SMITH : NEW SPECIES OF SHELLS. 59 



The above are the dimensions of two specimens, each con- 

 sisting of five remaining whorls. 



The species might be regarded by some as a dwarf form of 

 M. japonica Reeve, which is similarly banded and transversely 

 sculptured. M. retifera of Tryon is more of the same size and 

 proportions, but that shell has rounder volutions, is more deli- 

 cately striated, differently coloured, and of a thinner texture. 

 Figure 433 {M. grata) of Reeve's 'Monograph of Melania' 

 gives a fair idea of the form of some of the most elongate 

 specimens of this species, but the majority of examples are of 

 rather shorter and broader growth. 



Melania mariesi. 



Testa decollata, tenuiaila, nitida, olivaceo-fusca ; anfracttis super- 

 iores detriti, reliqui tres planiusculi, costis vel plicis longitiid- 

 inalibrcs pai'uin arcuatis stibgranosis sulcisque spiralibics (in 

 anfr. penult, ctjxiter b) sculpti ; anfr. ultimus elongatus per 

 omnes partes sulcatiis, stclcis basim versus latis, liris interji- 

 cientibus latioribus, et plicis supra medium obsoletis ; aper- 

 ticra elongate pyriformis, basi effusa, superne acuta, intus 

 ccerulescens ; labruni acutum, tenue., prope medium late et 

 hand prof unde sinuatum ; columella arcuata, callosa, alba, 

 superne labro callo tenui juncta. 



Longit. 25 mill., diam. 11 mill, Apertura : 12 fnill. longa, 

 7 mill. lata. 



Var. Testa sublcevis, plicis longitudinalibus sulcisque spiralibus 

 (paucis ad basiin anfr. ultimi exceptis) fere vel oj?inino 

 obsoletis. 



Hab. : Japan (Mr. Maries). 



This species is remarkably decollated and has a long and 

 somewhat ventricose body-whorl. The plicae which occur in 

 the typical form are cut across by the transverse grooves and 

 thus rendered somewhat nodulous. The colour is a rich 

 olive-brown varied at intervals with black wavy lines indica- 

 ting former lips. If the figure of Melania arcticava (Reeve's 

 'Conch. Icon.' fig. 71) had the aperture more pointed below 

 and the three apical whorls removed it would give a fair idea 

 of the form of the present species. 



