I03 



NOTE ON CONUS CHYTREUS Melvill. 

 Bv ARTHUR T. HOPWOOD. 



(Read before the Society, September loth, igiq). 



Plate II. 



The type C.figulinus var. chyireus, now in the Melvill-Tomlin Collec- 

 tion, was, until the discovery of the two specimens which are here 

 described, unique, and since my two differ from it in several particulars, 

 and caused Dr. Melvill to consider it a true species, I consider it 

 worth while to figure them (pi. 2, f. 4-6). They may be described 

 thus : — 



Shell shaped as in the type. Ground colour dirty white ; spire 

 brQ.adly radiated with red brown. Epidermis thin, smooth, pale olive 

 yellow. 



On comparing with C. figulinus Linn., we find differences in 



{a) The character of the epidermis, which is thin, smooth, and 

 of a pale olive yellow colour, instead of being thick, velvety, 

 and brown. 

 {b) Tlie shell which is stouter and not so pyriform, or so 



attenuate towards the base. 

 {c) The spire which is radiated and flamed and not of a uniform 



tint. 

 (^) The colour lines which are fewer and much thicker in 

 proportion. 

 These characters seem sufficient reason for elevating C. chytrens to 

 tlie rank of a species, and since in {b^ and (<:) the shell approaches 

 C. glaucus Linn, its systematic place appears to be between C.glaucus 

 and C. figulinus. 



I do not consider the difference in ground colour between my 

 specimens and the type sufficient justification for making a distinct 

 variety; similar variations occur in C. betulinus Linn., C. glaucus 

 Linn., and C. figulinus Linn., especially the last, specimens of which 

 from the Eastern Archipelago are dark chocolate, whilst one from 

 Bombay, in the Manchester Museum, is a dirty yellowish white. 



In conclusion, I must express my indebtedness to Dr. Melvill for 

 identifying my examples and for an opportunity of comparing them 

 with the type ; to Mr. J. W. Jackson for giving me the shells, and for 

 furnishing me with the photograplis here reproduced ; and to the 

 Manchester Museum Authorities for the use of the magnificent 

 example of C. glaucus, e coll. R. 1). Darbishire. 



