Mr. CI. B. Sowcrby on a new Volute. 



Cll 



LX \ 1 1 . — l>encrii>tion of a new VoftUe. 

 liy G. H. SowERBY, F.L.S, 



TiiK l)eaiitiUil shell, of which I a))|)<Mi(l a short dianjiiosiM ami 

 figure, bi'loiij^s lo Gray's subgeiiuH Ainoria, several of the 

 species of which are .so similar in form that it wouM be 

 (iiflieult lo (listiiigui.sh them apart from the very striking an<l 

 coiKstuiit ili tie re I ices in the character of iheir colom-markinf^s, 

 which always render them easily distinguishable. I think it 

 therefore convenient to call these shells by the several specific 

 names by which they are so well known, leaving the question 

 of species or varieties an ()j)cn one. 



The shell here described is similar to one figured in the 

 '•Voyage of II. M.S. 'Alert,'" jd. v. fig. K (1881-2), as a 

 vaiiety of 1'. vo/va, from Thursday Island, Torres Straits. 



^ 



Valuta (Amoria) gatliffi, Sowerby (figure reduced). 



Shell oblong, smooth, with only faint longitudinal strife or 

 growth-lines ; pale flesh- or cream-colour, conspicuously 

 marked with reddish-brown irregidarly waved longitudinal 

 streaks, which partly coalesce, forming two broken chain-like 

 transverse bands, with strong mostly angular markings and 

 here and there diamond-shaped spaces. tSpire acuminated, 

 rather sharp at the apex, then slightly convex; whorls 

 smooth, very slightly convex; suture distinct, filled with a 

 tliin enamel, forming a light orange band. IJody-wlioil long, 

 rather cylindrical in form, taj)ering slightly at each end. 

 Columella furnished with four very oblique plaits, and a 

 prominent ridge crossing obliquely from the base of the 

 shell and entering the aperture above the plaits gives the 

 appearance of a fifth. Interior of the aperture smooth, 

 shining, stained with orange-brown. 



Length 9.0, greatest breadth 35 mm. 



Hub. Port Keats, Northern Territory, Australia. 



I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Gatliff for the opportunity of 

 giving a name to this handsome shell. 



