112 



MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS 

 MELO. 



As described by W. J. Broderip, Esq., for the " Species Concliylio- 

 rum ", Part 2, unpublished.. 



Char. Gen. " Testa ventricosa, lsevis, ut plurimum colore vario- 

 Epidermis lsevis viridi-fusca. Apex spiralis papillaris. Spira brevis. 

 Columella vix recta, 3-4-plicata, plicis magnis, acutis. Labrum 

 subacutum. Basis profunde emarginata. Apertura liians. 

 Operculum nullum. Caput grande, planum ; tentaculis lateralibus 

 remotis, ocellis pone tentacula positis magnis, branchiae satis 

 magnae, dextra majore. 



"Pallium mediocre. Pes maximus ovalis. 



"Animal carnivorum. 



" Marinum in calidioribus mundi veteris regionibus praesertiin 

 ad Novam Hollandeam. 



"The apex or nucleus which in the shell of the sub-genus 

 Cgmba was almost a shapeless mass, takes in that of Melo a well 

 fashioned and spiral form ; with this papillary summit we have the 

 vivid and elegant colouring winch is its almost constant companion. 

 The suture of the spire no longer rude, is either neatly laid 

 around the apex so as to touch it, and in some instances overwrap 

 it, or as in the coronated section is free, slanting out from the apex 

 and adorned with a diadem of vaulted spines. The shell of Melo 

 is ventricose light melon-shaped. It is generally marked with 

 a well-defined variety of colour and protected by a smooth greenish 

 brown epidermis which in some species is very thin but always 

 wants the glazed coating of Cymba. The papillary nucleus which 

 never increases after birth, almost presents the appearance of a 

 piece of workmanship from the turning lathe. The pillar, which is 

 rarely straight, has from three to four plates sharp and well-deve- 

 loped. The edge of the outer lip is generally somewhat sharp, the 

 base is very deeply notched and the aperture, which is unprotected 

 by any operculum is very wide." 



