DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALASIAN VOLUTES. < 
similar variations of colouring ; but tbe animal and tlie shell which 
protects it, arc invariably differently marked, although the pervading 
tint is the same in both. 
“ At the Philippine Islands, between two and three hundred 
species of Mitra are known, and only one Volute; and almost the 
same fact reversed holds good on the Australian coast.’' 
The Volutes have always been a favourite group with the 
admirers of conchology, for they present for the cabinet an agreeable 
variety of form, a lively arrangement of colours, and many are of 
eminent rarity; their habitats and habits are therefore well 
worthy the attention of collectors. These, in most instances, have 
been erroneously given by the naturalists who first described the 
species, for the shells were procured from seamen who had to visit 
various parts of this continent, and probably other countries before 
their voyage was completed, and who, consequently, retained but a 
doubtful recollection of the exact spot at which their specimens were 
obtained. 
We, therefore, feel indebted to Mr. G-. F. Angas for the paper 
which he published in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of 
London, 1804, and in which he carefully points out various new 
localities where several fine species may be found, and corrects those 
which had been stated in error. 
As I have for some time past paid attention to the marine fauna 
of this country, Volutes especially, and as I am otherwise in a 
favourable position to afford additional information respecting the 
distribution of the members of the genus now under consideration, 
from having employed a collector to search for specimens the coasts 
of this continent, from Camden Harbour on the north-west, to the 
mouth of the Albert River on the north-east, as well as those of 
Tasmania, and some of the islands in the Pa-cific, I desire to place 
my experience on record; so that by filling up many of the present 
existing gaps, I may materially supplement by fresh reliable 
instances the comparatively limited knowledge we at present possess 
upon this subject. 
