The Volutes and Melon Shells 



The Bat Volute (K. vespertilio Linn.) is the most variable 

 species in the genus. Gradually collections have acquired speci- 

 mens forming a series of gradations between types assigned to 

 specific rank by scientists in earlier days. Lamarck made four 

 species of the specimens within his reach. These have been 

 reduced to varieties. 



The typical shell is short and broad-shouldered. Tubercles, 

 sharp, flattened and with their points curving backward, rise 

 prominently from the shoulders of the whorls. Zigzag bands 

 of dark brown cross the whorls on a ground colour of pale choco- 

 late. The spire is more yellowish. Triangular patches of paler 

 colour form a band below the most prominent tubercles. The 

 aperture is lined with white enamel. The lip lining has a tawny 

 edge. Possibly the hooked tubercles on this shell suggested to 

 Linnaeus the prehensile hooks on a bat's wing. Length, 3 to 5 

 inches. 



habitat. — Philippines, Moluccas. 



The Courtier Volute (K. aulica, Sby.) has the elegant 

 shape of the mitres, tapering gradually to each extremity. It 

 wears remote, flattened tubercles on the sloping shoulders of the 

 body whorl, but knobs are barely suggested on the whorl above, 

 and the spire is smooth. The flesh-coloured, polished surface is 

 finely covered with longitudinal hair lines of chestnut. Clouds or 

 flames of salmon colour revolve in bands around the shell. The 

 bands are sometimes edged with rows of remote, dark spots. 



For a long time this species was known only by a single speci- 

 men in the Duchess of Portland's famous collection, which is now 

 in the British Museum. Then Mr. Cuming obtained some beauti- 

 ful specimens in the Sulu Archipelago. These differ from the 

 type by being tuberculated. Though others have been collected 

 since, the species is still rare, and highly valued. Length, 3 to 5 

 inches. 



Habitat. — Sulu Islands. 



The Handsome Volute (F. festiva, Lam.) is the rarest of 

 all. The whorls are longitudinally ribbed, like a harp shell. 

 The spire is elongated above a noduled shoulder; the apex is a 

 rounded knob. The flesh-white ground is painted with interrupted 

 bands of orange red, the pale areas between the bands narrow 

 and marked with short brown streaks in twos and threes. The 

 aperture is orange. 



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