CONCHOLOGY. 



Genus-VOLXJTA. Specks-VOLVTA PACIFICA. 



Generic Character. — Shell univalve, spiral, columella, 

 having four flutes, the apix mamillary. 



AMONGST the univalve shells, which have recently 

 been discovered in the Southern Ocean, the Voluta, which 

 we are at present about to describe, stands eminently conspi- 

 cuous. The genus Voluta is distinguished by the following 

 striking characters; the shell is spiral and turrited; the 

 mouth open and spread out, ending in a wide channel at 

 the base; the columella or central pillar is invested with 

 four flutes or bands; and the top or apex of the shell is 

 mammillary, rounded. These characters of form will be 

 always sufficient to distinguish it from the Murex, Conus, 

 Volutella, and Ovula, which in other respects it a good 

 deal resembles. The Voluta Pacifica is about four inches 

 in length, of a beautiful gold colour, and richly variegated 

 on the sides and top by elegant waved lines irregularly 

 placed and of a dark brown colour; the mouth is of an 

 amber colour, and there is also a remarkable horn or knobb, 

 placed upon the cheek, which strongly projects, and is 

 continued afterwards upon the folds of the spire. This 

 shell is very rare, and has frequently been sold for eight or 

 ten guineas, when in fine order and colour. It was dis- 

 covered in one of the small islands near New Zealand, by 

 that accurate investigator of Nature, Dr. Solan deb, 

 when employed upon a voyage of discovery with that 

 illustrious circumnavigator, Capt. Cooke. 



This shell is to be carefully distinguished from the 

 genus Volutella, by its having no umbilicus, and its body 



