92, GENUS BUCCINUM. 
by an excavated notch at the top of the right lip, and by a fold 
of the left lip. The depth of the cavity is brown or of a 
violet-color, marked with transverse, whitish bands. Right 
lip thm upon the edge, denticulated in a part of its length, 
deeply striated internally ; columella arcuated, covered by the 
left lip, which is enlarged upon the body of the shell, and 
forms a semicircular callosity, often thick, polished, marked at 
the lower part by transverse guttules, and terminated by an 
oblique keel, which is prolonged to a pomt. ‘The color of 
this shell is generally ash, externally ; but sometimes it is 
bluish, ornamented with one or several transverse, white or 
brown bands ; another brown band extends always between 
the tubercles of the lowest whirl. Operculum is oval and 
rounded, membranous and denticulated upon one of its edges. 
Length 15 lines. Width 9 lines. 
Inhabits the Indian Ocean and the Moluccas. 
This shell, which is very common, often varies in its form : 
the whirls are more or less elongated, the longitudinal folds and 
the transverse striz, sometimes completely disappear upon the 
lowest whirl, nevertheless, tubercles remain which cover this 
shell, and the furrows at the base, which are very well marked. 
The coloring varies equally, some specimens are entirely white ; 
others, of an uniform reddish or chestnut color, The young of 
this species have folds and strie much more prominent; in them 
the lip is thin, smooth, and the callosity does not exist upon the 
columella. 
I shall here quote an observation of Quoy and Gaimard, upon 
the animals of the division of the Nassa#, to which this shell 
belongs. ‘‘ These animals,” say these writers, ‘“‘ choose marine 
plants, where they seem to search for the small animals which 
are found there: they are very active, always in motion, easily 
raising themselves by the aid of their foot, when they are in- 
verted ; not seeking for deep water, but, nevertheless, rarely 
creeping to the open air. 
