DESCRIPTION OF SHELLS. 193 
Belosepia Oweni. (Tab. IX. fig. 13.) 
Spec. Cuar.—Callus perpendicular; spine short, thick, acute, depressed 
above, rounded on the sides and beneath; ventral cavity terminating near the 
lunate extremity of the ventral plate. 
Length and breadth of the spine equal. 
The ventral plate, as usual in the genus, is striated in rays from the end of the 
ventral cavity, is semicircular and but little extended; the point of the beak is 
slightly turned upwards and has no carina, or only a minute one. The very short 
spine distinguishes it from all the species described by Deshayes ; the nearest is 
B. Cuvieri, but the figures quoted forbid its being referred to that species. Fig. a. 
represents the ordinary form ; fig. 6. shows a young individual with the spine 
more acuminated. It is dedicated to Professor Owen, who has laboured so suc- 
cessfully among the Cephalopods. 
Belosepia brevispina. (Tab. IX. fig. 14.) 
Spec. Cuar.—Callus perpendicular ; spine very short, small, convex above, 
thick, acute ; ventral plate lunate, thin. 
Spine wider than long. 
In this specimen the ventral plate is evidently much worn, and has thus lost its 
toothed edge. The small and extremely short beak is the distinguishing mark. 
The other four species I distinguish by the following characters, and trust 
they are the species defined by Deshayes ; probably the first two should be united. 
The spines of all four are sharply keeled along a great portion of the upper part. 
Belosepia Cuvieri, Voltz*. (Tab. IX. fig. 11.) 
Callus perpendicular ; spine thick, bent upwards ; ventral plate elongated. 
Belosepia Blainvillii. (Tab. IX. figs. 10?, 16 & 17.) 
Callus inclined backwards ; spine bent upwards ; ventral plate short. 
Fig. 10 is an intermediate form, and smoother on the back than the true B. 
Blanvilli. The specimens figs. 16 & 17 are from Sheppey ; they were presented 
by Professor Owen. Fig. 17 is referred to above; it is the most perfect yet dis- 
covered. 
* Mém. sur les Belemnites, p. 23, t. 2. f. 6. The figures referred to by Deshayes do not all accord 
with his description. 
