MOLLUSCA. 27 



Very closely allied to 21. cruentata, from which it chiefly differs in its more slender 

 fusiform growth. 



3. Mitra semisculpta. PI. X. Fig. 28. Mitr. testa oblongo-fusifornii, apice acuta, anfractibus 

 duodeeini, posticis longitudinaliter costatis, costarum interstitiis sulcato-clatkratis, anfractibus anticis 

 lsevigatis, columella tri- quadriplicata, apertura angusta, labro simplici ; plumbea, lineis tenuibus ferru- 

 gineis undulatis obscure picta, anfractu ultimo pallide unifasciata, apice fusco. 



Hab. Sooloo Islands ; at a depth of about thirty fathoms. 



All the specimens collected were of the same uniform lead-colour, the last and penulti- 

 mate whorls being smooth, whilst the rest are highly sculptured. 



4. Mitra dichroa. PI. X. Fig. 29. Mitr. testa obeso-ovata, crassiuscula, oblique subobscure 

 plicato-costata, columella subobscure triplicata; intense ceeruleo-nigro et albo transversim alternatim 

 fasciata. 



Hab. Philippine Islands. 



Belonging to that obese section of the genus of which M. lauta and leticodesma are 

 typical examples. 



5. Mitra rubella. PI. X. Pig. 30. Mitr. testa fusiformi-turrita, anfractibus superne tumidiusculis, 

 inferne contractis, undique creberrime clathratis, columella quadriplicata, basi subcontorta et recurva ; 

 rubella. 



Hab. Sooloo Islands. 



Of a uniform, delicate rose-tint, and finely cancellated throughout, the whorls being 

 swollen behind, and attenuated and recurved in front. 



6. Mitra ocisa. PL X. Fig. 31. Mitr. testa oblongo-ovata, apice acuta, anfractibus anguste 

 sulcatis, sulcis spirse latioribus et crenulato-punctatis ; sordide luteo-alhicante, anfractu ultimo antice 

 castaneo-rufescente. 



Hab. China Sea. 



Remarkable on account of the contrast between the sculpture and colouring of the front 

 and hind part of the shell. 



The Philippine Islands would seem to harbour the greatest number of these elegant and beautiful 

 shells, although a great many species were obtained by Mr. Cuming in tropical America. They appear to 

 be chiefly confined to the equatorial regions, scarcely any being natives of cold climates. I have met with 

 several among the Meia-co-shima Islands, at Loo-Choo, at Japan, and at the Keeling or Cocos Islands. 

 They are most frequently to be met with in somewhat shallow water among the ledges of rocks, between 

 small islands where the water barely covers the land, and within the shelter of coral-reefs ; sometimes 

 preferring a clear sandy bottom, and sometimes affecting a hard muddy sandy soil. The transversely ribbed 

 species are frequently found in very deep water, and many were dredged by us in twenty and thirty 

 fathoms at Sooloo and in the China Sea. 



