223 

 PHASIANELLA. 



BUCCINUM AUSTRALE. Linn. 



Sowerbys Genera, No. 4, plate 1. 



This genus very nearly approximates the G. Turbo, 

 with which, as well as those of Buccinum, Bulimus, and 

 Helix, other authors have confounded them. The form 

 of these shells is spiral, oval, and conical, the last whorl 

 considerably larger than the others; aperture oval, en- 

 tire, inclining obliquely towards the base of the co- 

 lumella, the lower part rounded, the upper narrowed, 

 at which part the previous whorl forms a slight pro- 

 jecting angle; columella smooth, compressed, and at- 

 tenuated at the base; right margin sharp, smooth, not 

 thickened or reflected outwards; a pear-shaped calca- 

 reous operculum. They are marine shells. 



These shells are generally well known to English 

 collectors, by the trivial name of Pheasant Snails, and 

 are deservedly admired for their exquisite beauty, and 

 the delicacy of their varied patterns and rich coloring: 

 they form a very natural group, not easily to be mistaken 

 for any other genus. Swainson has pointed out a 



