406 Records of the Indian Museum. [Violen Vilbe 
very highly developed on the right side (pl. xxxii, 
fig. 22, Zy.). Position of supra-intestinal ganglion 
variable. One otolith in each otocyst. 
The Volutidae are a family of the Stenoglossa Rhachiglossa 
with the following characters, according to Bouvier :— 
Externals (pls. xxviii-xxx, figs. I—5). A fore-roof (Fore- 
R.) above and in front of the mouth, covering a part of the front 
end of the foot. Cn this are the reduced tentacles (t.), and, 
behind them, at the sides, the oculiferous projections (e.). Inner- 
vation shows that this fore-roof is due to concrescence and en- 
largement of the tentacle-bases. A strong, rather short siphon (S.) 
with a large thin projection on each side of the siphonal gutter 
(R.S.T. and L.S.T.). A fairly short proboscis and sheath. 
Alimentary canal (pl. xxx, figs. 5—7). A pair of normal, race- 
mose, buccal glands (R.B.G.) forming a mass from which the ducts 
go far forwards, becoming engaged in the gut-wall on the way. 
Accessory glands of tubular form (T.B.G.), typically uniting before 
they reach the gut, the common duct lying in the ventral wall of 
the radular sac and opening very far forwards, almost into the 
mouth. 
Nervous system (pl. xxxii, figs. 21—22). Cerebral ganglia fused 
to form a trapezium. Pleurals barely separated from cerebrals. 
Supra-intestinal ganglion relatively very far from the right pleural 
(but in thus generalising Bouvier is probably wrong). Subintes- 
tinal ganglion almost continuous with left-pleural, zygoneurous (Zy.) 
connection with the right pleural short and broad. 
Pilsbry-Tryon describes the Volutidae as characterized by the 
radula :— 
Tooth formula 0-1-0, the tooth being tricuspid with large 
lateral points in Cymbium, Melo, Voluta, Hyria, etc. In Voluta 
musica the tooth is multicuspid and very transverse. In Amora 
the tooth is unicuspid with a concave base. 
The genus Melo is defined by shell characters and Pilsbry 
thinks the absence of an operculum is not proven for many of 
them. Adams states that the animal is ovoviviparous, the young 
ones being arranged in the oviduct of the female in a long string 
without egg-shells. In Voluta, the mantle is not so greatly ex- 
panded as in Cymbium and Melo and the foot is proportionately 
not so large. Volutid shells are rarely collected with the animal 
except when accidentally thrown ashore after a storm. The 
reason is that, like the Naticae, they bury themselves under the 
surface as soon as the water falls and the sand is left dry by the 
tide (Gray). 
Haller’s papers on the Rhachiglossa relate to Buccinids and 
Purpurids for the most part. Bouvier examined Voluta neptunt 
which is said to belong to the genus Melo. Woodward worked at 
Voluta (Cymbiola) ancilla, Sol., Neptuneopsis gilchristt, Sby., and 
Volutilithes abyssicola, Ad. and Reeve. My results are in very 
general agreement with his. 
