The Ancillariæ are marine shells, few in number, and peculiar to warm latitudes. They are naturally polished, and very much shaped, like the Olives; but the suture, which in those shells is marked by a deep grove, is in these covered by a thick enamel. The animal, we believe, remains unknown. In a monograph of this genus, published in the Journal above quoted, we described fourteen recent, and four fossil species, being all which, at that period, we had seen. Of these, the present is one of the largest, and certainly the most beautiful. Our figure was made from a matchless specimen, received by Mrs. Mawe from China, and now in the collection of Mr. Broderip. We hear, with pleasure, that Mr. George Sowerby has selected this interesting group for an early illustration in his promised _Species Conchyliorum_. The professional opportunities which this zealous Conchologist enjoys will, no doubt, enable him to make considerable and valuable additions to this and every other department of his subject; and he has our cordial good wishes for success in this most laborious undertaking. * * * * * * [Illustration: _Mitra melaniana_] MITRA melaniana. ---- GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Zool. Illustr. 1 Series, Pl. 23. ---- SPECIFIC CHARACTER. _Shell smooth, blackish brown, with very minute punctured transverse striæ; spire attenuated, longer than the aperture; pillar 4-plaited._ Mitra melaniana. _Lam. Syst. 7. p. 314._ M. nigra? _Chem. Conch. 10 Pl. 151. f. 1430, 1431._ M. carbonaria. _Sw. in Bligh. Cat. App. p. 10._ ---- We are acquainted with two shells, perfectly distinct as species, yet sufficiently alike to render Lamarck's description of his M. _melaniana_ applicable to both. In this uncertainty, we at first intended to distinguish _this_ by the name of _carbonaria_, and to consider the other as Lamarck's _melaniana_, but further consideration induces us to alter this arrangement; the second species we propose to illustrate in an early number. Our figure was taken from a full-sized specimen, received from Australia, and now in the Manchester Museum. ---- MITRA tessellata. ---- _Shell ovate, smooth, with remote transverse punctured striæ; whitish, cancellated by transverse and longitudinal fulvous lines; inner lip brown at the base; outer lip smooth._ Mitra tessellata. _Swains. in Brand's Journal, No. 33. p. 34. (Ap. 1824.)_ ---- We have already given a full account of this very rare shell; a repetition of which is rendered unnecessary by the publication of the figures. The specimen from which these were taken, was then in the possession of Mrs. Mawe, whose kindness and liberality, in forwarding our scientific pursuits, has been, for very many years, constant and invariable. We know not its country, nor have we ever seen a second example. Mr. Grey has recently given an additional interest to this group, by publishing an account of the structure of the animal.