OF SOUTHERN INDIA. 318 
likewise very much resembles Amplostoma, but it has the outer lip not expanded, 
(Anim. s. vert. foss. bas. Paris, 2me. edit., Vol. ITI, p. 90, pl. 62, figs. 7-9). 
4. Velutina, Fleming, 1820 (H. and A. Adams, Gen. I, p. 199). 
The recent species are readily distinguished by their globose form and their thin 
shells ; they are usually covered with a thickened epidermis. Up to this time fossil 
species have been with a few exceptions only described from tertiary beds. Of known 
cretaceous shells I can perhaps mention Natica Sueurii, Pictet and Reneyv., (Pal. Suisse, 
Descript. Foss. terr. aptien, etc., livr. 1, 1854, p. 37, pl. 3, fig. 9) which may 
belong to Velutina. I describe another species from South India, Vel. orientalis, 
very much resembling in form some of the recent species. 
When lately examining in Maestricht the collection of Dr. J. Bosquét, this 
zealous naturalist showed me a very fine specimen of a new species of Velutina from 
the cretaceous deposits of Vaelsbrock near Aachen. The shell consists of only 
two, or two and a half whorls, the spire being very short, scarcely elevated, but the 
last whorl is very large and somewhat depressed on the back. 
Under Natica and other allied genera, a considerable number of fossil species 
are described which will probably have to be transferred to the Vaezorzrips. 
I will mention, for instance, the numerous triassic species of globose Natica which 
do not differ at all from Velutina, except perhaps by a somewhat more thickened 
shell; certainly these forms cannot remain under the generic name of Natica;— 
vide Klipstein’s Oestl. Alpen, pl. 13; Stoppani’s, Pal. Lomb. Ser. I, pl. 10; Nat. 
complanata, Stopp., Nat. lemniscata, Horn.; ibidem, pl. 11, Nat. nautiliformis, 
Stopp., ete. Thus it is very probable that the number of fossil Vezorrmraz will 
soon very much exceed that known at present. 
5. Platyostoma, Con. (Hall. Pal. New York, II, p. 286). 
The characteristics given by Conrad do not differ from those of Velutina; but 
several of the species have the strive of growth insinuated in a way similar to that 
in some species of Platyschisma, 
6. Strophostylus, Hall, 1858 (Pal. New York, Vol. ITT, (ie 303), has also the 
general form of Velutina, but the columella is said to be twisted or spirally grooved 
within, (not reflected), while the columellar lip of Platyostoma is simply thickened. 
The typical form of Strophostylus is much like that of Sigaretus ( Narirerpm), but 
the shells are not spirally striated. Among the species described by Hall some 
very much resemble in form Platyceras, which is intermediate between the 
two families Vazuriip# and Capurip#; thus showing the importance of both of 
these for the study of fossil Conchology.. Until, however, careful monographical 
researches have been extended to all these groups of shells, it will be really very 
difficult to arrive at any certain conclusions, as to the value of the different generic 
names. 
The reason that the Vzzurinrpa, as also the Janruinrps, at present number 
so few fossil species is because their thin shells are not easily preserved, and 
where they are, their form. is often found so much distorted that a perfectly 
reliable determination almost becomes impossible. We give in the following pages 
4H 
