Genus Latirus, 367 



A most deplorable figure of the M, filosus is added, which 

 only a reference to Martyn's plates can construe into 

 possessing the slightest resemblance to the shell now termed 

 Latinis gibbultis (Gmelin), this name (Syst, Nat. 1790) 

 having priority over Lamarck's. 



Taking this, however, as the type, we find associated 

 with it a more or less attractive assemblage of Molluscs, 

 one indeed, that it is marvellous has not received more 

 due attention, for many of the members of it are singularly 

 beautiful, both in structure, colour, and variety of form. 



(II.) General characteristics. — The Latiri proper are 

 mostly shells of a somewhat massive build, fusiform, whorls 

 turreted, six to eight whorled, usually longitudinally 

 ribbed or noduled, often smooth (Z. nodatus) but more 

 frequently transversely sulcated, filleted, or striated, canal 

 very short (e.g. Rousiy brevicaudatuSy spadiceuSy prismaticiis\ 

 or produced and deeply umbilicated {infimdibuluin)y very 

 long and fusoid {lanced) mouth sub-triangular, canal short, 

 {ceratus) inner lip more or less with a tooth-like projection 

 icingulatus and leucozonalis). The interior in some cases 

 is finely coloured, with pale violet or pink {nodatus). This 

 is more frequent, however, in the PeristerniincBy {e.g. 

 Nassatiday violaceay whilst the mouth is yellow in the 

 striata and crocea sections. The P eristerniince are more 

 like NasscB in outward appearance, with their short, 

 sometimes slightly recurved beaks, while the Latiriy to 

 sum up, often assimilate species of the genera Fasciolariay 

 FusuSy Mitray MonoceroSy Columbella and Murex. 



The plaiting of the columella occurs as a strong family 

 distinction, not only in this, but in several other leading 

 families of Prosobranchiate gasteropods: e.g.y Mitray Mar- 

 ginellay Cancellaria, Volutay Turbinella {Mazza and Vasunty 

 Bolten), also, internallyy in most of the ColumbellidcSy and 

 to some extent in the Cerithidce. 



