; 5 fms., sandy bottom (Stimpson). 

 (Jnfigured, 



Genus ENGINA, Gray. 



Shell ovate-conic; spire sharp, with longitudinal nodulous 

 ribs, decussated by revolving lines or riblets ; aperture narrow, 

 with several oblique plications in front; outer lip thickened, 

 internally toothed, gibbous and grooved posteriorly. 



