Monograph of the getms Melanipus. 291 



an epidermis ; a point, which in the absence of specimens, it is impos- 

 sible to ascertain from the descriptions within my reach. Risso, indeed, 

 positively ascribes one to it, i. e. to his Auricfila Myosotis ; but he also 

 does quite erroneously to his Truneatellce, which invalidates his testimony, 

 unfortunately, in the present instance. I am, however, strongly inclined 

 to believe that this shell really has an epidermis ; and if so, it will then 

 remain to ascertain whether the species agrees in all other points with the 

 above generic character of Melampus ; in which case that character 

 must be amended in respect to the supposed absence of an epidermis in 

 all its species ; or, which is perhaps more probable, Auricula Myosotis 

 may prove generically distinct from Melampus, as here defined. 



3. Voluia bidentata, Montag., of which FbZ. o!/6a of Turton's Diet. 

 No. 4, is the young shell, and possibly one or two other Volutce of British 

 authors, very probably belong also here ; yet without further evidence, it 

 would be rash to decide ; and the following is mentioned only as an 

 independent confirmation of their having been, as I believe, properly 

 associated with Auriatla Myosotis of Drap., and its allies, by the Baron 

 de Ferussac. In 1824, I met with Voluta alba of Turton's Dictionary, 

 alive, in great abundance, under loose masses of rock and large stones, 

 near low water-mark, at Obun, in Argyllshire, half a mile to the south 

 of the Custom House. Having neglected at the time to take either draw- 

 ing or description, I must be understood to speak with reserve as to this 

 point ; but I have the strongest idea that both the animal and its habits 

 were very similar to what is above recorded of Melampus. Mel. exiguus 

 in particular, with its shorty very obtuse, almost davate tentacula, brought 

 the animal of this Voluta alba very forcibly to my recollection. 

 ** Testa conoidea ; spira brevissima. 



6. Melampus exiguus, nob. Tab. XHI. f. 6, 7. 

 Mel. testd ovali-turbinatd, subconiformi, nitiduld, striis exilissimii, ob- 



soletis, confertis, spiralibus omatd ; columella Z-plicatd ; labro 



intus costd, margini paralleld, instructo, Icevi. 



Long, vix y\ unc; lat. vix r\' Anfr. 5 — 6. 



Castaneo-ritfescens ; pallidiore subnebulosus. 



Hub. rarior infra lapides ad littus Septentrionale Promontorii Ponta 

 Sao Laurengo dicti Insulse Madcrtc ; una cum Mel. cequali, Pedipede 

 nfra, et Truncatella trnncalxUa. 



