114 MURICID^, 



Distr. — 6 sp. E. Africa. P. plumhea^ Chemn. (xlv, 43). 

 Fossil. Eocene of America and Europe. 



Shell ovate, solid, subglobose ; spire very short, suture 

 slightly channeled, whorls tumid round the upper part ; aper- 

 ture oval, canal very short ; inner lip arcuated, with a callosity 

 at the hind-part ; outer lip thin, furnished at the fore-part with 

 a small tooth or callosity. 



The shell has some resemblance to Monoceros in its tooth on 

 the outer lip, and its operculum is purpuroid ; it also resembles 

 the Olivancillarise. The animal is unknown. H. and A. Adams 

 described a subgenus Macron, in which are included several 

 species from the West Coast of America, but this group must be 

 eliminated, as the operculum has since been ascertained to be 

 unguiculate. P. AustroMs is now placed among the Eburnse as 

 subgenus Zemira. 



Chorus, Gray. 



Distr. — C. Belcheri, Hinds (xlv, 43, 44). Japan, California. 



Shell laminately varicose, spinose on the shoulder ; canal 

 rather long ; outer lip with a spine as in Monoceros. 



To this group have been referred Gh. vionoceros, Desh. 

 ( = Monoc. giganteum, Lesson), Gh. xanthostoma, Brod. 

 ( = Trophon), and Gh. Belcheri^ Hinds. These three species 

 are certainly representatives of three distinct genera, of which 

 the last onl}'^ remains to represent this genus. The dentition of 

 Gh. Belcheri reminds one. of the Buccinidse more than any other 

 group, and is nearest to that of the subfamily Photinse ; but the 

 shell does not bear out this relationship, its spines, peculiar 

 varices and long canal suggesting Trophon, from which it is 

 distinguished by having a purpuroid operculum and the tooth of 

 a Monoceros. A naturalist fond of making systematic groups 

 might construct for this species a family, to follow, perhaps, 

 Ptychatractidse and intervening between the latter and Buc- 

 cinidae. In placing it between Monoceros and Pseudoliva and 

 Rapana, I think that I have adopted the best alternative to .the 

 course above suggested. 



PiNAxiA, A. Adams. 



Distr. — P. coronata, A. Ad. (xliv, 31). Polynesia. 



Shell conical ; spire short, acute ; aperture oval-oblong, emar- 

 ginate anteriorly ; inner lip flattened, with several transverse 

 pla,its in the middle ; outer lip acute, grooved internally. 



The shell has some resemblance to Pyrula pugilina in form as 

 well as in the revolving raised lines within the aperture, but 

 differs in possessing plications upon the columella. Mr. E. A. 

 Smith has, fortunately, received specimens with the operculum 

 in situ; this is purpuroid, and definitely settles the proper place 

 of the genus. The animal is unknown, and a description of it, 



