OF SOUTHERN INDIA. oF 
by a strong tooth on the interior margin of about the middle of the outer lip, but if 
species like Voluta harpa, Barnes, are to be transferred to Lyria, this character 
could no longer be of any importance. Most of the species are otherwise well 
characterized by a thick solid shell, a short spire and usually ribbed whorls; they 
approach in this respect most nearly to the uzrriva. 
In a recent paper in the ‘Journal de Conchyliologie’ (1866. 8 ser., VI. tom. 
p. 105), Mr. Crosse re-established fully the genus Zyria, and recorded all its pecu- 
liarities, affinities to, and distinctions from, other allied genera. 
One of the most important characters which has been added to those already 
specified by Dr. Gray and Messrs. H. and A. Adams, was the discovery of a narrow, 
elongated and horny operculum in Lyria deliciosa, Montf. and Lyr. harpa, Barnes. 
In a still more recent note (Journ. Conch. 1866, 3me.Ser. VIme. tom. p. 335), 
Mr. Crosse records the interesting fact, that the operculum of ZLyr. deliciosa has first 
nearly a central and in more advanced age a subapical nucleus. Mr. Crosse draws 
the very natural conclusion, that most probably all the other species of Lyria 
possess a similar operculum. The author summarises his remarks in the following 
characteristics of the genus: 
“ Testa ovato-oblonga, mitriformis, crassiuscula, plerumque (sed non semper) lon- 
* gitudinaliter costata; apertura subovata, leviter stricta; margine columellari ad 
“basim valide biplicato, deinde plicis parviusculis, plus minusve numerosis munito, 
“imterdum ad parietem wnidenticulato, margine dextro extus turgido, peculiariter 
“inflato, ad limbum simplice, acuto.” 
* Operculum ovato-elongatum, tenuisculum, corneum, supra concentrice sed 
“mequaliter rugoso-striatum, circa nucleum deatrorsum nec procul ab apice situm ; 
“ subtus annulare.” 
* Animal ignotum.” 
Mr. Crosse enumerates 14 species of recent Lyrie, three of them, however, are 
doubtful, namely Vol. guttata, Reeve, V. cylleniformis, Sow., and V. Guildingi, Sow. 
Should the separation of the genus Hneta be found necessary, they have to be 
transferred to it; the other 11 species are quoted as true Lyrie@, among which the 
L. mitreformis and L. Delessertiana are probably the best known representatives. 
From the cretaceous beds of South India, we have to notice three characteristic 
species. 
1. Lyrta Formosa, Stoliczka. Pl. IX, Figs. 7 and 8. 
Tyr. testa ovate-elongata, utrinque acuta, spira ultimo anfractu breviore ; an- 
Jractibus parum convexis, transversim costulatis ; costulis 14-18 in uno circuitu, prope 
rectis, postice ad suturam duobus sulcis spiralibus intercisis ; ultimo anfractu antice 
spiraliter minute-sulcoso ; apertura angustissima, antice atque postice acuta; lubio 
multiplicato: plica antica ad marginem canalis maxima, posticis sensim tenwioribus. 
Spiral angle 57°; sutural angle 11°. 
Height of last whorl : total height of shell (taken as 1:00)... va 0:66. 
This species can be readily distinguished by the large number of transverse ribs, 
which vary from 14 to 18 in one yolution and are along the suture crossed by two 
2B 
