Voluta vel Mitra episcopalis, _Auct._ (Lam. Syst. 7. 299.) ---- We view this elegant, though common shell, as the type of the Lamarkean Mitres, a group we shall hereafter consider as a sub-family. It is common in various parts of the Asiatic Ocean, and sometimes occurs of gigantic size: in its natural state it is covered with a thin olive epidermis. We regret that the nature of this work will not permit us to do more than furnish the clue, to the natural arrangement of the two typical groups of this family, _Voluta_ and _Mitra_. The first of these we have, indeed, pledged ourselves to enter upon more fully in _Exotic Conchology_. But the arrangement of the Volutes is so intimately connected with that of the Mitres, that we scarcely know how to illustrate one, without perpetually adverting to the other. The two typical groups of the Lamarkian _Mitræ_ we now characterise from their shells; they correspond to those of the typical Volutes; while their internal relations may be learned from the respective types of form here designated. The genera _Mitra_ and _Tiara_, each present a circular series of affinities, and are united by the fourth type in each group. Even a partial study of this disposition will reveal to the Conchologist a harmony of design, amid the greatest diversity of structure, which he could scarcely have suspected in the mere covering of an animal. The shells which appear associated with _M. episcopalis_, in this type of form, are never coronated: the only external sculpture which they in general possess, are delicate rows of minute punctured dots, in the typical examples, as _Pertusa_, _millipora_, _versicolor_, the outer lip is acutely toothed; while in the aberrant species, _Melaniana_, _tessellata_, _scutulata_, _&c_. this part is smooth. * * * * * * [Illustration: MITRANÆ Pl. 5. _1. Tiara isabella. 2. sulcata._] TIARA isabella. _Fawn coloured Mitre._ ---- Order Zoophaga. Family Volutidæ. Sub-Family Mitrianæ. (G. Mitra. Auct.) GENERIC CHARACTER. _Animal_---- Shell turrited, fusiform, the _base_ contracted and slightly recurved; _pillar_ with 4-5 plaits, the upper plait sulcated: _outer lip_ smooth, or entire. _Aperture_ narrow, striated within, and presenting an internal groove at its upper extremity. _Nobis._ Types of Form. 1, _M. Corrugata_. 2, _Regina_. 3, _Sanguisuga_. 4, _Microzonias_. 5, _Isabella_. ---- SPECIFIC CHARACTER. _Ti. (Ty. 5) Shell slender, fawn coloured, unspotted, marked by slender crowded, transverse, convex ribs, the interstices deeply cancellated; inner lip wanting, outer lip crenately undulate; pillar 5 plaited._ ----