LATIAXIS. 203 



darker brown. ( Internally white or orange-colored, the lip sul- 



cated. Length, 5-S inches. 



China , Japan, Philippines. 



The typical form is ribbed, with foliated growth-lines ; a 

 smoother form, simply striate, has been described as a distinct 

 species, but may be designated as 



Var. THOMASIANA, Crosse. 



Purpura maryinata (tig. 33 7). and P. cenosa (tigs. 339, 340), of 

 Valenciennes, are equivalent, and enough intermediate varieties 

 are before me to establish its identity with the type form. It is 

 sold as food in the markets of Yokohama. 



R. BULBOSA, Sol. PI. 03, tig. 33G. 



Shell bulbous, shoulder convex ; only slightly defined by a 

 a revolving series of vaulted scales or tubercles ; suture excavated ; 

 spire depressed. Yellowish-brown, clouded ; white or orange 



within. Length, 2*5-4 inches. 



Chin <i, Japan, Philippines. 



More inflated, thinner, smoother than the typical P. bezoar ; of 

 which it is, perhaps, only a variety. 



It is the Murex rapa of Gmelin, but not of Linnaeus, the latter 

 being the same as Pyrula payyracea of Lamarck, belonging to 

 the genus Rapa. 



Subgenus Latiaxis, Swainson. 



Whorls more or less detached, carinated ; aperture small, 

 trigonal ; canal narrow, rather long, curved. The animal and 

 operculum are unknown. 



R. MAW^B, Gray. PL 64, tigs. 344-346 ; PL 66, fig. 383. 

 White, yellowish or flesh-color ; usually flesh-tinted within. 



Length, 2 inches. 



China, Philippines. 



With this species I unite R. Delesserti (fig. 346) and R. pur- 

 pur a ta (fig. 345) of Chenu, as well as R. De Burghise of Reeve 

 (fig. 383). 



R. IDOLEA, Jonas. PI. 64, figs. 342, 343. 



Light brown ; covered with close revolving ribs ; sometimes 

 longitudinally plicate ; periphery angulated or carinated. 



Length, 1-2 inches. 



China, Australia, Philippines. 



