Tornatellidse, and Pyramiclellidse. 459 



The closely congeneric species, the C. indistincta, is always with- 

 out the denticle. It inhabits plentifully the coralline zone. 



Chemnitzia nitidissima. 



Turbo nitidissimus, Montagu et auctorum. 



Though the animal of this elegant minute shell remains un- 

 discovered, still the inversion of its apical turns on the succeeding 

 volution is so excellent and faithful a characteristic of the Clicm- 

 nitziae, of which I am not aware of an instance of failure, that I 

 am induced without hesitation to consider this species as a mem- 

 ber of that genus, and I confidently expect when the animal is 

 deterre, it will support me in the step I have taken. This cha- 

 racter, which I think of great value as a conchological aid, is 

 far preferable to the unstable columellar fold. 



Chemnitzia unica. 



Turbo unicus, Montagu et auctorum. 



The animal of this si)ecies still remains undiscovered, yet I 

 confidently expect to detect it, as I know its habitat, and have 

 taken several live shells, though they wei'e not detected amongst 

 the debris of marine matters until collapse had come on. I am 

 inclined to think that the minute reflected apex, which 1 consider 

 one of the best conchological characteristics of the Chemnitzia, 

 and is in live specimens apparent under the microscope, will bear 

 me out in the present allocation ; the shells w^hen adult vary from 

 seven to nine volutions, and at Exmouth the animal dwells in 

 the central levels of the littoral zone. 



Chemnitzia Gulsonce (n. s.), nobis. 



C. testa tenuis, Iwvis, anfractibus quinque cylindrico-tumidis, 

 subobliquis. Apertura elongato-ovalis, peripheria Integra, 

 tenui, paulum refiexa, ad externum labium leviter constricta. 

 Sutura simplex. Apex rotundato-obtusus, subreflexus. Color 

 albus, vel pallide luteus. Axis y'^j, diameter jL uncise. Ha- 

 bitat prope ostia Iscse Danmoniorum. Animal ignotum. 



I deposit in this genus a minute and elegant species, which 

 appears unaccountably not to have been noticed. I am informed 

 by Mr. Jeffreys, an excellent conchological authority, who has. 

 very lately looked over my cabinet, that it is unpublished, and 

 has probably escaped the attention of the learned authors of the 

 ' British IMoUusca.' Mr. Barlee, who also examined the shells, a 

 very competent authority, assured me that he concurred in this 

 opinion. Under these circumstances 1 considered it a para- 

 mount duty, as a faithful knight of this branch of natural historv, 

 to fly to the rescue, and I hope by the aid of my good lance to 



