78 PRESTON : DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW MARINE SHELLS, 



The apical whorls in many of the specimens examined are tinged with 

 bright pink, but as this is not apparent in all, it is probably caused by the 

 presence of decaying portions of the animal showing through the somewhat 

 transparent shell. 



Maetra delicatula, n. sp. 

 PI. vi, fig. II. 



Shell triangular, rather oblicjue, thin, equilateral, somewhat flattened, greyish- 

 white tinged with purple deepening towards the umbonal region, striated 

 with lines of growth, these being rather irregular anteriorly ; anterior side 

 rounded into a sharp keel ; posterior end flattened, sculptured with fine 

 striae giving a silky appearance, and produced to an obtuse angle. 

 Alt. 21.5 millim. : length 25. 

 Hah. — Ceylon 



M. delicatula var, nivea, n. var. 

 PI. vi, fig. 12. 



Shell rather smaller, somewhat more lightly striate, pure white except for a 

 very slight tinge of purple on the umbones. 

 Alt. 17 millim. : length 20.5. 

 Hah. — Ceylon. 



Maetra tappobanensis, n sp. 

 PI. vii, fig. 9. 



Shell, ovate, convex, smooth, white painted with pale brown rays of irregular 

 breadth ; uaibones brownish purple, small ; anterior end produced, rounded, 

 posterior end obtusely angled ; interior sometimes pale brownish purple, 

 sometimes white tinged with pale brown. 



Alt. 7.5 millim. ; length 10.5. 



Hah. — Ceylon. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 



Plate vi. 



Figs. 9, 10. Styloptygnia lacieola, n. sp. 

 Maetra delicatula, n. sp. 

 Maetra del leal 11 ia var. 

 nivea, n. var. 



Miicronalia birtsi, n. sp. 

 Maetra taprohiiiiciisis, u. sp 



n. sp. 



