GENUS BUCCINUM. 55 



55. BUCCINUM ELEGANS, NOBIS. The Elegant Buccinum. 

 (Collect. MASS.) 



PI. XXIV, fig. 97. 



B. testa ovato-conica, crassiuscula, nitida, Isevi, albescente, lineis longi- 

 tudinalibus distincta; anfractibus convexis, superne plicatis et inierne 

 maculatis ; apertura alba : labro dextro crasso, inttis striato. 



Shell ovate, conical, thick, shining, smooth, whitish, orna- 

 mented with numerous undulated and reddish longitudinal 

 lines ; spire composed of eight or nine convex whirls : the 

 upper ones plaited, and the others marked at their upper part 

 with white and brown spots or blotches, alternately disposed, 

 and surrounding the suture ; a band a little deeper colored 

 covers the body of the lowest whirl, the base of which is fur- 

 nished with pretty distinct transverse striae or furrows, five or 

 six in number. Aperture white, ovate, terminated above by 

 a sort of canal, indicated by a transverse ridge upon the left 

 lip ; right lip thick, slightly denticulated towards the base, and 

 deeply striated within. Columella arcuated, the base spirally 

 folded ; the left lip covers it, extends slightly upon the body 

 of the shell, and forms a small, projecting keel, terminated by 

 small drops, and a raised point. 



Length 11 lines. Width 6 lines. 

 Inhabits the Indian Ocean. 



Not being able, from a single specimen, to point out with 

 precision the place this shell should occupy, it is with diffidence 

 that I establish it as a species ; it has striking resemblances to 

 the B. suturale; yet it is distinguished from it by peculiar charac- 

 ters ; it has no nodosities, appears to be much thicker, and has 

 the whirls of the spire less distinct. Finally, there are upon the 

 internal part of the lip very close and very apparent striae, 

 which are not found in the B. suturale. 



