350 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MALACOLOGICAL SOCIKTY. 



This subspecies is very much like the large conical form of argentea, 

 Q. & G., but distinguished from it chiefly by the very numerous (about 

 70) fine and uniform radiate riblets, the olive colour of the shell, and 

 the black margin on the inner edge, which, however, is not a constant 

 character. 



The dentition was described and figured by Hutton in Trans. New 

 Zeal. Inst., vol. xv, pi. xvi, fig. D. 



Hah. — From Sumner, near Lyttelton, along the east coast to 

 Preservation Inlet, South Island. Rather rare, but always together 

 with arge7itea, Q. & G. 



4. Helcioniscus stelliferus (Gmelin). 



Patella steJlifera, Gmelin : Syst. Nat., vol. xiii (1789), p. 3719. 



„ stellularia, Quoy & Gaimard : Voy. Astrolabe, Zool., vol. iii 

 (1834), p. 347, pi. Ixx, figs. 18-20. 

 Helcioniscus stelliferus, Pilsbry : Man. Conch. (1), vol. xiii, p. 141, 

 pi. Ixx, figs. 43-45, 



Usually the shell is reddish, but cream- white, cinereous, and purplish- 

 black specimens occur occasionally. The white rays at the apex, 

 forming the typical star, very often extend to the margin, and their 

 number is very variable. 



This species no doubt lives in deeper water, as only empty shells 

 washed up on the beach are obtained. I know only of one specimen 

 having been found alive at Island Bay, near Wellington. The animal 

 and dentition are unknown. 



Hah. — From Cape Maria van Diemen to Banks' Peninsula, but 

 nowhere common. 



N. subsp. phjmatia. 



Distinguished from the species by the high conical form and the 

 strongly nodulous ribs. The shell is solid, oval or oblong, high 

 conical, the height somewhat less than half the length of the shell ; 



apex at about the front third, more or less denuded. There are about 

 24 strongly nodulous radiate ribs, crossed by strong concentric lines 

 of growth. As in the species, a white star or white bands extending 

 to the margin are present, and the colour is yellowish red. The 

 anterior slope is straight or slightly convex. Interior silvery white, 

 central area white, sometimes tinged with light brown. Length 27, 

 breadth 21, height 12 mm. 



The animal and dentition are unknown. 



Hah. — Together with the species. 



Type in my collection. 



