UNIVALVES. 



PLATE XLIV. 



Genus. HAUSTRUM. 



Character. Shell spiral ; the mouth oval, large, and patulous, resembling a scoop ; 

 columella trenched out, or cut away, by the great width of the opening, and in- 

 wardly depressed ; no visible beak or rostrum, but in the place thereof, a small la- 

 cuna or channel ; the spire short, or hardly perceptible. 



Species. 



No. 1. Haustrum striatum. Shell of an orange and brown colour, striped trans- 

 versely; spire short and angular; the cheek slightly notched with teeth. 

 It is found in the Eastern Seas. From Dr. Lettsom's Museum. 



No. 2. Haustrum pictum. Shell pale red, and striped transversely ; mouth open, 

 patulous, painted delicately with streaks of red; in the lacuna of the cheek 

 is placed a narrow black denticule, projecting, and forming a curious orna- 

 ment in the appearance of the shell. This curious shell has been lately 

 brought from the East Indies, and is delineated from the original in the 

 Museum of Mr. Harrison of Westminster. 



No. 3. Haustrum dentex. Shell of a very dark brown ; mouth of a pale red, 

 beautifully shaded with various tints of purple and blue ; in the lacuna of 

 the columella a small denticule projecting ; the cheek armed with numerous 

 large teeth decussated, and the body armed with small spines, closely placed. 

 This beautiful shell, remarkable for the singularity of its form and colour, 

 is said to be a native of Nootka Sound, which, however, is rather doubtful ; 

 it is so exceedingly rare that only two specimens have yet been seen in 

 London, one in the possession of Mr. Harrison, the other of Mr. Humphreys. 



No. 4. Haustrum tuberculatum. Shell purple and brown, variegated; mouth 

 gray ; columella reddish and brown. A native of the South Seas. 



No. 5. Haustrum zealandicum. Shell dark brown, richly striped and reticu- 

 lated ; mouth gray ; columella white. A native of New Zealand. From 

 the Museum of Dr. Lettsom, and very rare. 



REMARKS. 



The genus Haustrum abounds in shells of a curious character and description, the leading 

 distinction being the great size of the mouth in proportion to the rest of the shell ; added to 

 which, they may be said to have no beak, the body ending in a slight opening at the base. 

 They have been very much confused by former Writers on account of their differing so much 

 in form amongst themselves, some placing them with Murex, others with Buccinum. I have 

 therefore appropriated to them a distinct character, for the first time, which completely 

 separates them from all other shells at present known or described. 



