FUSING. 53 



the periphery and the rest of the surface irregularly longi- 

 tudinally streaked and clouded with the same color. 



F. NICOBARICUS, Lam. PI. 32, figs. 98, 97, 96 ; pi. 33, fig. 99. 



Shell very like F. coins ^ var. toreiima, but* stouter and more 

 coarsely sculptured, the ribs being rounded, and duplicating the 

 nodules of the shoulder. Length, 5 to 6 inches. 



Japan, Philippines. 



F. oblitus, Reeve (fig. 97), appears to be the same. 

 Var. BECKII, Reeve. PI. 33, fig. 99. 



Only differs in being denuded of epidermis ; white, without 

 any fuscous markings. 



'Var. BRENCHLEYI. Baird. PL 32, fig 96. 



A little shorter and proportionally wider than the type, the 

 revolving ridges more irregular and consisting of two to four 

 striae combined, the coloring more closely disposed and deeper. 



Length, 3*5 inches. 



I suspect that this is founded on a single specimen and that 

 the characters are individual only, and would gradually change 

 into those of the type, if a scries should be examined. I have 

 not seen the specimen. 



F. LATICOSTATUS, Desh. PL 33, fig. 101. 



Profusely strigated with chestnut-brown ; heavier and wider 

 than F. Nicob&ricus, the revolving ribs wide and flattened. 



Length, 5 inches. 



Ceylon. 

 Perhaps only a variety of the preceding species. 



F. VIRGA, Gr&y. 



" Shell fusiform, elongate, solid, white , apex yellowish ; spire 

 acute, two-thirds the length of the mouth; whorls rounded, 

 convex, regularly and strongly longitudinally plaited, with alter- 

 nate broad, sharp-edged and very fine spiral ribs ; suture distinct ; 

 mouth ovate ; throat grooved ; outer lip crenulated ; canal 

 elongated, tapering, transversely striated, smooth in front. 



Length, 5 inches. 



Hob. China ; not uncommon. 



Compare with F. latiL-ostahis, Desh., but the ribs are not broad 

 and depressed. The nucleus of this species, as in most of the 



