126 



The genus Triplioris was instituted by M. Deshayes for the reception of 

 a small fossil Cerithiiun, of wliich the C. perversum of the Mediterranean 

 appears to have been the first-described recent species ; it is, however, to 

 the zeal of Capt. Sir Edward Belcher and the abihty of liis assistant, 

 Mr. Hinds, during the voyage of H.M.S. Sulphur, that we are mainly 

 indebted for bringing tliis interesting group into notice. On the occasion 

 of that Expedition visiting the Straits of Malacca, New Guinea, and New 

 Ireland, several important species were obtained, all distinctly characterised 

 in manner following."^ 



The Triphores are small spirally attenuated shells, the species figured 

 being magnified and one of very large size, and nearly all are reversed ; 

 coupled with this peculiarity is that of the canal being prolonged back- 

 wards, in the form of a spouted tube, wliilst the aperture is extremely 

 small, and closes near the body-whorl in such a manner as to form another 

 minute tube or the rudiment of one. This third aperture, whence the 

 name Triplioris, is rarely more than indicated by a sinus or slight fold, 

 and it is probably in consequence of the living species of the Mediterranean 

 and the fossil type of the genus representing the extremes of this character, 

 that M. Deshayes has considered the Lamarckian CeritJiium perversum 

 inadmissible. The species are distinguished by a remarkable variety of 

 sculpture, developed in most of them with peculiar force and neatness. 



In addition to the localities mentioned above, two or tlu"ee species were 

 collected in the West Indies by the Eev. Lansdowne Guilding ; " on the 

 west of America," says Mr. Hinds, " though much attention was bestowed 

 on small shells during the voyage of the Sulphur, not a single specimen 

 was found." 



Species. 



1. adversus, Beshayes. 



2. semiilaiis, Hinds. 



3. affiuis, id. 



4. asperrimus, id. 



5. bilix, id. 



6. cancellatus, id. 



7. candidus, id. 



8. Carteretensis, id. 



9. castus, id. 



10. clem ens, id. 



11. coelebs, id. 



13. concinnus, Hinds. 



13. concors, id. 



14. corrugatus, id. 



15. elegans, id. 



16. gigas, id. 



17. Grayii, id. 



18. hilaris, id. 



19. marmoratus, id. 



20. maxillaris, id. 



21. Metcalfei, id. 



22. micans, Hinds. 



23. monilifer, id. 



24. perversus, Deshayes. 

 23. roseus, Hinds. 



26. ruber, id. 



27. sctdptus, id. 



28. tristis, id. 



29. vitreus, id. 



30. vittatus, id. 



31. vulpinus, id. 



'* A few species will be described by Mr. Adams and myself, in addition to these, in the 

 forthcoming ' Mollusca of the Voyage of H.M 8. Samarang.' 



