CONCHOLOGY 



The difference in the appearance of these two shells consists a^ 

 well in the size as in the dissimilarity of the spots and lineations. At 

 the first glance, or to the eye of inexperience, they may really appear 

 so very different as to be readily admitted as two species distinct 

 from each other. Those, however, who are accustomed to observe 

 the varied aspect of shells in the progressive periods of their growth 

 from the smaller to the larger size, and also to observe the peculiar 

 influence of different localities and climates upon testaceous bodies 

 generally, will be aware of certain deviations that may arise from 

 these material causes in the species now before us ; and, if happily 

 they possess the rare advantage of being able to consult a regular 

 series of several individual shells differing in these particulars they 

 will be under little difficulty in perceiving the relative alliance of the 

 several varieties to the same individual species."^ At the commence- 

 ment of this undertaking, we had ourselves ventured, notwithstand- 

 ing some very respectable opinions to the contrary, to offer the 

 Chinese Volute (Volute nobilis of Solander) as a variety of Voluta 

 Scapha, rather than as a different species ; and it is with some 

 satisfaction we observe, that the accuracy of this conclusion has been 

 subsequently sanctioned by the additional authority of Lamarck, 

 whose work appeared a few months after our own remarks had been 

 promulgated. — Without therefore presuming to enter into any 

 future elucidation of this interesting shell, we believe it may be 

 safely presumed that the revival of the subject, in the present 

 instance, will not be deemed superfluous ; or that the figure of the 



♦ A variety has been found upon the Coasts of Java, of a rose or palo 

 flesh colour, varied with waved lines and spots ©f red brown, and another 

 kind at the Philippine Islands. 



