50 MR. G. F. ANGAS ON THE DISTRIBUTION [Feb. 9, 
5. OBSERVATIONS ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE 
Species oF VoLuTA AND CYMBIUM IN THE AUSTRALIAN 
Seas. By Greorce Frencu Aneas, Corr. Mem. 
New Holland may well be regarded as the metropolis of the Vo- 
lutide, no less than twenty-eight or twenty-nine of the seventy 
species of the genus Voluta already known to us, and some half-dozen 
species of the allied genus Cymbium, having their habitat in the Au- 
stralian waters. Under the term Australia I include New Cale- 
donia, New Zealand, and the adjacent islands, which may fairly re- 
present one geographical province or area, throughout which this 
family developes itself in a large number of species. Having had 
frequent opportunities, during my researches both in Australia and 
New Zealand, of determining the exact geographical range of many of 
the Volutes, I have been induced to embody my observations in the 
following notes on such species as are inhabitants of the Australian 
Seas. 
1, Votura (ScapHa) MaGniFica, Chemnitz. 
This noble species, one of the largest of the genus, is peculiar to 
the east coast.of Australia, south of the tropic of Capricorn. Its 
most northern limit appears to be about Port Curtis and Moreton 
Bay, where a tubercled variety was found by the late Mr. S. Stutch- 
bury, of which I have seen two examples. In the sheltered harbours 
of Brisbane Water and Port Jackson, where it seems to attain its 
maximum size, it is found half burying itself amongst the weed and 
ooze on a sandy or muddy bottom, often in shallow water below 
tide-mark. My largest specimen, from Vaucluse Bay, in Sydney 
Harbour, measures nearly | foot in length ; and the one in the British 
Museum, from the same locality, presented by Capt. Sir Everard 
Home, is still larger. This species occurs as far south as Woollon- 
gong and Jervis Bay, which I judge to be near its southern limit. 
As might be expected from so large and conspicuous a species, it is 
now becoming rare in Port Jackson, and fine specimens in good con- 
dition are very difficult to obtain. 
2. Votuta (ScAPHA) FUSIFORMIS, Swainson. 
This scarce and elegant Volute belongs to Tasmania and the islands 
of Bass’s Straits; I have never met with it either in New South 
Wales or South Australia. In most of the specimens which have 
heen obtained, the papillary apex is wanting. The specimens from 
King’s Island and other parts of Bass’s Straits are larger, thicker, 
and more yentricose than those from Southern Tasmania. 
3. Votuta (ScapHa) RuTILA, Broderip. 
From the north-east coast of Australia. My specimen was ob- 
tained near Cape York, during the cruise of H.M.S. ‘ Rattlesnake,’ 
and is not tubercled. 
