60 PLACOSTYLUS, NEW CALEDONIA. 



specimen). B. duplex var. major GASSIES, 1. c P. duplex KO- 

 BELT, Conchyl. Cab., p. 124, pi. 30, f. 4, 5. 



Near to P. porphyrostomus Pfr., but the spire is more conic, the 

 last whorl relatively more developed, epidermis more persistent, the 

 surface less dull, and especially differing in the wider and less ob- 

 liquely placed aperture. 



Var. major Gassies. A subfossil form, chalky and white, destitute 

 of epidermis, ponderous, thick and a little larger. Length 77, diam. 

 45 mill. Alcmene Island, New Caledonia (Marie). 



This variety can hardly be identical with a specimen in Layard's 

 collection from Nyapagio, in the vicinity of Bourail, which Kobelt 

 figures as P. duplex. His figures are copied on my pi. 30, figs. 45, 

 46. This form seems to be broader and heavier, with a distinct 

 superior lip sinus, and only a low columellar fold. It is solid and 

 ponderous, and measures length 80, diam. 43 mill. It may be 

 called var. nyapagionis ; though whether referable to duplex or por- 

 phyrostomus is doubtful. 



Kobelt mentions a P. dautzenbergianus in this connection, but no 

 such species seems to be described. 



Fig. 41 of pi. 29 represents Gassies' type specimen of duplex. 



P. CALEDONICUS (Petit). PI. 29, figs. 37, 38, 39, 40. 



Shell imperforate, irregularly ovate, very solid and thick ; reddish 

 under a strong cuticle, which varies from light yellowish green to 

 blackish-chestnut. Surface rather glossy, with slight growth wrink- 

 les and more or less conspicuous, shallow, spiral impressions. Spire 

 conic, denuded. Whorls about 6, slightly convex, the last compressed 

 from front to back, gibbous on the right side, sometimes even humped 

 there ; suture impressed, white-edged. 



Aperture small, contracted, dark purplish-crimson or somewhat 

 ochraceous within ; peristome white or brownish, greatly thickened 

 and built forward ; the outer lip moderately or deeply sinuated above, 

 below which a lobe of the margin is bent inward, widest above ; basal 

 margin narrow ; columella heavy, thickened by a stout callus which 

 is continuous or somewhat bilobed, and truncate above and below ; 

 parietal callus heavy, bearing a strong tooth. 



Alt. 63, diam. 35-36 mill. 



Alt, 69, diam. 38 mill. 



Northern New Caledonia : Hienguene, Congouma, Art Island, 

 Balade (Marie); Pouebo (Lambert); Oubatchie (Hedley). 



