14 
DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALASIAN VOLUTES. 
the West Coast, it is probable that they were brought down by 
an expedition under the command of Captain Helpman, which 
visited Exmouth Gulf, after working on the West Coast some time. 
V. Ellio'ti has been known since the first French survey, the 
commander of which has given French names to many of the 
islands on that, part of 'the North Australian coast. 
The coast between Shark's Bay and the North-east Cape has 
hardly been visited, and as it is for the most part comprised of 
high cliffs with a chain of dangerous half-washed reefs running 
parallel, it is not likely to be the home of members of this family. 
V. Elliotti varies greatly in its markings and form. In the 
neighbourhood of Tien Tsin the lines are irregularly waved, and 
its whole appearance resembles greatly that of Voluta undulata of 
Port Lincoln, S. A. The be;at type is got to the Eastward, having 
& pure white ground with dark red straight and regular lines. 
From Barrow Island, some thirty miles from the mainland, off the 
mouth of the Kobe River (Mardo Wallharo of the natives), I have 
got several small specimens, none of which, however, were adult; 
the lines were very regular and undulated, but never crossing or 
touching each other. The animal inhabiting V. Elliotti affects the 
weedy banks, especially those running from the mainland, and at 
the mouths of rivers, where it may be seen from some distance 
crawling slowly in quest of food ; and being attractive in appear* 
auce, is often picked up and kept as a memento of the voyage, 
after the manner of sailors, and consequently more specimens find 
their way into the London market than of any other species, includ* 
ing Norrisii. At two or three islands, a short distance off the mouth 
of the Fortescue lliver, a Volute is found differing greatly from 
the other specimens or varieties of V. Elliotti , they resemble the 
figure given of 
21.—VOLUTA LOROISI —Vallen. 
If Messrs. Crosse and Fischer's plate is correct, this is clearly it ; 
if not, its peculiar form and markings clearly entitle it to bo 
classed as another distinct species of the Volutoe. No one with 
the slightest knowledge of Oonchology would mistake one of these 
Volutes for any other species or variety of Elliotti ; the shell is not 
nearly so much elongated, the lines are bolder and broader, and 
frequently run into each other. Two or three specimens of this 
Volute were obtained alive at the islands I have mentioned; but 
immediately on leaving and going west, nothing but the undulated 
variety of V. Elliotti was found. 
22.— VOLUTA P RiETE X T A— Reeve, 
Erroneously attributed to North-cast Australia, is found in the 
vicinity of Tien Tsin Creek, on the North-West Coast; there are 
