MOLLTJSCA. 45 



This shell is remarkably prickly when in perfect condition, by 

 reason of the scaly character of the transverse ridges. The single 

 and rather young shell from Thursday Island has the spire of a deli- 

 cate pink colour. A second example, from Prince of Wales Channel, 

 belongs to the black-brown variety figured by Reeve (pi. x. flg. 37). 



16. Murex cervicornis. 



Lamaroh ; Kiener's Coq. Viv. pi. 20. fig. 2 ; Sowerhy, Genera Sec. Foss. 

 Shells, fig. 4 ; id. Thes. Conch, pi. 382. fig. 80 ; Meefoe, Cmxdh, 

 loan. fig. 66; Kohelt, Conoh.-Cah. pi. 81. figs. 5, 6. 



Hah. Thursday Island, 4 fms. ; Prince of Wales Channel ; Torres 

 Straits, 7-9 fms.; Port Darwin, 8-12 fms.; and Clairmont Island, 

 11 fms. (Co])pinger) ; Damley Island, Torres Straits, 20-30 fms. 

 (^Brazier). 



One specimen obtained by Dr. Coppinger is peculiar on account of 

 the unusual shortness of the canal, and the presence of one, instead 

 of two, spiaes upon it. Another example is remarkable for its 

 uniform rich brown tint, the ordinary colour of this interesting 

 species being considerably paler. 



17. Murex territus. 



Reeve, Conoh. Icon. figs. 167 a, 6 ; Sowerhy, Thes. Con. pi. 9. fig. 77 



(fronds on varices incorrect). 

 Murexnubilus(=territus,/MW.),(So!oe?%, Proc. Zool. &c. 1859, p. 428, 



pi. 49. fig. 4 ; Thes. Conch, fig. 71. 



Hah. Wide Bay and Port Curtis {Mm. Ownmg) ; Port Molle, 

 ISfioas., and Port Curtis, 0-11 fms. {Coppinger). 



Although the figures respectively representing the types of M. 

 territus and M. nuhilus would not lead one to consider them the 

 same species, still on actual comparison such proves beyond a doubt 

 to be the case. 



The shell described by Reeve is a fine specimen (alas ! like very 

 many of Mr. Cuming's shells, terribly spoiled by acid in cleaning), 

 with the frondose varices well developed. The three brown bands 

 so conspicuous in the young shell {M. nuhilus) are only visible 

 on the varices in the adult. The canal is a little arcuate, nearly 

 closed, and somewhat recurved, and bears three principal spines, as 

 mentioned by Sowerby in his description of M. nuhilus. Only two 

 are seen in the figures of M. territus, a result due to a fracture of 

 the third in the shell figured ; but the presence of it is seen on the 

 penultimate varix in, the same illustration. Althoug:h, as a rule, 

 there is but a single tubercle between the varices, yet in some spe- 

 cimens a second smaller one is developed. The two nuclear whorls 

 are smooth, convex, and reddish. 



