C DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALASIAN VOLUTES. 
interesting genus exists along the Great Australian Bight; but I 
may state that specimens of Cymbium, the largest shells belonging 
to the Volutidce proper, are found near Fowler's Bay; but little 
is known of this coast, and I beliove more species will be found 
there when examined. 
"Under the head of Voluta Linnaeus included all shells having 
a row of plaits winding round the Columella, without considering 
the nature or habits of their animal occupants. The Torn a tell oe, 
whose shells are entire at the base ; the Auriculae, which live on the 
banks of stagnant pools, and are amphibious ; the Turbincllae, 
which inhabit canaliculated shells ; and the Marginellae, in which 
the shell is entirely enveloped by the animal, were all classed in 
the Systema Naturae under the same generic type, as if identical. 
This heterogeneous group has, however, been gradually dismembered 
until those species are only now known as Volutes which present 
the character strictly typified in the well-known Voluta (Scaplia) 
musica, or vespertilio. The ancient genus Voluta is, therefore, 
circumscribed within very narrow limits, and some of the species 
are of such rare occurrence that only a few individuals of the shells 
of each were, until lately, discovered.” Even at the present time, 
specimens of the Voluta (Scaplia) pulchra of Sowerby—the Voluta 
piperata of Sowerby — the Voluta (Volutclla) Sophia of Gray, and 
the Voluta (Scaplia) Maria-Emma of Gray, arc extremely rare. 
“ The animals of the Volutao have a large muscular disc capable 
of considerable expansion. The head is furnished with an obtuse 
trunk; the tentacles are short, broad, and dilated at the base into 
two lobes; the respiratory siphon is short and stout.” 
u The species hitherto discovered in a living state, exhibit as 
brilliant variation of colour in the soft part of the animal as in the 
shell itself, thus in Voluta vespertiiio, the animal is characterised 
by a bright yellow disc, marked with longitudinal interrupted black 
lines.” 
I may strengthen this observation by stating that the animals of 
the Voluta (Amoria) Ellioti of Sowerby, the Voluta (Amoria) 
reticulata of Beeve, and other West Australian Volutes, exhibit 
* From Reeve's Con. Icon, and Elements of Conchology; “Woodward’s 
Manuel and Ckncu’s Manual de Conchyliologie.J* 
