THE MOLLU8CA HEDLEY. 



463 



COLUMBELLA GALAXIAS, Reeve. 

 Reeve, Conch. Icon., xi., 1859, Columbella, pi. xxxv., sp. 



229. 



A variable species, plentiful at Funafuti, as also throughout 

 Polynesia, is provisionally so named. This name, though in 

 current use, is probably invalid. Tryon states that the prior 

 name of C. sagitta, Gaskoin, belongs here, although Reeve's figure 

 and the original locality are both at variance with the shell in 

 question. This statement has neither been accepted nor denied 

 by London writers ; the latest reference to the species by Melvill 

 and Standen ignores it. We owe the confusion in which this 

 species is involved to the past generation of London 

 Conchologists, and we expect reparation from the 

 present. A perusal of literature suggests that an 

 extensive synonomy will result from a revision of 

 the nomenclature of this species. Columbella mind- 

 orensis, Reeve, and C. articulaia, Souverbie, are 

 suggested as probable additions to the names reduced 

 by Tryon. 



COLUMBELLA MELVILLI, sp. nov. 



(Fig. 38). 



Shell small, smooth, ovate. Colour white, irre- 

 gularly longitudinally striped by narrow, brown, 

 broken lines, which are interrupted at the periphery. Fig. 38. 

 Whorls seven, slightly rounded, glossy, traversed by 

 a few, scarcely perceptible spiral grooves. Aper- 

 ture narrow, outer lip straight, simple, not 

 grooved within. Columbella arcuate above, 

 denticulate below. Length 4|, breadth If mm. 



Rare, alive under stones in the Funafuti 

 lagoon. Named in honour of the senior author 

 of a catalogue of the shells of Lifu, so often 

 quoted in these pages. 



COLUMBELLA ALOFA, sp. nov. 



(Fig. 39.) 



Shell narrow, tall, spire acuminate. Colour 

 cream, with widely spaced, narrow, orange 

 longitudinal lines, and a series of large coral- 

 red blots on the periphery. Whorls eight, the 

 upper three longitudinally finely ribbed and 

 crossed by revolving grooves, the remainder 

 smooth, base sculptured by a few spiral cords. 

 Aperture narrow, outer lip straight, simple, 

 plicate within. Columella dentate, canal 

 slightly recurved. Length 12, breadth 4 mm. Fig. 39. 



