Mr. G. B. Sowerby on a new Volute. 



611 



LXVII. — Description of a new Volute. 

 By G. B. Sowerby, F.L.S. 



The beautiful shell, of which I append a short diagnosis and 

 figure, belongs to Gray's subgenus Amoria, several of the 

 species of which are so similar in form that it would be 

 difficult to distinguish them apart from the very striking and 

 constant differences in the character of their colour-markings, 

 which always render them easily distinguishable. I think it 

 therefore convenient to call these shells by the several specific 

 names by which they are so well known, leaving the question 

 of species or varieties an open one. 



The shell here described is similar to one figured in the 

 "Voyage of H.M.S. * Alert,' " pi. v. fig. K (1881-2), as a 

 variety of V. votva, from Thursday Island, Torres Straits. 



<4 



Valuta (Amoria) gatliffi, Sowerby (figure reduced). 



Shell oblong, smooth, witli only faint longitudinal striaj or 

 growth-lines ; pale flesh- or cream-colour, conspicuously 

 marked with reddish-brown irregularly waved longitudinal 

 streaks, which partly coalesce, forming two broken chain-like 

 transverse bands, with strong mostly angular markings and 

 here and there diamond-shaped spaces. Spire acuminated, 

 rather sharp at the apex, then slightly convex; whorls 

 smooth, very slightly convex; suture distinct, filled with a 

 thin enamel, forming a light orange band. Body-whorl long, 

 rather cylindrical in form, tapering slightly at each end. 

 Columella furnished with four very oblique plaits, and a 

 prominent ridge crossing obliquely from the base of the 

 shell and entering the aperture above the plaits gives the 

 appearance of a fifth. Interior of the aperture smooth, 

 shining, stained with orange-brown. 



Length 95, greatest breadth 35 mm. 



Hob. Port Keats, Northern Territory, Australia. 



I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Gatliff for the opportunity of 

 giving a name to this handsome shell. 



