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ON SOME NEW MARINE SHELLS.
BY THE REV. J. E. TENISON-WOODS, F.L.S., F.G.S., PRESIDENT LINNEAN SOCIETY.
The following marine shells were obtained by Mr. John Brazier C.M.Z.S., from some siftings from the steam dredge, bare anchored near the Sow and Pigs, Port Jackson. They are undoubtedly new and interesting additions to our N. S. Wales fauna.
NASSA PERITREMA. Pl. 4, figs. 5, 5a.
N.t. parva, ovata, antice dilatata, lactea, sub-pellucida, nitente; anfr, 5 1/2, convexis, concinne costatis, superne conspicue uni-sulcatis, regulariter, distanter striatis; costis angustis, acutis, subimbricatis, 15 16 in ult. anfr.; striis regulariter incisis; striis 5 in ult. anfr. sublatis, oequalibus; sutura coronata, late canaliculata; apertura rotunde ovata, labro tenui, intus concavo, labio late reflexo, polito, postice tuberculato; canali contorto, cancellato. Long. 7, lat. 4, long. spirae 3 1/2.
Shell small, ovate, dilated anteriorly, milky white, sub-pellucid polished, and shining; whorls 5 1/2, convex, neatly ribbed, with one conspicuous sulcus above; regularly, distantly striate; ribs narrow, acute, somewhat imbricate or over-lapping, 15 to 16 in the last whorl and cut regularly into sharp, rounded edges by the spiral striae. These latter are very little smaller than the sulcus, rather deep, flat, and even, there are five equidistant ones on the last whorl and a few closer and smaller round the canal. Suture coronate and broadly canaliculate. Aperture roundly ovate; labrum thin, hollowed underneath; one of the ribs appears like a varix. The lip is polished, widely spread over the columella, with a posterior tubercle. Canal twisted, canaliculate.
This small Nassa can only be compared in point of size to N. compacta Angas, amongst the N. S. Wales numbers of the genus, but it is shorter, stouter, divested of any coloring, and sub-pellucid. The peculiar, sharp, sub imbricating ribs which are regularly cut into rounded eminences by the striae, will also serve to distinguish it. It appears not to be uncommon in Port Jackson at a few
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fathoms in sandy mud. Nassa Jacksoniana Diener, is often pellucid but much larger than this shell. Nassa rufocincta Adams, does not appear to me to differ from N. compacta. N. fasciata Lam, is the largest on the southern coast, and is uncommon in all Tropical Australia, except the west. It is very conspicuously granular. N. pauperata Lam, is a little smaller but a stouter and more squat shell with whorls obsoletely granular.
CLANCULUS UNDATOIDES, Pl. 4, figs. 7, 7a.
C.t. turbinato-conoidea, parva, solidiuscula, opaca, rufo-rosea, indistincte purpurea maculata; anfr. 5 1/3, planatis, rapide crescentibus, infra marginatis, 6 serie granulorum cingulatis; sutura coronata, late canaliculata; granulis infra parvulis, superne gradatim majoribus; peripheria tesselata, 2 majoribus, cingulis granulorum marginatis; basi planata, 8 lineis spiralibus, granulosis, rotundatis, roseis ornata; apertura rhomboidea, labro incrassato, intus lirato; columella obtuse bituberculato; umbilico angusto, albo. Alt. et diam. 10. mil.
Shell turbinately conoid, rather small, somewhat solid, opaque, reddish rose with indistinct purple spots; whorls 5 1/3, flat, increasing rapidly, margined below, girdled with six series of rounded granules of which the lowest line is the smallest and increasing gradually in size to the suture, which is coronate and broadly canaliculate. The base is flattened, ornamented with 8 spiral lines of rounded rose colored granules. Aperture rhomboid, with a thickened labrum, which is lirate inside; columella with two obtuse, blunt tubercles above and below and intermediate small obsolete teeth. Umbilicus narrow, white, with a rather conspicuous white margin.
In shape and appearance this shell is a little like C. undatus Lam., but is smaller and the whorls flat. The following is a synopsis of the Port Jackson Clanculi. A. Large, more than 20 mil. high, C. maugeri. Less than 20 Mil.: B. Shell thin and acutely conical, whorls and base flat, C. omalomphalus. Shell solid whorls rounded, stained a vivid green, C. clangoides. Whorls Iess rounded, small, pale brown, C. gibbosus.
I am inclined to think that C. omalomphalus Adams, is only a small variety of C. variegatus Adams, which is common on all the South Coast, but is not seen in N. S. Wales. With this species I also identify C. zebrides of the same author. Thalotia zebrides is a common N. S. Wales shell which must not be confounded with it. I think also that C. gibbosus Adams is a doubtful species. The difference between the present species C. undatoides and C. variegatus is that it is smaller, more solid, whorls more rounded, umbilicus narrower, and the coloring deeper.
TEREBRA VENILIA. Pl. 4, fig. 2, and 2a.
T.t. elongato-pyramidata, turritissima, nitente, luteo-albida, linea pallide castanea zonata, apice acutissimo, livido, translucente; anfr. 20, parum convexis, ad suturam constrictis, irregulariter crebre costatis superne conspicue sulcatis, infra regulariter 4-5 striis insignitis; costis obtuse angulatis, (ult. anfr. 20, circiter) lineis incrementi aliquando confusis; apertura ovata, postice coarctata, antice expansa; labro tenui, labio reflexo, crasso; canali contorto brevi, corrugato, marginato; sutura canaliculata. Long. 42, lat. 7 1/2.
Shell elongately pyramidal, turretted, shining, yellowish white zoned with a pale chesnut line; apex very acute, livid, translucent; whorls 20, flattened, constricted at the suture, closely and irregularly ribbed, conspicuously grooved a little above the middle, and below spirally striate with 4 to 5 rather deep, distinct lines. Ribs obtusely angular, about 20 in the last whorls, sometimes confused with the lines of growth. Aperture ovate, narrowed above and expanded anteriorly. Labrum thin, simple; lip reflexed thick; canal short, twisted, corrugated and margined; suture channelled.
I have figured by the side of this species a back and front view of T. Brazieri, Angas. The differences are that the latter is much smaller, has much less distinct ribs, no medium sulcus, no spiral striae, the whorls are faintly coronate, the suture not so well impressed and the color is a more decided yellow with the ribs a pronounced. reddish chesnut.
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EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.
Plate IV.
Fig. 1, and 1a. - Terebra Brazieri, Angas, slightly enlarged.
Fig. 2, and 2a. - Terebra venilia, enlarged.
Fig. 5, and 5a. - Nassa peritrema, with side view and elevation of costa enlarged.
Fig. 7, and 7a. - Clanculus undatoides, enlarged, and view of base nat. size.
