102 LYRIA. 



except in the presence of an operculum and in the dentition 

 (PI. 2, fig. 7). The shell, however, presents certain modifica- 

 tions from Valuta which, in connection with the operculum, 

 suffice for the establishment of a legitimate artificial group, 

 which may be characterized by the narrowness of its mouth, the 

 predominance in size of the two columellar plications nearest the 

 base, and the transverse rugosities covering the inner lip above 

 the plications, their comparatively small size and mitriforin 

 aspect, and the externally thickened lip. The distribution is 

 wide, including West Indies, West Coast of Central America, 

 East Coast of Africa, Moluccas, Japan, Australia, etc. A few 

 fossil species may be here referred ; and notably V. harpula, 

 Lam., of the Paris basin. The classification of the species is 

 based on that proposed by Mr. H. Crosse.* 



* Shell smooth. 



L. DELTCIOSA, Montr. PL 31, figs. 133-135. 



Pinkish gray, with distant revolving brown lines and inter- 

 rupted bands ; spire minutely longitudinally plicate ; base of 

 body-whorl with revolving incised lines. Length, 30 mill. 



New Caledonia. 



* * Shell obsoletely or faintly plicate. 



L. NUCLEUS, Lam, PI. 31, fig. 136. 



Flesh-brown, here and there dotted and variegated with 

 chestnut; lip and varices black-dotted. Length, 1-1-25 inches. 



N. E. Australia. 



The spotted varices which occur occasionally upon this shell 

 indicate the position of former rest-periods in its growth, being 

 the thickened lip, which the animal in resuming growth has 

 failed to absorb away. 



L. BEAUI, Fischer and Bernardi. PI. 31, fig. 137. 



Yellowish flesh-color, with revolving chestnut lines, inter- 

 rupted between the obsolete costae. Length, 70 mill. 



Marie- Galante, West Indies. 



A rare species. 



* Jour de Conch., 105, 1866. 



