WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF FIVE NEW SPECIES. 333 



11. A. roLlTA. PI. 34, fig 4. — Oblong-ovato, polisliedj ribs numerous, entire, minutely waved ; sides 

 smooth, convex ; lip rounded j sinus minute, not profound ; carinac not approximate, tuberoulated ; tu- 

 bercles i<mall, numerous, diminishiDg in prominence from the posterior to the anterior extremities, 

 becoming obsolete towards tlie latter ; back flat, white, waved anteriorly ; aperture oval ; color of the 

 shell brown. 



Inhabits ■-, Cabinet of the Academy. 



In color this shell resembles the gondola and Orveni. 



12. A. NouRYi, Lorois. Revue, et Mag. de Zool., p. 9, pi. 1, fig. 5, Jan. 1852. 



Inhabits the Pacific Ocean about the Equator. Cabinet of the Academy. 



This interesting and beautiful species may readily be distinguished from any other 

 described, by its elongate form, tuberculated back, the dark brown spot below the 

 sinus, &c. Perhaps it is most nearly allied to the preceding species, but is longer 

 in proportion, and its broad tuberculated back is strongly contrasted with the narrov. 

 smooth back of the other. 



I am indebted for specimens of this species to Dr. James Caspar Parkinson, of Nan- 

 tucket, a zealous conchologist, who has communicated the following interesting 

 particulars of its capture. 



" The species of Argonauta, which you say is named A. Nouryi, was obtained 

 by Capt. Obed Swain, of whale ship Catawba, of Nantucket, under the following 

 circumstances. While cruising for whales on the equator, in the Pacific Ocean, in 

 long. W., in the summer of 1850, one day his ship was becalmed. The ocean was 

 perfectly smooth, not a ripple or movement of the water was perceivable. The day 

 was cloudless and very hot, and as is usual in such vessels in that latitude, an awning 

 was extended over the quarter deck, under which he was reclining. His attention 

 was arrested by some remarks from his officers, and on looking over the bulwarks he 

 saw the surface of the water studded by a multitude of small animals, moving about 

 with considerable celerity, now forming into groups, then quickly dispersing in every 

 direction, while others moved more slowly, either singly or by twos and threes ; 

 after watching them for some time he directed all hands to be quiet, when, taking a 

 small scoop-net, he descended into his boat, which was in the water astern. Lying 

 down in it he moved himself gently (by using his hands as paddles,) into their midst, 

 and with his net secured a cluster of them. A short time thereafter, he spoke a home- 

 ward bound ship, and among other articles which he sent to his wife, were these 

 shells. The day after she received them, she (knowing that I had a cabinet,) sent 

 me word that her husband had sent her some shells, and I might have them if I 

 wished. Perceiving a marked difference between these and all other Argonautae that 

 I had ever seen, I purchased all that she had, including the imperfect ones." 



84 



