Larochea miranda n. gen. and sp. (Figs. 6, 7, 8.)

Shell auriform, extremely minute, fragile and translucent; with the facies (but not the notch) of Scissurona Iredale (P.L.S.N.S.W., vol. 49, p. 215, 1924), the spiral striation and planorbid apex of Sinum, the internal shelf of Crepidula, the patulous, rather irregular, aperture of Stomatia, and the suddenly-obliquely-truncated winding columella of Haliotis. Shell of about three whorls, of which the apex forms perhaps one; it is smooth and vitreous, quite indefinite, flatly helicoid, only slightly raised above the surface of the bodywhorl as a weak tabulation. The rest of the shell has dense spiral lineations all over; grooves or ribs are not distinguishable, the spirals being formed of alternate whitish sub-opaque bands separated by equally narrow water-coloured translucent areas: just above the upper subangulation is a more opaque spiral band, about half width of shoulder. Two extremely blunt and rounded angulations above and below periphery. Suture very indistinct. Aperture forming nearly the whole base of the shell, irregularly oval; outer lip thin and sharp, faintly convex and almost horizontal up to the first angulation, more convex and subvertical between first and second, swinging in and up past the second, suddenly twisted on joining inner lip and seeming to divide there, one half being continuous with edge of internal shelf, which also terminates there. Inner lip shining, adherent to parietal wall and base for most of its length, with a slight free edge where it joins outer lip above and a strong inward kink where it joins it below. Base narrow, rather convex, of constant width till suddenly obliquely truncated by the twisted kink at the join of the internal shelf. Interior shining, showing external sculpture plainly, generally smooth, but in some specimens studded with numerous granose pustules. Internal shelf set deep within, rather close to the shell itself, smooth and shining, with a straight but very oblique edge, the lower joint (to inner and outer lips) being much further forward than the upper (within the spire cavity, along the lower edge of the opaque shoulder band).

Length, 1.1 mm.; height, 0.5 mm.

Habitat.—dredged in 12 fathoms, Awanui Bay, North Auckland.

Type in Finlay collection.

The relationships of this curious form are so obscure that it would be profitless at present to discuss them. That it cannot be referred to any austral group yet known is evident, nor can I suggest any Family location with confidence. I therefore indicate it as representative of a new Family, Larocheidae which may be placed provisionally in the neighbourhood of Merriidae. If the umbilicus of Merria or Korovania were so exaggerated and pushed in that an internal plate resulted, something quite like Larochea might be formed.

The genus is named after the discoverer of this very interesting shell, Mr. W. La Roche of Auckland, an enthusiastic collector.

Austrofusus glans agrestior n. subsp. (Figs. 1, 3, 11, 12.)

This is again the Forsterian representative of the Cookian A. glans (Bolten), Wellington specimens of which are here figured for