3 
It appears extremely probable that both Lamarck and De Férus- 
sac have confounded with this species a variety of Helix metaformis, 
De F., the latter author having figured a var. of that species under 
the name of H. mirabilis, var. See his Tab. 104, f. 6 et 7, and La- 
marck, describing his var. 3. as ‘‘ testd superne in conum elongatd.” 
« T must here acknowledge my obligations to M. Valenciennes, who 
has informed me in a note that the species I have described under 
the name of decipiens is identical with this species, H. mirabilis, De F. 
I suspect that he may be right in his opinion, and will take the ear- 
liest opportunity of re-examining all the varieties of both, together. 
« At present I will proceed to describe the principal varieties which 
have occurred to Mr. Cuming, and which are unquestionably refer- 
able to the mirabilis of De F.” 
a. Shell rather thick and strong, with three dark bands, one of 
which is close to the suture, and much narrower than the others. 
b. Shell very thin, with bands similar to the last. 
c. Shell with the spire much produced, and with three dark bands, 
of which the middle one is very slender. 
d. Shell very thin, with a narrow sutural band, and a broader cir- 
cumferential band. 
e. Shell thick and strong, with only a very narrow antesutural band. 
f. Shell thin, and entirely destitute of bands. 
Heuix rutcens. Hel. testa globoso-pyramidali, crassiusculd, im- 
perforata, levi, nitidd, albidd; spird prominula, obtusd; anfractibus 
41 ventricosis, castaneo-nigrogue fasciatis ; lineis incrementi tener- 
rime insculptis ; aperturd suborbiculari, ints albd ; fasciis nigris 
subconspicuis ; peritremate reflexo, albo ; columella latiuscula, alba, 
profundé ineunte. 
Long 1°5, lat. 1°15 poll. 
Hab. ad Puerto Galero insule Mindoroensis Philippinarum. 
Two principal varieties of this brilliant species have been found 
by Mr. Cuming ; the one has black and chestnut-coloured bands, 
beautifully relieved on a light-coloured ground, and the other has 
the posterior part of each volution nearly white, one dark band close 
behind the circumference, and three close-set dark bands in front. 
Heurx curysocueitus. Hel. testa subglobosd, crassiuscula, levi, 
nitidd, imperforatd ; spird mediocri, obtusa ; anfractibus quinque, 
ventricosis ; lineis incrementi tenuiter insculptis, epidermide palles- 
cente indutis ; aperturd suborbiculari, intis alba ; peritremate in- 
crassato, reflexo, aurantiaco ; columella latiusculd, aurantiaca, pro- 
fund? ineunte ; labio interno tenui. 
Hab. supra folia arborum ad Banqui provincie Ilocos septentrio- 
nalis ad insulam Lucon Philippinarum. 
A very beautiful species, and apparently very distinct from any 
that have hitherto been noticed. It is extremely rare. 
Prof. Owen read his description of a new genus and species of 
sponge, which he proposes to name Euplectella Aspergillum. 
«Mr. Cuming has entrusted to me for description,” says the author, 
“one of the most singular and beautiful, as well as the rarest of the ma- 
