OF CONCHO LOGY. 149 



"With one or two doubtful exceptions, the genus Bucxinum 

 is restricted geographically to the temperate and frigid seas 

 of the Northern Hemisphere. More careful examination, both 

 of the shell and soft parts of the Antarctic species (such as 

 B. Antarcticum and B. Zealandicum) referred to the genus, is 

 required, before deciding upon their actual pertinence to it. 



" Geologically, the history of the genus commences in the 

 Pliocene formation. They are found in the European Ter- 

 tiary deposits of that age, even as far south as the shores of 

 the Mediterranean. They become very numerous in the Ple- 

 istocene deposits both of Europe and North America, but 

 reach their maximum development in the existing seas. 



"I have endeavored to include in the following review all 

 the species which certainly belong to the genus. As to the 

 B. Dalei of Sowerby, and the B. ovoides of Middendorff, if we 

 may rely upon the accuracy of the observation of Mr. Alder, 

 on the lingual dentition of the former, as detailed in Forbes 

 & Hanley's 'British Mollusca,' Vol. IV., p. 284, these species 

 are not true Buccinums. Mr. Alder says : — ' Its tongue differs 

 from that of Buccinum undatum, as well as from those of 

 the allied species of the genus Fusus, and makes a slight ap- 

 proach to that of Mangelia. It has a single plain and slightly 

 curved tooth on each side, and a very thin non-denticulated 

 plate in the centre.' This statement clearly indicates the ex- 

 istence of a distinct generic group, for which we would pro- 

 pose the name Liomesus, with Buccinum Dalei as the type. I 

 have specimens of L. ovoides from Behring's Straits." 



The species (15 in number) are described very fully, with 

 the synonymy very carefully worked out. We have carefully 

 compared Dr. Stimpson's results with the original figures and 

 descriptions, as well as such specimens as we could examine, 

 and are very glad to corroborate his views in almost every 

 instance. There are other genera of shells represented on 

 our coast, that need the same careful study, and we trust, 

 therefore, that Dr. Stimpson will continue his investigations. 

 Two of the species are new : — 



B. plectrum, and B. Tottenii. 

 We have only space left for reproducing, with the addition 

 of the geographical distribution, a 



"Synoptic Table of the Species of Buccinum. 

 A. Body-whorl angulated or carinated 



a. Primary transverse ridges flat ; secondary ridges incon- 

 spicuous. 

 1. Shell thin; aperture not patulous ; outer lip not sinu- 

 ated. 



