592 On the Kukumb ka Tel. [Nov. 
in length, conical, compressed, pointing backward and inward ; mouth 
circular, lip thickened and reflected. Diameter one inch. 
Operculum corneous, formed of several spiral layers, deeply cupped 
at the outer surface, and plano-convex at the inner. 
All the specimens of this collection have the mouth dilated at the 
upper margin into a surface more or less flat, or concave, or formed 
like a sinus. But in the above description it is assumed to be circular, 
because it is almost of that form in the more advanced specimens, 
from the dilatation having become a well-marked sinus, and in one or 
two nearly formed into a tube. Ina smaller species also, in the col- 
lection, the tube is actually formed in this manner, being at first a di- 
latation, then a sinus, as fresh shelly matter is deposited, and finally a 
tube: and in proof of this, a series of specimens may be seen in the 
collection, in which are gradual changes from a slight dilatation 
of the upper margin of the aperture, to the perfect tube and circular 
reflected lip. 
2.—Spiraculum Parvum. 
Shell white, subdiaphonous, zoned with a dark-brown line along 
the circumference of the whorl, striated above with brown zig-zag 
strie, and less distinctly so below. Shelly spiracle or breathing tube 
situated near to the mouth. Mouth perfectly circular ; lip thickened 
and reflected, umbilicus largely dilated, upper surface plano-convex, 
almost flat. Diameter =, of an inch. 
Operculum unknown, supposed to resemble that of S. Hispidum. 
Epidermis dark-brown. 
3.—The shell described by Mr. Benson under the name of Ptero- 
cyclos rupestris. 
It is thus ascertained that there are at least three species of this in- 
teresting genus, and it is hoped that the reasons detailed above are an 
excuse sufficient for changing the name bestowed upon it by Mr. Bzn- 
son; at all events, it has been done from a sincere conviction of its 
necessity, and not from any spirit of innovation. 
ee ee 
VIII.—On the Kukumb ka Tel, or Concrete Oil of the Wild Mangosteen. 
To the Editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society. 
Sir, 
The motto on the title page of your Journal induces me to send 
you a few remarks on a substance which I have reason to think 
possesses some very peculiar properties, which entitle it to be made the 
subject of experimental investigation. 
