recently described by Mr. F. P. Marrat. 345 



intermediate between 0. todesina, Duclos, and 0. ispidula. 

 The 0. todesina is merely a variety of 0. carneola^ Lamarck, 

 which very variable shell presents every form intermediate 

 between the typical broadly ang-ulated carnelian-colom-ed 

 specimens and tlie narrow, oblong, cylindrical, dull-pm-ple, 

 reticulated ones. Some of these varieties are well figured by 

 Reeve ; and Mr. Marrat's descriptioii of 0. faba answers well 

 to some of them and to others I have seen. 



Oliva blanda^ Marrat. — I am much disposed to think that 

 this is but a variety of 0. ispidula. The more or less swollen 

 condition of the columellar lip is a very variable character : 

 specimens of the white variety of 0. ispidula present it in a 

 marked degree. 



Oliva cylindrical Marrat. — The description of this shell 

 answers well to the var. « of 0. irisans figured by Reeve. 

 0. irisans is an exceedingly variable shell, and its forms have 

 even not yet been completely worked out. 



Oliva pallida., Marrat. — I believe this to be a variety of 0. 

 scripta., which species is mainly distinguished from some va- 

 rieties of 0. literata and 0. reticularis^ which closely resemble 

 it, by its short spire and pale aperture. 



Oliva oblonga^ Marrat. — Is not this the shell figured by 

 Reeve under the name of 0. fusiformis ? 



Oliva truncatttj Marrat. — I cannot help thinking this is 

 merely a variety of 0. polpasta., which, in its turn, I am much 

 disposed to believe is merely a variety of 0. reticularis.^ and 

 that it is connected with that species by numerous indefinable 

 variations. The mere circumstance of locality would not in 

 itself be any evidence of specific distinctness. The Olives 

 present many remarkable anomalies in this respect : for ex- 

 ample, 0. cruenta inhabits the Philippines, Zanzibar, Australia, 

 and the Society Islands — widely diverse localities. O.Duclosi 

 is found at the Philippines and at the Society Islands. 0. re- 

 ticularis occurs in California and in the West Indies-^all 

 strangely different habitats. 



With respect to Mr. Marrat's other two species, viz. O.ornata 

 and 0. similis, I will say nothing, sufficient evidence being 

 wanting ; but I must confess to beiiig somewhat suspicious as 

 to their specific value. 



Clifton, near Bristol, 

 March 30, 1868. 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser.4. Vol.i. 25 



