106 



Figure. 



Pyhula MAWiK. PI. 9. Fig. 41. Shell showing the apertm-e, smooti 

 columella, and large umbilicus. — From Mr. Cuming's collection. 



Genus 6. FICULA, Stoainson. 



Animal ; disk oblong, attenuated posteriorly, rounded in front, 

 vnth a small acuminated lobe on ea6h side ; no operculum ; 

 head small, with two small cylindrical tentacles more or less 

 exserted, beneath the base of lohich on each side is situated 

 the eye, sessile ; proboscis capable of considerable elongation; 

 mantle much dilated, expanded tliroughout the canal, and 

 over all that portion of the body whorl of the shell forming 

 the boimdary of the aperture. 



Shell ; pyriform or fig-shaped, light and ventricose, vndely chan- 

 nelled at the base, channel more or less prolonged, spire very 

 short; columella slight ; aperture large, extending posteriorly 

 to the spire ; lip thin, e7itire. 



The Laraarckian species of Fyrula, commonly known as 'The Figs', were 

 first distinguished as a genus by Mr. Swainson in liis 'Malacology', a 

 volume of 'Lardner's Cyclopedia'; founded, not, however, upon any 

 knowledge of the soft parts, but upon the uniform generic affinity of the 

 shells. Only four species are known, and tlu-ee have been lately taken 

 alive; the F. jicoides and gracilis, were collected by M. Rousseau, a 

 zealous natm-alist attached to the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, during a voyage 

 to Madagascar and the Seychelle Islands, and the F. lavigaia, was (h-edged 

 together with the F. jicoides, by Mr. Arthur Adams, Assistant Surgeon, R.N., 

 in the Sooloo Seas, durmg the recent voyage of H.M.S., Samarang. 



The generic importance which Mr. Swainson attached to tliis limited 

 group has been fuUy confirmed by the pecuharities of the animal ; although 

 a canahculated shell, and so closely allied in form to the Pyrula carica, 

 sj)irata and others, as to induce Martini to distinguish them as subdivisions 

 of a particular group, under the titles of the Light Figs, ' Fid tennes ', 

 and the Heavy Figs, ' Fici ponderosi ', the animal approaches rather to 

 BoUum and Harjm, having an elongated proboscis and the same rounded 

 lobate structure of the front portion of the disc. 



The F. gracilis and Jicoides have been beautifully illustrated by M. 

 Rousseau under the new generic name Ficns, in M. Chenu's handsome 

 pubhcation, 'Illustrations Conchyhologiques ' ; the tentacles are partially 



