yew YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES No. 245 October 1978 Page 7 
this specimen measures 77.5mm in length, 54.5mm at its maximum width 
and 43mm at its maximum height. The color of the dorsum is dark 
honey brown. The spotting on the dorsum is white with a very pale 
bluish cast to the color. Unlike the specimen illustrated in Bur- 
gess and in the works of Taylor and Walls (the British Museum spec- 
jmen), the spots are not distinct or sharply defined but appear 
rather cloudy. I suggest that this may be due to the fact that sev- 
eral layers of nacre have been lost by this specimen which, if pres- 
ent, would "cloud" the appearance of this specimen as well. There 
is a wide and distinct 
dorsal line (approximate- 
ly 5 to 6mm wide) which is 
brownish pink in color. 
The color of the base is 
brown to tan, shading to 
very light cream at the 
teeth. The base, teeth 
and callus are all strong- 
ly developed. Labial teeth 
number 25 on this specimen 
and they are thicker than 
the 23 teeth found on the 
columella. There is a 
continuation of the teeth, 
both labial and columellar, 
into the posterior siphon- 
al canal; they do not, 
however, occur in the an- 
terior canal. The colu- 
mellar groove is rounded; 
a distinct fossula occurs 
near the anterior canal 
and thin continuations of 
the teeth are to be found. 
This specimen appears to 
be fully mature and its 
measurements fall in be- 
tween the two specimens 
mentioned by Burgess, The 
spire and protoconch are 
fully covered and there is 
a slight depression around 
the spire. The canals of 
this shell are extremely 
thickened. 
To once see this shell is 
to know it always. I am 
pleased to have had the 
opportunity to examine 
‘ this very rare and beauti- 
Cypraea leucodon Broderip 1828 ful species and to share 
my observations with you. 


The specimen discussed and illustrated is in the collection of Mr. 
and Mrs. H. Horn, Nairobi, Kenya. 
