Columbella inconstans, nom. mut.

Columbella varians, Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. xvii, 1885, p. 314, pl. xvii, fig. 2; Pliocene Moll. N.Z., in Macleay Mem. Vol., 1893, p. 44, pl. vi, fig. 16 (not of Sowerby, 1832). Surcula varians, Suter, Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. xxxi, 1899, p. 69; Index Faunæ N.Z., 1904, p. 71.

Feeling somewhat doubtful about the correctness of my transferring this species to the genus Surcula, I sent some fossil specimens to Mr. M. Cossmann, asking him to be good enough and give me his opinion on the subject. He very kindly informed me that Captain Hutton had no doubt correctly classified the shell. I was misled by the shallow sinus on the outer lip below the suture. The specific name applied to it by Captain Hutton being preoccupied, I now propose the above.