THE

NAUTILUS

A MONTHLY JOURNAL

DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF

CONCHOLOGISTS

VOL. XV

MAY, 19Ol,to APRIL, 1902

PHILADELPHIA

Published by H. A. TILSBRY and C. W. JOHNSON

At?

INDEX

TO

THE NAUTILUS, VOL. XV.

INDEX TO SUBJECTS AND SPECIES.

Adamsiella jarvisi Henderson, n. sp. . . . . .49

Aglaja purpurea (Bergh), at SanvPedre, Cal. . . .72

Alabina Dall, a new name for Elachista Dall & Simpson . 127

Alasmidonta marginata Say ..... 16, 47

Amphidromus laevus Miill. ....... 8

Anomia aculeata Gmel. ....... 130

Anomia glabra Yerr. ........ 130

Aperostoma sanctsemarthte P. & C., n. sp. .... 134

Aperostoma smithi P. & C., n. 8p. ..... 135

Aplexa hypnorum var. tryoni Currier .... 112

Aqnillus Montf. = Lampusia Schum. ..... 108

Area pexata Say ........ 93

Area transversa Say ........ 93

Ashmunella, an evolving ....... 35

Ashmunella antiqua Cockerell . . . . . .110

Ashmunella, notes on . . . . . . .109

Ashmunella porterse, Cockerell ..... 109, 110

Ashmunella thomsoniana Cockerell .... 109, 110

Bittium (Elachista) californicum Dall, n. sp. 58

Bythinella obtusa Lea, the synonymy of . . .30

Cantharidus, notes on two species of . . . . .8

Carychium cymatoplax Pils., n. sp 23

Cepolis milled Pfr 86

Ceratodiscus solutus Simp. & Henderson, n. gen. and sp. . 73

(iii)

IV THE NAUTITUS.

Cerion marmoratum Pfr. ....... 85

Chiton, an abnormal .... 53

Chiton, a new Triassic ...... 8

Chloritis perpunctatus Pils., n. sp. 116

Ckondropoma hjahnarsoni Pfr. ... .86

Cincinnatia eraarginata (Kiist.) ...... 3'2

Circinaria ponsonbyi P. & C,, n. sp. ... . 134

Circinaria ponsonlryi clara P. & C., n. var. . . . 135

Colombian Clausilia, a new . 39

Colombian Pleurodonte, a new . . .34

Correspondence 12, 36, 48

Crandall, Orestes A. ...... 60

Crenella glandula ........ 106

Ctenopoma hydii Weinl. .... 86

Cyclotus hirasei Pils., n. sp. • • • . . - .22

Cylindrella (Anoma) abnormis Vend ryes, n. sp. . . 3

Cylindrella (Anoma) cognata Vendees, n. sp. . . . 1

Cylindrella (Anoma) inusitata Vendrj-es, n. sp. 1

Cylindrella (Anoma) propinqua Vendryes, n. sp. . 2

Cylindrella (Thaumasia) instabilis Vendryes, n. sp. . . 4

Cylindrella (Thaumasia) sanguinea var. perplexa, Vendryes.

n. var 3

Cyprse& eitrina Gray ... . .83

Dean, George W. .... ... 48

Diplommatina cassa Pils., n. sp. ... . 23, 64

Diplommatina dormitor Pils., n. sp. ..... 142

Diplommatina insularum Pils., n. sp. . . . . .22

Diplommatina kobelti Ekrm ... .23

Diplommatina }^akushimse Pils., n. sp. . . . .64

Elachista, note on the name ...... 127

Ennea iwakawa var. yakushinice Pils., n. var. . . .65

Epiphragmopbora kellettii, on Santa Catalina Is. . . 72

Euconulus fulvus Drap. ....... 129

Eulota (Coelorus) caviconus Pils., n. sp. .... 117

Eulota (Euhadra) submandarina Pils. . . . .61

Fortune Island, Bahamas, land shells of . . .85

Ganesella adelinae Pils., n. sp. . . . . 64, 116

Ganesella optima Pils., n. sp. . . . . . 116

Ganesella sororcula Pils., n. sp. . . . . .116

THE NAUTILUS. V

Ganesella tanegashimse Pils., n. sp. . . . .63

Gastrodonta clappi Pils. ....... 37

Georissa luchuana Pils., n. sp. . . . . . 21

General notes 8, 35, 46, 71, 83, 119, 144

Glandina callista P. & C., n. sp. .t . . . . 133

Goniobasis virginica in Massachusetts . . . .83

Great Barrier Reef, a day on the . . . . . .97

Haiti, a new land operculate from , ,,. . . . .73

Haiti, collecting in ........ 13

Helicina cacaguelita P. & C., n. sp. . . . . . 186

Helicina santaemarthffi P. & C., n. s. . . . . • 136

Helicost.yla carinata Lea, and H. dactj^lus Brod. . . 8

Helix aspersa increasing in California . . . .119

Hirasea Pils., n. gen. . . ... . . . .118

Hirasea chichijimana Pils., n. sp. ..... 119

Hirasea diplomphalus Pils., n. sp. ..... 142

Hirasea goniobasis Pils., n. sp. ...... 142

Hirasea nesiotica Pils., n. sp. . . . . . .119

Hirasea sinuosa Pils., n. sp. ...... 118

Hirasiella Pils., n. gen. . . . . . . .142

Hirasiella clara Pils., n. sp. . ... . . . 143

Hyatt, Alpheus 143

Ischnochiton conspicuus Cpr. (with six valves). . 53, 144

Jamaican Adamsiella, a new ...... 49

Jamaican land shell, a new ....... 33

Jamaican Pleurodonte, a new species and sub-species of .101

Jamaican Urocoptidae ....... 1

Japan, new land shells from ..... 18, 116

Japanese Vivipara in California . . . . . .91

Kaliella austeniana Pils., n. sp. . . . . . .20

Kaliella ruida Pils., n. sp. . . . . . . .21

Kaliella yaeyamensis Pils., n. sp. ..... 21

Lampsilis sapperi v. Ihering n. sp. . . . .50

Latrunculus Gray = Eburna Lam. . . . . .108

Limax montanus Ingersoll. . . . . . .129

Limnaea ampla Mighels, the original localit}7 of . . 127

Limnaea auricularia in America . . . . . .59

Limnaea emarginata Say var. montana Elrod, n. var. . Ill

Limnaea nuttalliana Lea 89

VI THE NAUTILUS.

Limnaea palustris Mull. . . . . . . .111

Limnaea reflexa jolietensis Baker, n. var. . . . .17

Limnaea stagnalis L. var. appressa Say . . . .110

Liomesus nassula Dall, n. sp. . . . . .89

Loo Choo Islands, new land shells from the . . 18, 61

Lucapina crenulata Sowb., animal of . . . . .71

Lucina, a gigantic fossil ....... 40

Lucina megameris Dall, n. sp. . . . . .41

Macrochlamys cerasina Pils., n. sp. ..... 117

Mandarina exoptata Pils., n. sp. . . . . .117

Margaritana margaritifera L 89

Meseschiza grosvenorii Lea, Notes on .... 5

Microcystina hahajimana Pils., n. sp. .... 118

Modiolaria discors L. ....... 106

Modiolus hamatus Say ....... 96

Modiolus rnodiolus L. 104

Modiolus plicatulus Lam. . . . . . . .105

Mollusks, the approximate number of . . . .46

Monoplex Perry = Ranularia Schum . . . .108

Montana, collecting shells in . . . 86,103,110,129

Mytilus edulis L. ........ 94

Mytilus pellucidus Penn. ....... 95

Navanax inermis Cooper, ....... 72

Nenia smithiae Pils., n. sp. . . . . . . 37, 39

Ostrea borealis Lam. ........ 131

Ostrea virginica Lam. . . . . . . .131

Pecten irradians Lam. . . . . . . .113

Pecten tenuicostatus Migh. and Ad. . . . . .113

Physa anatina Lea ........ 57

Physa ancillaria Say ....... 42, 128

Physa ampullacea Gould ... . . . . .112

Physa billingsi Heron . . . . . . .56

Physa brevispira Lea ....... 57

Physa crassa Walker ........ 43

Physa crocata Lea . ... . . . . .70

Physa cubensis Pfr. ........ 58

Physa deform is Currier ....... 55

Physa distorta Hald 70

Physa elliptica Lea . ... . . . . .54

THE NAUTILUS. VI 1

Pt»3'sa elliptica minor Crandall, n. var. . . . .55

Physa forsheyii Lea ........ 69

Physa globosa Hald. . . . . . . . .71

Physa grosvenorii Lea ....... 69

Physa gyrina var. albofilata Ancey . . . . .54

Physa gyrina Say ....... 45.112

Physa heterostropha Say 28,112

Physa heterostropha alba Crandall, n. var. . . .29

Physa hildrethiana Lea ....... 45

Physa integer Hald. ........ 56

Physa lordi Baird . . . . . . . .44

Ph}?sa magnilacustris Walker . . . . . .43

Physa microstoma Hald. ....... 70

Physa niagarensis Lea . . . . . .55

Physa oleacea Tryon ........ 45

Physa parkeri Currier ....... 44

Physa philippi Kiister ....... 29

Physa plicata DeKay . . . . . . .29

Physa pompilia Conrad . . . . . . ,70

Physa rhomboidea Crandall, n. sp. . . . . 37, 44

Physa sayi Tappan ........ 43

Physa solida Phil 71

Physa tenuissima Lea . . . . . . .71

Physa troostiana Lea ....... 55

Physa vinosa Gould ........ 43

Physa walkeri Crandall, n. sp. . . . . 37, 57

Physa warreniana Lea ....... 44

Physse, the American 25,42,54,69

Pisidium afflne Sterki, n. sp. . . . . .66

Pisidium sargenti Sterki, n. sp. . . . . . .67

Pisidium strengii Sterki, n. sp 126

Pisidium variabile Prime ....... 132

Pisidium virginicum Gmel. ...... 132

Planorbis bicarinatus striatus Baker, n. var. . . . 120

Planorbis parvus Say ...... 104, 128

Planorbis trivolvis Say . . . . . . .103

Pleurobema missouriensis Marsh, n. sp. . . . .74

Pleurodonte acuta Lain. ...... 138, 140

Pleurodonte acuta var. acutissima 140

Vlll THE NAUTILUS.

Pleurodonte acuta var. julia . . . . . .140

Pleurodonte acuta var. lucerna Mull. . . . . .140

Pleurodonte acuta var. sublucerna Pils. .... 140

Pleurodonte adarnsiana Clapp, n. sp. .... 33, 37

Pleurodonte bainbridgei Pfr. ..... 138, 141

Pleurodonte carmelita Fer. . . . . . 137, 138

Pleurodonte chemnitziana Pfr. ..... 137, 138

Pleurodonte (Labyrinthus) Clappi Pils., n. sp. . . 34, 37

Pleurodonte gigantea . . . . . . 14, 36

Pleurodonte ingens var. imperforata Adams . . . 138

Pleurodonte ingens var. indigna Adams .... 138

Pleurodonte ingens Adams ..... 137, 138

Pleurodonte oxytenes Adams ..... 137, 140

Pleurodonte patina Adams ..... 137, 138

Pleurodonte patina var. nobilis Adams .... 138

Pleurodonte pretiosa Adams ..... 138, 141

Pleurodonte soror Fer. var. peracuta Yendryes, n. var. . 102

Pleurodonte spengleriana Pfr. ..... 138, 141

Pleurodonte subacuta Pfr. . . . . . . 137, 138

Pleurodonte vacillans Yendryes, n. sp. . . . .101

Pleurotomaria, note on the name . . . . .127

Pleurotomarius = - Pleurotoma . . . . . .127

Polygyra devia var. bemphilli "W. G. B. . . . .129

Polygyra thyroides sanctisimonis Pils., n. var. ... 8

Polygyra townsendiana var. ptychophora A. D. Brown . 129

Polymesoda, the generic name for the American C}rrenas . 48

Potamides (Cerethidea) californica, how it travels . . 82

Pristophora — Serridens ....... 144

Pyramidula alternata, the sub-species of . . . .6

Pyramidula alternata var. kuoxensis Pils., n. var. . . 6

Pyramidula elrodi Pils. . . . . . . .130

Publications received . . . 9, 24, 36, 84, 107

Quadrula andrewsii Marsh, n. sp. ..... 115

Quadrula lananensis Frierson, n. sp. . . . . . 75

Rhode Island, the shell-bearing mollusca of 92, 104, 113, 130

Septidse, a new term for Tritonidee 108

Serridens oblongus Cpr 144

Simpson, George B 107

Sphaerium partumeium Say 103

THE NAUTILUS. IX

Strophitus wrightianus Walker, n. sp. . 65

Succinea nnttalliana Lea ... . 129

Tamiosoma Conrad, a sessile Cirripede . . . 120

Tethys (Neaplysia) ritteri Cockerell, n. sp. . 90

Texas oil-well fossil ...... .74

Tornatellina inexpectata Pils., n. sp. ... .23

Trachypleura triadomarchica ...

Trishoplita collinsoui var. casta Pils., n. var. . .19

Trishoplita hiugensis Pils., n. sp. . 20

Truncatella stimpsoni guadalupensis Pils., n. var. . 83

Truncatella subcylindrica Linn. . . . . .119

Truncatella truncatula (Drap.) in the United States . . 35

Unio, a new species of ....... 65

Unio from Missouri, description of a new . . .74

Unio from Tennessee, description of a new . . .115

Unio from Texas, a new ....... 75

Unionidae of North America .... 37, 50

Unionidae, on the classification of the . . .77

Urocoptidae, new Jamaican. .... 1

Valvata bicarinata Lea. ....... 123

Valvata bicarinata normalis Walker, n. var. . . . 124

Valvata tricarinata Say. ...... l'-3, 127

Valvata tricarinata confusa Walker, n. var. . . 123

Valvata tricarinata simplex Gould ..... 123

Valvata tricarinata unicarinata Dekay. .... 123

Valvata utahensis Call. ....... 124

Valvatas of the United States, a revision of the carinate . 121

Vivipara stelmaphora Bgt. of Japan, in California . . 91

Volutimitra, a new species of ...... 102

Volutimitra alaskana Dall., n. sp. ..... 103

Wagner Free Institute of Science, Transactions of . . Ill

Wetherby, Prof. A. G 144

Yoldia sapotilla Gould . ... 92

INDEX TO AUTHORS.

AJdrich, T. H. . 74

Ancey, C. F. 83

Baker, Frank C 17, 59, 120

Bartsch, Paul ......... 58

Carpenter, Horace F 92, 104, 113, 130

Clapp, Geo. H 33, 133

Clarke, J. M .107

Cockerell, T. D A 72, 90, 109

Cooper, Mary 109

Crandall, 0. A 25, 42, 54, 69

Ball, Wm. H 12, 40, 58, 89, 102, 127

Elrod, Morton J. 86, 103, 110, 129

Fox, Wm. J j ... 47

Fluck, Wm. H 48

Frierson, Lorraine S. . . . . . . . .75

Gaylord, Mrs. E. M 72

Hedley, Charles 97

Henderson, J. B., Jr. . . . . . 13,49,73,85

Hinkley, A. A. . . . . . . . . .5

Ihering, H. von . . . . . . . 37, 50

Jarvis, P. W 137

Johnson, C. W 35,36,46,143

Keep, Josiah ......... 119

Kelsey, F. W 144

Kendig, A. B 36

Marsh, Wm. A 74, 115

Nylande-r, Olof 0 127

Pilsbry, Henry A. . 6, 8, 18, 34, 39, 61, 83, 116, 119, 133, 141

Simpson, C. T 16,73,79

Stearns, R. E. C 53, 91

Xll THE NAUTILUS.

Sterki, Y 66, 120

Vendryes, Henry 1, 101

Walker, Bryant . .... 30, 63, 121

Williamson, Mrs. M. Burton . . . . . 9, 82

Winkley, Henry W. . . 83

THI: NAUTILI'S, XA7.

PLATK I.

m

9

VE DRYKS: NEW JAMAICAN

THE NAUTILUS.

VOL. XV. MAY, 1901. No. 1.

NEW JAMAICAN UROCOPTID.E.

BY HENRY VENDRYES.

Cylindrelht (A now a) inusitata, Vendryes. PI. I, tigs. 1 and 2.

Shell much elongated, cylindrical, rimate, somewhat shining and

transparent, color light brown ; spire slightly tapering both above

and below its greatest diameter, which is about the middle ;

truncate with the loss of 7 to 8 whorls, whorls remaining 11 to 12,

planulate, shouldered by an early obsolete angle, the last detached

and descending, strongly carinated at the base, the carina extending

to the back of the aperture ; striae waved, strong and compact, cross-

ing the whorls obliquely and continued up to and many crossing over

the edge of the suture, which appears fringed here and there by their

intrusion ; aperture like that of Dunkeriana, but rather larger in

proportion to the shell, and less oblique than in that species, well

produced over the penult, whorl. Height 18 mm., greatest breadth

above the middle of the spire, 3£ mm.; aperture, 3 mm. high, 2^

mm. wide.

This species is remarkable for its produced and detached aper-

ture, placing it in the same group to which princeps belongs.

Specimens were received from Mr. Bancroft, who collected them on

the mountains at Upper Leighton, near Spring Garden estate in the

parish of Saint George.

CylindraJla (Anuma) coynata, Vendryes. PI. I, figs. 3, 4.

Shell rimate, cylindrical, elongated, color very light pale brown ;

spire tapering from the last whorl to the summit ; apex truncate,

with the loss of 7 to 8 whorls, whorls remaining 11 to 12, subplan-

2 THE NAUTILUS.

ulate, slightly shouldered, the last detached and descending, strongly

carinated at the base, carina continued to the back of the aperture ;

striae very strong and compact, irregularly spaced and waved here

and there, t-ome crossing over the sutures from one whorl to the

other ; aperture as in inusitafa, but less elliptical, well produced be-

yond the penult whorl. Height, 1 "» mm.; greatest breadth, 3 mm.;

aperture, 2^ mm. high, 2^ mm. wide.

I am indebted for specimens of this shell to Mr. Hart, at one time

Superintendent of Public Gardens and Plantations in Jamaica, and

now occupying a similar position in Trinidad, by whom they were

collected tit the government cinchona plantations in the mountains

of Saint Andrew, about 5,500 feet above sea level.

One of the specimens being alive, I obtained the radula, but failed

in securing the buccal plate. The teeth are of the type common to

MM. Crosse & Fischer's first group A. of Cylindrellre. The animal

is very small in proportion to the shell. It is spiral behind the man-

tle, short, of a pearly-white color, slightly mixed witli green, and

marked with close-waved, narrow, longitudinal brown lines, not ex-

tending to the lapping of the foot; head short, with a simple labial

appendage, apparently incapable of much projection ; eye peduncles

short, slender, of a deep bistre color, except on the lips, where the

color is like that of the body; eyes very black, placed on the bulb-

shaped tips of the peduncles ; tentacles short and very slender ; foot

broad ami lance-shaped behind. The animal is very active for a

Cylindrella. Ir progresses by extending forward the forepart of the

foot and drawing the afterpart up to it in a sort of wave. Part of

the shell drags lightly on the ground and is carried forward with

each fresh advance of the foot.

OyUndrella (Anoma) propingua Vendryes. PI. 1, figs. 7, 8.

Shell rimatc, cylindrical, nearly white, under a light brown epi-

dermis, which becomes paler towards the apex; the spire widens very

gently from the base of the penult whorl to about one-third above it,

where the greatest diameter is reached, and thence it tapers to the

truncate apex ; apex truncate with the loss of 8 to 9 whorls, whorls

remaining 10, less deep and less flattened than on Dunkeriana, the

first two above the base subangular about the periphery, the last more

strongly carinated than in Dnnkeriana, with the carina continued

down to the base of the aperture ; striae very strong, compact and

THE NAUTILUS. ."

wavy, extending across (lie \vliorls to tlrj very edge of the well-

impressed suture; aperture oblique like that of Duiikeriana, but the

peristome is thinner and is appressed above to the penult whorl.

Height 13 mill., greatest breadth at the slender part of the spire 3

mill.

The shell comes near to Dunkertana, but it has 10 whorls which

are less planulate than on that species, and the striation is rather

coarser and less regular ; the color of Dunkeriana is also different.

Gloyne, in Journ. de Couch., vol. — , reports it as siniilis from Belle-

vue. Bland had identified them with great doubt as siinilis. On

closer examination they turned out to be unlike siniilis or any other

Jamaican species of Anoma.

Hab. : Bellevue, near Stony Hill, in the. parish of Saint Andrews,

(!) Vendryes. (!) Gloyne.

Oylindretta (Tliaumasia) sanguinea Pfeitler, var. perplexa Vendryes.

PI. I, figs. 11, 12.

This variety was collected at(!) Water House, an abandoned sugar

estate, now turned into a grazing pen and negro provision grounds,

in the upper northern portion of the Liguinea plain, \\here the lime-

stone hills of the Rod Hills range, begin to rise. The aperture is

produced and the peristome is detached all round ; whilst in the

typical sanguined the peristome above is closely soldered to the

body-whorl, and often so much attenuated at the point of attachment

as to form a thin film. The shell is of medium size and .dark

colored ; there is a narrow line of a deeper tint than the ground color,

but rather dingy, running next to the suture along the lower part of

it and extending to within it. This form is very persistent in the

locality mentioned.

CylindreUa (Anoma^) ttbnormis Vendryes. PI. I, figs, o, G.

Shell deeply rirnate, cylindrical!}' elongated, color brown with a

very slight tint of yellowish-red, shining ; spire broadly truncate with

the loss of — whorls, whorls remaining 9, the last and the three fol-

lowing it are more drawn out and consequently deeper than the

remaining ones, the last is slightly narrower in diameter than the

second, the second than the third, and the third than the fourth,

thence the remaining whorls become less deep and gradually diminish

in diameter to the truncated apex, so that the outline of the shell

presents the form of a long, narrow, drawn-out purse, somewhat

4 THE NAUTILUS.

bulging about the middle, and thence tapering towards the bottom ;

whorls slightly convex, obtusely angulated at the periphery, sculp-

tured with strong, thick lamella-like costulae crossing the whorls

obliquely, generally curvilinear, irregular in some places and wavy

here and there, extending to the very shoulder of the whorls, the last

whorl with a prominent carina which extends to the back of the base

of the aperture close to the peristome ; suture well incised ; aperture

inclining to the right, the plane very oblique, peristome thick, nearly

white, smooth and shining, reflected all around, with a very large,

strong, elevated knob close over the spot where the columellar lip

should merge into the columella, and apparently arched over the

space of the entering rima beneath. Total length, 11 mm.; greatest

breadth at middle of spire, 3 mm.; next above the aperture, 2 mm.;

at the truncation, 2 mm.

This shell was collected by me among tine earth and vegetable

debris taken from the roadsides near to Brown's Town, in the parish

of Saint Ann. Unfortunately, as its presence was only revealed to

me when searching this debris some time afterwards at home, no

note was kept of the exact habitat and station. It is as yet unique

in my collection. It is unlike any species of Anoma with which I

am acquainted, and its peculiarities would seem to warrant the

creation of a new subgenus, or at least of a special section to receive

it. The reasons for this appear to me to be as cogent as were those

which led to the creation of the subgenus Chittya for Geomelania

sinuosa.

CylindreUa (Thauma&ici) histabilis Vendryes. PI. I, figs. 9, 10.

Shell ovate-cylindrical, solid, rimate ; color dark-sanguineous,

not unlike that of some specimens of CyL sanyuinea, but the sur-

face of instabih's exhibits in most specimens semi-hydrophanous, more

or less wide, transverse patches sparsely and irregularly occurring,

and apparently produced by some indistinct lesions of the very thin

epidermis; spire describing a well-drawn-out ovate outline; apex

broadly truncate with the loss of (J to 7 of the earlier volutions,

whorls remaining 7 to 8, almost entirely plane in some examples, or

moderately convex in others , subarcuately, obliquely and closely

costulate strife ; the last whorl not detached in some examples, and

detached and produced in others, and generally more strongly

sculptured than the penult and other whorls, with a well-pro-

THE NAUTILUS. O

nounced carina at the base ; suture lightly impressed and submar-

gined ; aperture slightly oblique, circular in some examples or trans-

versely narrowed in others; peristome slightly tinged with the

prevailing ground color of the shell, well expanded all around and

reflected, not continuous above, but, attenuated or reduced to a mere

film '.md appressed to the body whorl in some examples, or in other?

detached and continuous, and produced outward near the upper part

of the right side of the aperture and with a sinus or notch on the

produced part. Long., 24 to 25 mm.; diam. at middle of spire, 9

to 10 mm.; aperture with peristome appressed, 8 mm. high and

wide; when produced and with peristome detached, 6 mm. high,

and 6 to 7 mm. wide.

In several of its characters this species is rather inconsistent. In

specimens found side by side and manifestly of the same brood, some

examples show strong affinities with Thaumasia sanguined, others

with Thaumasia cylindrus, others again with Gongylostoma lata

(? Thaumasia lata), in so fur that it becomes often very difficult to

locate them decisively.

In the two specimens figured, one has the lip appressed, as in

sanguinea ; in the otl'er it is detached and expanded towards the

right side of the aperture and bears a notch or sinus. In one the

sculpture is decidedly like that of sanguinea, on the other it is like

that of cylindrus, but stronger. In specimens with the aperture but

slightly produced and the peristome uninterrupted by attenuation and

adhesion to the body whorl, or produced and not bearing a sinus, the

resemblance to lata is very great.

Habitat : (!) Phoenix Park, near the Monarque in the parish of

Saint Ann ; (!) environs of Brown's Town in the same parish.

NOTES ON MESESCHIZA GROSVENORII LEA.

It is now over thirty-seven years since Mr. Lea described this spe-

cies, and additional specimens have not been reported. In his Mono-

graph of tl:e family Strepomatidse, Mr. Tryon says, in a foot-note page

350, " every specimen examined shows evidence of diseased growth."

In the description, the location of notch is stated to be inconstant

or wanting. Admitting then that the notch of this species is a de-

formity, where should the specimens described by Mr. Lea be placed ?

The notch being a deformity, the genus would not stand, because that

D THE NAUTILUS.

is the distinguishing point of tlie genera, like tlie fissure nf Schizos-

toma. I am of tlie opinion that Mr. Lea's specimens are young

Angitrema armigera Say, for the following reasons : The young of

armigera is generally smooth, is fusiform, thin, obtusely conical and

of various shades and markings, from a light straw-color to purple,

occasionally seven banded while six is common ; the aperture is

large and rhomboidal, obtuse longitudinal thickenings are common

on body whorl, a light line under the suture is also common in banded

and purple specimens, base channel well defined. Polar point of the

operculurn well removed from the margin. There is no other species

found in the Wabash that has so many points of resemblance ; about

the only point of difference is the number of whorls, five to six in the

young armigera I have, while Mr. Lea's description says seven.

There are some other species I think must be referred to Angilrema

armigera, but additional specimens from other localities are needed

to fully determine the identity. — A. A. HINKLEY.

THE SUBSPECIES OF PYRAMIDULA ALTERNATA.

BY HENRY A. PILSBRY.

Pyramidula alfernata knoxensis, n. v.

A more robust, Ia7-ger shell than typical P. alternate, with more

widely open umbilicus; dull rusty brown, with comparatively incon-

spicuous or much-reduced flame-markings. Whorls 5^, not carinated.

Sculpture of fine and even rib-strias, but little weaker on the base, the

whole covered with a secondary sculpture of fine wrinkles, partially

cuticular, and running a little more obliquely than the rib-stria>.

This minute wrinkling is barely visible to the naked eye, but is much

stronger than in other forms of P. alternata, and gives the surface a

peculiarly dull appearance.

Alt. 11, diam. 23, width of umbilicus G^ mm. (Knox Co., Tenn.).

Alt. 11, diam. 23, width of umbilicus 7 mm. (Laurel Creek Gap).

Alt. 13, diarn. 25, width of umbilicus 7^ mm. (Hazel Creek).

This remarkable race of P. alternata belongs, so far as we know,

to the valleys of the western slope of the Great Smoky mountains,

extending into the valley of East Tennessee. It was first found by

Mrs. George Andrews, in Knox county, Tenn. During the past

summer Mr. Jas, H. Ferries found it in Cade's Cove, at Laurel Creek

THE NAUTILUS. i

Gap and Hazel Creek. We saw nothing of it on higher elevations

in tlie Great Smokies, the localities mentioned lying below 2000 ft.

elevation. In the collection of Geo. II. Clapp there is a single shell

from the .las. Lewis coll. labeled "Philadelphia, Monroe Co., Tenn.,"

probably collected by Miss Law, and measuring: Alt. 13, diam. 24,

umbilicus 7i mm.

No intergrades with typical P. alternata, P. </. carinata or /'. a.

costata have been observed. It is remarkable for the strong devel-

opment of the secondary sculpture, with fine primary sculpture of rib-

strife, the unkeeled, capacious whorls, wide umbilicus, and dead, rusty

surface. Messrs. Clapp and Ferriss agree witli me in considering

this a strongly differentiated subspecies.

The following subspecies of P. alternata are now recognized :

P. alternata (Say).

P. alternata fergusoni (Bid.). N. Y. to Md.

P. alternata rarinotata Pils. Texas.

P. alternata carinata Pils. Pa. to Tenn., in western division ot

the Appalachian Mt. system.

P. alternata hioxensis Pils. Knox, Blount and Monroe Cos., Tenn.

P. alternata costata ' Lewis ' Clapp. Grenty Smoky Mts.

P. alternata mordax (Shuttl.). Great Smoky Mts. (?)

The last variety has not yet been rediscovered ; the ^mordax" in

collections being referable, so far as I have seen, to a strongly-ribbed

form of P. alternata, which has not been named ; and not fulfilling

the requirements of Shuttleworth's diagnosis. P. alternata carinata

includes strongly angular or keeled, but finely striate shells of the

mountainous region from western Pennsylvania to Tennessee. It was

defined in my paper on Rhoads' Tennessee shells ; and is not known

to occur in the Tenn.-N. C. boundary ranges. I have never seen

any true intergrades between P. alternata and P. cumber I andiana.

and consider the latter a well-defined species.

There is also a color var. alba Tryon, of P. aJternata (Amer. Journ.

of Conch, ii, p. 2G1, and Monog. Terr. Moll. U. S., p. 49). This

occurs abundantly in certain localities within the area of typical

alternata. Thus in Philadelphia, alba is found along the Wissahickon

Creek, while in other localities in this vicinity the ordinary aJternata

is found. This color-var. is not really white, but merely albinistic ;

it lacks the spots and flames of the typical form. It is also found in

Michigan, etc.

8 THE NAUTILUS.

GENERAL NEWS.

POLYGYRA THYROIDES SANCTisiMONis n. var. — Spire more conic

than in thyroidcs, composed of 5g whorls which are more closely

coiled ; body-whorl decidedly more depressed ; umbilicus open.

Aperture smaller than in thyroides, transversely elliptical, being

much less rounded than in thyroides. Shell rather solid, with opaque

cuticle, often more yellow than in thyroides. Alt. 15, diam. 23 mm.

St. Simon's Island, Georgia. — H. A. PILSBRY.

HELICOSTYLA CARINATA Lea, and H. DACTYLUS Brod. — In the

Manual of Conchology, viii, p. 22, I showed that Lea's Bulimus cari-

iidhis is identical with and was published prior to Bulinus dactylus

Brod., and consequently should be accepted in place of the latter.

This decision must now be reversed, on account of the earlier Buli-

mus cnriuolus Perry, 1.811, which preoccupies Lea's name, and which

I was not aware of when the ruling was made. — H. A. PILSBRY.

NOTE ON TWO SPECIES OF CANTHARIDUS. — It has not been

noticed, I believe, that Bulimus eximus Perry, Conchology, pi. 30,

f. 2 (1811), is identical with Cautharidus bad-ins Wood (18 — ), and

Bulimus carinutus Perry, f. 1, is C. peronii Phil. (1850). Perry's

figures are very good, for him, and quite recognizable. He gives

Van Diemen's Land as locality for the former, New Holland for the

latter species. So far as I can see, his names will stand for these

species H. A. PILSBRY.

AMIMIIHROMUS LJSVUS (Mull.). — In my account of this species in

the Manual of Conclioloyy (1900) the "Helix Iseva" of Miiller was

called Ampkidromus Isevis. Mr. G. H. Chadwick has called my

attention to the mistake, Miiller's word being the adjective Jsevus,

left, referring to the sinistral or " left-handed " coil of the shell.

— H. A. P.

A NEW TRIASSIO CHITON. — Mr. Otto Jaekel describes (Zeitschr.

del- Deutschen geologischen Gesellschaft, vol. 52, 1900, p. 9) a new

form from Riidersdorf as Trachyphura triadomarchica. All of the

THE NAUTILUS. 9

valves are preserved in place, with fragments of the girdle. The

valves lack insertion-plates, and also otherwise have the general

characters of the modern Lepift»/>/?itrits, while the girdle is armed

with spines \vhich are believed by Jaekel to have been calcareous.

The length, without girdle, is about 16, breadth 9 mm. The genus

is evidently extremely like Lepidopleurw in hard parts, and so far as

the figures and description show, indistinguishable from the recent

genus except in the character of the girdle armature. It is quite

unlike any of the known Palaeozoic genera. — H. A. P.

PUBLICATIONS EECEIVED.

SYNOPSIS OF THE FAMILY CARIMIDJK AND OF THE NORTH

AMERICAN SPECIES. BY WILLIAM HEALEY DALL. PROC. U. S.

NAT. Mus. VOL. xxni, PP. 381-392, 1900.— As Tryon and Pils-

bry's " Manual of Conchology " does not yet include Pelecypoda, the

necessity for monographs giving the latest investigations in system-

atic changes is apparent. Students are deeply indebted to Dr. Wm.

H. Dall for his recent monographs on several families of bivalve

rnollusks, including the Mactracea, Diplodontida?, Leptonacea, Psam-

mobiidre, Solenidje, Tellinida? and Cardiida-.

In the bulletin on Cardiidse there are no plates, but there is a bibli-

ography followed by a synopsis of the family which includes a " sub-

division of the family included as a whole." The " brackish water

forms associated with Adacna" are no longer included in this family.

The principal changes in nomenclature of the East American

species since Dr. Dall's " Marine Mollusks of the South Eastern

Coast," are as follows :

Cardium magnum Born is included under the name of C- (Dfno-

cardiitm*) robiistum Solander, which is the older name ; this does not

include C. magnum Linnaeus, which Dr. Dall thinks is probably C.

(Trachycardiurn) leucostoma Born. In subgenus Papyridea, spino-

sitm takes the place of bitllatinn, or bullata, of " many authors but not

of Linnaeus," and P. petitianum Orbigny is a synonym of/5, semisul-

catum Gray. Liocardium l<zvigatum is a synonym of (,'ardhnn

( Lcevicardium ) serratum Linnaeus.

The West American species include Cardiums found in the Gulf

of California and ranging further south. This adds to the number

of West Coast species.

10 THE NAUTILUS.

Collectors who have readily detected a varietal difference in the

lighter weight of shells sent out as Cardium nuttallii Conrad, may

regret that these shells are not recognized even as a variety, but are

included in I lie synonym of Cardium (Cerastoderma) corbis Martyn.

Card him b/andum Gould is a synonym of C. (Cerastodcrma) caJifor-

niensis Deshayes. Cardium (Cerastodermv} ciliatum O. Fabricius ( C.

islandicum Chemnitz (a synonym) and Serripes gronlandicus Gmelin

are Arctic sea species that are tound on the Atlantic and Pacific

shores. Cardium asperxum Sowerby is listed as a variety of the

eastern coast Cardium (Pupyridea) spinosum.

Dr. Dall says Carditnn (Lcevicardium) elalum Sowerby " is the

largest species of the genus." We have often noted the variation in

shape of some uf the large cardiums of the West Coast; he says of

these oval and rotund forms that they may possibly be correlated

with sex M. B. W.

DESCRIPTION OK A NEW STECIKS OF UNIO FROM THE CRETA-

CEOUS ROCKS OF TIIF, NANAIMO COAL FIELD. By J. F. Whiteaves

(Ottawa Naturalist, XIV., Jan., 1901). Unio nanaimoensis n. sp.

Unin hnbbardi Gabb is stated to be from the Cowgitz coal mine, on

Graham Island, one of the Queen Charlotte Is., and probably did

not come from Vancouver Island, as originally reported.

NOTES ON SOME LAND AND FRESHWATER. MOLLUSCA FROM

FORT CHIMO, UNC.AVA BAY. By J. F. AVhiteaves (Ottawa Nat.,

X I V., March, 1901). The specimens were collected by Mr. W.

Spreadborough in 1896, and comprise Litimata palustrus var. valilii

Planorbis arcticns ('* which may be only a synonym of P. parrus,")

I'n/rnfa sine era and Pisidium steenbnc.kii. Notices of previous rec-

ords of non-marine mollusks of Labrador are given.

ADDITIONS TO THE MARINE MOLLUSCA OF THE BERMUDAS.

By A. E. Verrill and Katherine J. Bush. THE Ni DIBRANCHS

AND NAKED TECTIIJRANCHS OF THE BERMUDAS. By A. F.

Verrill. (Trans. Conn. Acad. of Sci., X., 1900). The additions to

the fauna recorded in these articles are mostly from the collection

made at the Bermudas in April and May, 1898, by the Yale scien-

tific party under Professor Verrill. In the first paper about 80

species are recorded for the first time from the Bermudas, 25 of

THE NAUTILUS. 11

them being described as new, among them a new Siphonaria, 6

Eulimcti several Odostomia and Ccecvm. In dealing with the Ter-

bonittidce, the groups Mnmlola and ]\ formula (Adams, 1804) are sub-

ordinated to Pyrgostelis (Monterosato, 1884), though Adams' names

have priority. The dentition of Syiictptocochlea picta is figured, and

its operculum said to have few whorls.

In the second ] aper, Prof. "VYrrill records Aplysia dactylontela,

A. Willcoxi (?) and A. meyctptertt n. sp. The latter is a fine species

a foot long. Pleurobranchopsis is a new genus for P. aurantiaca n.

sp., a form with no shell, mantle-edge free throughout, gill sessile ;

the radula and jaws are not described. C species of DorididtE are

described.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE WAGNER FREE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE,

III, Contributions to the Tertiary Fauna of Florida. — "\Ve have more

than once in these pages alluded to the importance of this publication

to the general student of recent mollusks, no less than to the paleon-

tologist. The production of such a work is evidence of an enlight-

ened appreciation of the value of these investigations, on the part of

the Trustees of the Wagner Institute, no less than a high ideal of

scientific work on the part of the author, Professor Wm. H. Dall.

The esteem in which the Transactions are held by foreign students

is shown by a recent letter from the Australian conchologist, Charles

Hedley, an extract from which we venture to print:

" I am most gratified at receiving the volume on the Tertiary Mol-

lusca of Florida, but in thanking you for the copy I must also thank

you for the labor you have placed at the disposal of every student.

I cannot sufficiently express what a boon to me is the generic revision

of the various groups. After struggling with the scanty and perplex-

ing literature of bivalve hinge structure, I can greet your work as a

ship-wrecked mariner might greet the shore. For instance, I have

had a quiet little fight with Mysella and have drawn the hinges ready

for publication. But I had laid aside the notes and sketches till I

could better comprehend the matter. My unsuccessful struggles at

least enabled me to appreciate the cost of labor and talent in produc-

ing the synonymy of Rocliefortiii. Those who have daily intercourse

with fellow workers, who can consult great museums and splendid

libraries, will thank you in their turn. But as a scientific exile,

without these advantages, allow me to tell you how your Mollusca

12 THE NAUTILUS.

of Florida smooths my path, so that I may do with accuracy and

speed what I formerly did slowly and painfully."

Apology is due to Mr. Hedley for this unauthori/ed use of a pri-

vate letter, and also to Professor Dall. — EDS.

CORRESPONDENCE.

EDITORS NAUTILUS : In the remarks of our friend Hemphill, on

pp. 139-140 of the April number, some of us are called to order for

a phraseology which is not altogether agreeable to him and other

workers on the Pacific coast, and may properly be modified in the

interest of their feelings. I refer to expressions which refer to the

habitual nomenclature of some shell under discussion, in the cabinets

of collectors on the Pacific shores, as in error. I suppose I have

been one of those whom he criticises; for being familiar with most

of the West coast collections, lists and nomenclature, it has often

seemed useful to refer to the name in common use on the other side

of the continent, when in the course of monographic revision it has

been found to be untenable.

But I should like to assure Mr. Hemphill and all others who have

been displeased by such expressions that nothing was farther from my

mind than to reflect on the care or desire for accuracy of West Coast

workers. I have been of and among them so many years that I feel

entitled to claim a place in their ranks, and a large part of the work

I have done has been intended to assist them to the extent of my

ability. No one is infallible, at least outside of the Vatican. No

one can correct the errors of a nomenclature at one fell swoop, so to

speak. I have named many thousands of shells for West Coast cor-

respondents, and I have named many of them wrong. That is, I have

given names which were at the time in current use, but which subse-

quent researches have shown to be untenable. If Methuselah was a

conchologist, he probably did better toward the end of his career,

and the heirs of his original correspondents profited thereby. But

alas ! these are degenerate days, and in forty years or so one does not

ferret out all anterior mistakes. Therefore if one's gratuitous service

does not prove infallible, and one's expressions not invariably happy,

let our West coast friends hold fast to the theory of friendly intent,

and believe we at the East mean to do our best by them every time.

— WM. H. BALL.

THE NAUTILUS.

Voi,. XV. JUNE, 1901. No. 2.

COLLECTING IN HAITI.

J. B. HENDERSON, JR.

On the 30th of November hist, Mr. C. T. Simpson, of the Smith-

sonian Institution, Mr. Robert T. Hill, of the Geological Survey and

myself, sailed from New York for Haiti with the intention of mak-

ing; as thorough conchological exploration of that island as a time

limit of two months would permit. Although Haiti has been visited

by Bland, Salle, Rolle, Weinland and others, it may yet be con-

sidered almost a terra incognita to the collector of land shells. Many

of its great mountain ranges and deep valleys have never been

reached by naturalists ; even its more aecessible regions have been

but superficially examined. Imagination gilds the unknown, and we

debarked at Cap Hatien eager to get into the field without a

moment's delay.

Cap Ilatien is situated upon the coastal margin of an extensive

plain ; but just back of the town rises an isolated group of high hills

which appear to have no connection with the northern main range

of mountains. These hills are composed of hard, flinty rock, re-

sembling the formation of the Blue Mountains of Eastern Jamaica.

In the absence of limestone they support a scant molluscan fauna,

and our first day's collecting proved a bitter disappointment. Not

more than fifteen species rewarded our most diligent labors, but

among these were some interesting finds — notably a Lucidella of de-

cided Jamaican affinities.

Leaving Cap Haitien we made our first interior journey horse-

back to Milot, at the foot of the main range, where amid fhe ruins

of the famous palace of Sans Souci and in the dungeons of the old

14 THE NAUTILUS.

fortress of La Ferriere we hoped to discover the habitat of that prince

of American Helices — Pleurodonte gigaiitea. At an elevation of

about 3000 feet, we came upon the first evidences of our game in the

numerous dead shells of that superb species. Scattered about the

bases of huge limestone fragments which were heavily draped and

festooned in richest tropic verdure were thousands of dead P.

yigantea, but not a trace of a living animal. We remained several

days at Milot, but captured only three living examples of gigantea

and took not more than a dozen fairly good cabinet specimens.

Although disappointed in this respect we were cheered by a splendid

bag of Cylindrellas, Helicinas, smaller Helices, Stenogyra (s. s.)

Opeas, Subulina and several Tudor a and Chondropoma.

One of the finest Helices of the West Indies is the large and ex-

ceedingly handsome P. undulata. This species is abundant about

the foot of the mountains near Milot. Swarms of half naked chil-

dren followed us about, often annoying us to the point of despera-

tion, but these bright little urchins proved to be clever collectors.

Finding that we rejected all dead shells of P. undulata, they brought

us worn and useless specimens into the apertures of which they had

carefully inserted large slugs. As this method failed them they re-

covered some living but immature specimens which we had thrown

away, and extracting the animals, they reset them in dead shells

and solemnly offered them to us again. The most notable catch on

the mountain of La Ferriere is a small operculate with free whorls

all in the same plane, probably a new genus.

Returning to Cape Haitien we took a steamer for Port au Prince,

where we remained a full week, collecting most industriously in the

neighborhood. The excessive dry ness of the season caused living

land shells to be scarce, but we succeeded in making a remarkably

good catch, notwithstanding adverse conditions. In this part of the

island the larger Helices disappear; P. undulata is replaced by the

smaller P. crispata and a larger proportion of operculates is apparent.

Macroceramus is encountered and Cylindrella is more abundant.

The prevailing type of operculate in this part of the island is

represented by the well-known Cliondropoma semilabre, barrel-

shaped, whitish in color and with a descending and slightly free last

whorl. This last characteristic runs through nearly all the Cyclo-

stomacea of the island. As a persistent feature it finds no counter-

part elsewhere in the West Indies.

THE NAUTILUS. 15

Perhaps the particular feature of our Haitian journeys was our

trip to Lake Assuei, one of the two great interior lakes of Haiti and

Santo Domingo. The fauna of tin* large body of water is wholly

unknown and there can he no doubt that its clear depths would

furnish many treasures to the zoologist provided with a good dredge.

But we had neither dredge nor boat. An examination of one-half

mile of shore line revealed a Hydrobia and a Physa, but no trace of

Naiades or Sphreria. Amid the grandest scenery, we collected over

the mountains north of the lake with fairly good success. One

Cliondropoma (evidently new) should receive some name signifying

" splendid."

In a grove of very large trees near the lake we experienced sev-

eral hours of the keenest delight in gathering Liyuus virginea and

Pteurodonte bizonolis. The former is no doubt the most beautiful

of all land shells; the latter is considered a rarity. I know of no

more thrilling experience than our sudden discovery of a hundred of

these exquisite Liguus.

At St. Mark, Jeremie and Jacmel we toiled like madmen to ex-

haust those regions of their special faun*; our catch from the last

two stations being principally in Cylindrella, Helicina, Glundina,

Eutrochatella and the smaller helices of the Cepolis group. The

collection about Jeremie is exceedingly rich, but the unfriendliness

of the natives is more pronounced at that city than elsewhere in the

island.

One can scarcely picture a more promising-looking region for snail

life than the environs of Jacmel. There are mountains and deep

valleys, shaded and cool, sparkling streams, moisture and limestone,

everywhere. We were amazed, however, to find the region almost

barren of mollusks, a fact that seems wholly unaccountable.

Fortunately time seems to magnify in the mind the pleasant

features of rough travel, while disagreeable episodes gradually fade

from the memory. The oppressive climate, the wretched food and

accommodations, the unsanitary condition of the cities, the vermin

and larger insect pests, the stupid ignorance and arrogance of the

official classes, the difficulties of interior travel, render Haiti all but

impossible. We left Jacmel for Kingston, Jamaica, rejoicing in our

flight from that land of dark superstition and filth.

Our material has not yet been overhauled, but I may, with due

caution, state that Haiti is not so rich conchologically as Jamaica or

16 THE NAUTILUS.

parts of Cuba, though richer probably than is Porto Rico. The

distribution of its shells is far more general than as recorded in

Crosse's list, and the affinities between the faunas of North Haiti

and Cuba and South Haiti and Jamaica are not so decidedly marked

as heretofore supposed.

The presence of a large number of the Thaumasia group of Uro-

coptidse in the Southern peninsula is significant, yet we encountered

Lucidella, Stoastoma and a probable Sagda in the north.

ALASMIDONTA MAEGINATA SAY.

In the April number of the Nautilus Professor Charles Le Roy

Wheeler calls attention to the above species and is in doubt whether

this name should be applied to the somewhat solid, inflated, rhom-

boid western shell, or the less inflated, thinner, triangnlur form

from the Atlantic drainage. I am glad Professor Wheeler has

called attention to this, because at the time I made up the account

of Say's species for the Synopsis I overlooked the fact that it had

just been published in the Journal of the Academy of Natural

Sciences. In Dr. Dall's copy of the paper on Conchology by Say

in the third edition of Nicholson's Encyclopedia, Say says : "Found

in the river — " leaving it to be understood that he was not certain

where it was found. Immediately after the dash there is written in

ink "• Delaware."

The description is not very clear, but I was inclined to believe

that it applied better to the eastern than the western form. Say

says that his shell is transversely oblong-suboval, and this outline

applies best to the eastern shell, which is often irregularly obovate,

while the western form is almost invariably rhomboid. He states

that it is bluish-~,vhite within, with a white margin. The eastern

form is sometimes colored within in this way ; in the western speci-

mens the border is generally darker than the rest of the interior.

The length given, 2^ inches, agrees better, I think, with the eastern

shell than with the western one, which runs from 3 to 4^ inches,

though of course Say might have had a young specimen of the heavy

rhomboid form before him.

He says that it was communicated to him by Mr. Lea, who found

it in the Scioto River. I am doubtful whether Dr. Lea ever col-

THE NAUTILUS. 17

lected in that river. Most of his shells from Ohio were collected by

Mr. T. G. Lea or other resident collectors in the State.

It is probable that Say's type is lost. I could not find it when I

went over the Academy's collection and made notes on his species,

and since the publication of Professor Wheeler's note Mr. Vanatta

has kindly made a search for it, and fails to find it.

I confess that I am in doubt as to what Mr. Say had before him

when he described his Alasmidonta marginata, though I am inclined

to think it was the eastern form. In case it should be shown that

Say's name applies to the western shell, the name Alasmidonta

varicosa Lamarck, could probably be used for the Atlantic drainage

species.

NEW VARIETIES OF FRESH WATER SHELLS.

BY FRANK C. BAKER.

Limnaea reflexa jolietensis, n. var.

Limncea reflexa attenuata, Baker (non Say), Trans. St. Louis

Acad. Sci., Vol. IX, p. 20, pi. 1, fig. 4, 1901.

Shell with an attenuated spire, the whorls, seven in number, being

very convex and the sutures very deeply impressed ; aperture about

a third the length of the entire shell, ovate, thickened on the inside

by a heavy callus ; peristome thin ; columella covered by a heavy

callus and with a prominent plait ; color light horn, frequently

blackened by the carbon dioxide in the water, aperture of same color,

the internal callus edged with dark brown or red.

Length 24.00; width 8.00; aperture length 9.50; width 5.25 mill.

Length 23.00; width 7.76; aperture length 9.00; width 5.00 mill.

Length 22.00; width 7.00; aperture length 8.75; width 4.75 mill.

Length 29.00 mill. (Bryant Walker collection).

Distribution : Joliet, Illinois (J. H. Ferris?) ; Saginaw River,

Michigan (Bryant Walker).

Remarks : In the publication mentioned above the writer was led

into the error of identifying the Joliet specimens as attenuata Say.

Mr. Bryant Walker, to whom specimens were sent, has called the

writer's attention to the true characters of attenuata and to the fact

that the Joliet specimens are a distinct and undescribed variety of

reflexa The peculiar loosely coiled whorls, attenuated spire and

labiate lip will easily distinguish this variety.

18 THE NAUTILUS.

In Bull. No. 3, Vol. II, of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the

writer published an account of the anatomy of Litnn<sa emarginata

var. Miglielsi in which several errors appeared. The first was the

position of the kidney and ureter as figured on plate VI. K. U. An

examination of a larger and more perfect specimen shows the shape

and position to be different, the ureter really proceeding from the

anterior end and extending in a straight line to the edge of the

mantle. It is needless to add that the renal organs, as figured on

this plate, do not exist in the fresh water pulmonates.

On plate III of the same paper is given a figure of the genitalia

in which a flagellum is described (E. F.). This is the vas deferens

and the duct thought to be the vas deferens is the penis retractor

muscle.

NEW LAND SHELLS FROM THE LOO CHOO ISLANDS AND JAPAN.

BY HENRY A. PILSBRY.

Mr. Hirase, continuing his researches, has recently taken steps to

procure shells of the Loo Choo Islands; some of the first-fruits being

noticed below. He writes: " I have sent two able collectors, in the

hope that I may procure for study the land shells of Kiushiu -and

Loo Choo. They were sent at first, on February 23d last, to

Yaeyama, in the Loo Choos, for a stay of two months ; but because of

malaria they were obliged to leave, and thus spent only twenty days

there. They are now working in the neighboring island of Nawa,

in the Loo Choo group."

Among the species sent from Yaeyama are Clausilia hyperoptyx

Pils., O. Stearnsii Pils., Bifidaria armigeretta Reinh., and Georissa

japonica Pils. The last two species were originally described from

the main island of Japan, Hondo ; and their occurrence in the

middle Loo Choo group extends their distribution notably. The

specimens are, however, quite typical. The finding of a typical

species of the Chinese group Sulimiitopsis, B. meiacoshimensis A. &

R., which Mr. Hirase sends from Yaeyama Island, and a species of

Tornatellina, is extremely interesting. The latter genus has not

been reported nearer than Luzon, so far as I know. Of Buliminop-

sis two species have been described from the Loo Choo Is., B.

meiacoshimensis Adams and Reeve, described as a Bulimus, and

NAUTILUS. 19

hitherto referred to Stenoyyra, and B. iurritus Glide, described as

Ganesellct) thougli Mr. Gude suggests that it may be a Buliminopsis.

Although I formerly thought turrita a Ganesella, the sculpture of

fresh specimens is so similar to Buliminopsis that I have now little

doubt that Glide's surmise was correct. It resembles the Chinese

B. bidiminoides Hde. in shape, but the latter, from a specimen re-

ceived from Pere Heude, is narrower and less acutely keeled. Dr.

Fritz Wiegmann has recently shown that Buliminopsis has essen-

tially the organization of the genus Eidota, and therein is perhaps

nearest to Cathaica. His investigations show that there are no im-

portant anatomical differences between the numerous subgenera

which I have subordinated to Eidota. The characters intergrade by

easy stages. Even Buliminopsis is anatomically an Eidota.

At Shunashiri, Loo Clioo group, a form of En lot a ( P/ectotropis^)

scepasma Pfr. occurred, having 6^ whorls and a more depressed con-

tour, being thus more acutely earinate. It measures, alt. 10^, diam.

21 mm., and is densely covered, like the typical form, with short,

triangular, cuticular scales. Plectotropis pachysoma Ehrmann, is

evidently a synonym of typical E. scepasma.

Trishoplita collinsoni var. casta nov. Shell rather openly umbili-

cate, depressed, with conic spire; white witli a brown line at the

periphery, showing above the suture on the spire. Surface shining,

minutely striate, rather faintly decussate beneath, microscopically

papillose. Whorls 6, slowly widening, the last very obsoletely an-

gular at the periphery, becoming rounded towards the aperture, con-

vex beneath. Aperture oblique, shortly oval, slightly lunate, the

penultimate whorl excising a segment of about one-fourth the cir-

cumference of the peristome; lip white, narrowly expanded above,

the outer arid basal margins reflexed.

Alt. 8.G, diam. 12.5; length of aperture 5.5, width 6.3 mm.

Alt. 10, diam. 12; length of aperture 6, width 7 mm.

Obi, Prov. Hyuga, in eastern Kiushiu (Mr. Y. Hirase).

This species is somewhat more conical than T. tosana Gude,1 with

an umbilicus of about the same width or a little smaller. It has

about the form but not the coloration of T. cretacea var. bipartita,

and is apparently allied to T. collinsoni (A. Ad.) and T. lischkeana

(Kob.), both of which have similar coloration. T. collinsoni was de-

scribed from " Tago," which I take to be Tako, a place at the west-

1 The name tosana Gude has three days priority over suprazonata Pilsbiy.

20 THE NAUTILUS.

ern end of Shikoku Island. It has not been figured, but is said to

be " globoso-conica," ll late perforata," with a \vi<le peripheral band

and lunate aperture. None of these terms would I apply to the

shells before me, though it is by no means impossible that my species

is a variety of that of Adams. T. lischkeana is from Hagi, on the

north coast of western Hondo. It is a smaller shell than T. casta,

with narrower umbilicus. When these forms of Tfishoplita are bet-

ter known, I believe they will be seen 'to fall under a few specific

heads, like the peliotaphala group of Euhadra.' It is likely that col-

linsoni, casta, lischkeana^ bipartita and cretacea are varying races of

one species, and will be found to intergrade on the confines of their

several areas. T. collinsoni is the senior name for the group, which

has about tlie distribution of Eulota callizona var. maritima G. & P.

—Shikoku, eastern Kiushiu and western Hondo.

Trishoplita hiugensis n. sp. Shell depressed, rather narrowly

umbilicate, brownish yellow, the suture bordered below with a nar-

row white band ; very glossy, finely striatulate. Spire low-conic,

the apex obtuse. Whorls 4|, convex, the last slightly derlexed in

front, indistinctly angular al the periphery in front, becoming

rounded on the latter portion. Convex beneath. Aperture shaped

like that of T. tosana, the lip expanded, refiexed below. Alt. 6.4,

diam. 9.4-9.8 mm.

Obi, Prov. Hyuga, Kiushiu (Mr. Y. Hirase).

A smaller, less conoidal form than T. fosona or T. rfacost(E, with

fewer whorls. It is No. 601 of Mr. Hirase's collection.

Kaliella Austeniana n. sp.

Shell distinctly perforate, turbinate-conic, thin, light reddish

brown. Surface very minutely sculptured with densely crowded

rib-striae, which give it a silken luster, and give place on the more

glossy base to slight growth-wrinkles and fine spiral stria3. Whorls

nearly 6, very convex, the first one sculptured with much more

spaced rib-stria:- ; last whorl obtusely subangular at the periphery,

quite convex beneath. Aperture oblique, rather broadly crescent

shaped ; peristome simple and thin, the columellar margin dilated

above. Alt. 2.7, diam. 6.2 mm.

Yaeyama Island (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 627).

In this species the minute stria- continue below the periphery, and

form a silken band around the base, the central two-thirds of which

is more glabrous. This has been noticed in J'ucomdus, Guppya,

THE NAUTILUS. 21

etc., also. Tlie spaced costulation of the initial whorl is a character-

istic though not invariable feature of Kaliella.

It is named in honor of Lieut. -Col. H. H. Godwin-Austen, whose

work on the Indian Zonitldse is destined to become a malacological

classic.

KalieHa yaeyamensis n. sp.

Sliell narrowly perforate, rather low conic, thin, reddish brown.

Surface slightly shining above, glossy beneath, sculptured with rib-

striae comparatively coarse for a Kaliella (but still very tine), contin-

uing on the first whorl, obsolete on the base, and excessively minute

spiral striae. Whorls 4|, moderately convex, the last angular (but

not acutely so) at the periphery, not very convex beneath. Aper-

ture oblique, broadly crescentic, the lip thin and simple, dilated at

the columellar insertion. Alt. 2, diarn. 3 mm.

Yaeyama Island (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 625).

With K. nn/iaensfs Gude, this makes three species of KalieHa now'

known from the Loo Clioo Islands. K. nahaensis has fine, almost

subobsolete sfrire, and a peripheral keel, thus differing decidedly from

the two species described above.

Kaliella ruida n. sp.

Shell perforate, in shape resembling Microcystina ceratodes (Gude).

Acutely keeled, thin, brown, somewhat translucent, sculptured above

and in a hand around the base, below the periphery, with sharp,

close and regular rib-stria? ; the rest of the base ^lossv, with very

o •/ ' J

minute spirals only. Whorls 3^, moderately convex above, the last

quite convex beneath. Aperture wide-crescentic, peristome thin,

fragile. Alt. 2, diam. 3.5 mm.

Gojo, Prov. Yamato, Japan (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. GOT).

I am disposed to believe this shell, of which but two specimens

were sent, is not full grown, and will be found to attain a larger size;

but the sculpture is so conspicuous and so unlike anv known species

of similar shape, that its recognition will be easy.

Georissa luchuana n. sp.

Shell small, globose-turbinate, dull red, composed of nearly 3^-

very convex whorls, the first glossy and smooth, with rather large

apex, the rest rapidly increasing, closely and regularly striated or

lirulate spirally. Last whorl large and obese. Aperture oblique,

22 THE NAUTILUS.

half-circular; outer lip simple; columella heavily calloused, wide

and somewhat flattened. Length 2.1, diam. 1.85 m.

Yaeyama Island, Loo Choo group (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 623).

A species relatively much shorter and wider than the related

G. japonic a Pils., which occurs also on Yaeyama.

Dr. v. Mollendorff has recently redescribed G. japonica as a new

species, not knowing of my earlier description. He used the same

specific name (Nachrbl. 1901, p. 45).

Diplommatina insularum n. sp.

Shell minute, imperforate, amber-colored or corneous, cylindric-

oblong, the penult whorl widest, those above forming a gradually

tapering spire, sculptured with delicate, rather close rib-striae.

Whorls 6f, convex, the last narrower than the preceding, ascending

to the aperture, somewhat constricted in front. Aperture circular,

the peristome continuous, outer lip doubled ; columella acutely

toothed; palatal fold short. Length 2.8, diam. 1.4, alt. of aperture

with peristome 1 mm.

Yaeyama, Loo Choo Islands (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 620).

This is a decidedly more tapering species than 1). cassa. D.

nipj)onensis is less slender and smoother, and D. kolelti is larger and

more pyramidal. All of these, are dextral forms. Paxilhis Jyrutus

GUI. may be closely allied, possibly identical ; but the description is

not sufficient for critical comparison.

Cyclotits Hirasei n. sp.

Shell broadly and openly umbilicate, subdiscoidal, yellowish-green

in color, the first two whorls subtranslucent and deep amber colored;

rather glossy, very irregularly and roughly wrinkled or even subpli-

cate, in the direction of growth-lines. Whorls 3|, the first 1^

strongly projecting, teat-like, following whorls tubular, the last

whorl slowly descending, barely in contact with, or slightly free

from the preceding whorl, at the aperture. Aperture circular,

slightly oblique. Peristome circular, unexpanded and acute, con-

tinuous. Operculum multispiral, with sunken central nucleus, the

edges of the whorls projecting a little. Alt. 4.5, diam. 8.5, diam. of

aperture 3.3 mm.

Loo Choo Is. (Mr. Y. Hirase, no 612).

Related to G. swinhoei and G. mimdus H. Ad., of Formosa, but

differing in sculpture, the present species being wrinkled but without

spiral striation.

THE NAUTILUS. 23

Diplommatina cassa n. sp.

Shell dextral, imperforate, oblong, rather thin, reddish amber

colored or whitish-corneous, composed of 6-j very convex whorls,

the last one narrower, strongly ascending. Surface densely and

regularly costulate-striate. Aperture subcircular, the peristome

continuous, thin, rather broadly and flatly reflexed, its face concave;

there is a sharp, high and narrow crest close behind the outer and

basal margins. Subcolumellar tooth stron-g; palatal fold short, situ-

ated to the left of the adjacent margin of the peristome. Length

3.1, diarn. of penult, whorl 1.7, length of aperture 1.2 mm.

Kodakari, prov. Hida (no. G04), and Kyoto (no. 452), Y. Hirase.

This species is related to D. nipponensis Mlldff., D. insularum

Pils., and D. Kobelti Ehrm. Tlie conical part of the spire is much

shorter than in the former of these, judging from specimens from the

Hakone Mts., collected by Mr. B. Schmacker.

D. Kobehi is a species slightly longer than D. cassa, finely

costulate-striate, composed of 7^ whorls, of which only the last two

are of equal diameter, those above tapering regularly, forming a very

IOIKJ conic spire. The aperture is about as described for D. cassa.

Length 3.4, diam. 1.6, aperture I.Hi mm. It is thus slightly longer

than either nipponensis or cassa, with one whorl more, and a longer

more pyramidal spire. It is from Kashima, prov. Harima, where it

occurs with D. cassa (no. 305 b of Mr. Hirase's collection).

These species are all distinctly smaller than D. collarifera S. & B.

and D. tenuip/ica Pils., and larger than D. uzenensis Pils.

D. mnuitissima Mlldff. 1901, is a synomyrn of D. pnsiUa var.

omiensis Pils., published eight or nine months previously. Both

were based on Mr. Hirase's no. 487.

Tornatellina inexpectata n. sp.

Shell umbilicate, pyramidal, thin, brown, glossy, smooth except

for slight growth-lines. Spire straightly conic, the apex obtuse.

Whorls 5|, slightly convex, the last rounded at the periphery, con-

vex below. Aperture subovate, armed within with a low entering

lamella on the middle of the parietal wall. Peristome thin, the

margins remote, columellar margin broadly dilated and reflexed.

Length 3, diam. 1.7 mm.

Yaeyama Island (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. G26).

Carychium cymatoplax n. sp.

Shell minute, corneous-whitish, slender, cylindric-fusiform, almost

24 THE NAUTILUS.

smooth. Whorls 5, moderately convex, the penult, and last of about

equal diameter. Aperture small, somewhat oblique ; peristome well

expanded, much thickened within, the outer lip broad, with a blunt

tooth above the middle, columella truncate at base ; parietal lamella

strong. Axial lamella becoming a very wide spiral plate within,

bent into strong waves. Length 1.84, diarn. .04 mm.

Yaeyama Island (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. G18).

This species is smaller and more cylindric than C. noduliferum, is

smooth, and the internal axial lamella is more strongly waved. (7.

noduliferum was described from IVIisaki, and has been sent by Mr.

Hirase from Nishigo, Prov. Uxen. It is a strongly tapering shell,

finely but sharply and regularly striate, and in most adults has a

palatal nodule within the outer lip, though this is variable in devel-

opment. It is larger than C. cymaioplax, length 2.2 mm.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

DIGESTA MALACOLOGICA, No. 1. A Summary of the American

Journal of Conchology. By E. R. Sykes.1 Under the above caption

Mr. Sykes proposes to issue a series of digests, prepared after the

mod 1 of those in the Zoological Record. " It has been a constant

source of difficulty for many years past to ascertain what work has

been done by our predecessors, relating either to a special genus or

to some faunal district. With the idea of rendering some assistance

to students, the present work has been undertaken." The number

before us deals with the American Journal of Conchology, and com-

mences with a table of dates of publication, followed by a list of titles

arranged by authors. The contents of the articles are then referred

to under the heads of Anatomy, Distribution, both geographical and

geological, etc. The systematic portion is arranged by families, every

species described being referred to by volume and page. It is, there-

fore, easy to ascertain what the series contains relating to the mol-

lusks of any given region, or of any special family or genus, whereas

otherwise this information could be obtained only at the expense of

much time and labor, or found only by accident. All who have occa-

sion to use the Journal should possess themselves of this aid to its

use. The Digest is well gotten up, and seems to contain but few

mistakes or misprints.

'London, William Wesley & Son, 28 Essex St., Strand, 1901. (Price, $1.50;

to subscribers to the series, §1.25.)

THE NAUTILUS.

VOL. XV. JULY, 19O1. No. 3.

THE AMERICA PHYSJE.

BY O. A. CKANDALL, SEDALIA, MO.

The members of this genus are the most beautiful shells of

all of our fresh-water snails, and, were they properly understood,

would be the most sought for by collectors. It. luis been the custom

of authors to attempt to establish species upon slight variations in

form until the multiplicity of varieties and synonyms has caused

such confusion that even our most experienced conchologists hesitate

to venture an opinion as to many of the described species, \\hile

amateurs, being unable to obtain satisfactory information upon which

to correctly label their "finds," have become so careless about col-

lecting them that they are rarely offered for exchange.

To remedy this evil, and as far as possible to simplify the deter-

mination of species, I have given my spare time for several years

past to the study of this genus, and now give to the public the result

of my observations.

In determining the species of this genus it is not only necessary to

observe the characteristic form of the shell, but something of its

life-history must also be known. Some species grow to maturity in

one season, while others require two or more seasons of growth to

mature.

In central Missouri, P. gyrina Say is the first to appear in the

spring and the last to disappear in the fall. I have seen them

crawling on the ice in March and depositing the ova as late as the

first of October. They begin depositing eggs early in May and con-

tinue throughout the season ; and as the young are continually

26 THE NAUTILUS.

hatching, all sizes may be found in the fall, none of which will be

full grown. The members of this species require more than one

year in which to mature, while other species deposit the ova early in

May and the young attain full size the same season. Having a

knowledge of which species mature — respectively in one, two and

three seasons of growth — greatly simplifies the determination of

species.

It is unnecessary to watch the growing snail, as I have done, to

learn this fact, for every shell carries unmistakable evidence of the

number of periods of growth it has required to attain its present size.

This evidence is the white and brown lines upon the last, and next

to the last whorl, called variceal lines, or bands. At the end of the

season, or when the pond dries up, or when from any other cause the

shell ceases to grow, the snail strengthens the shell by constructing

a triangular-shaped rib within the sub-margin of the lip. In forming

this rib the coloring matter which exudes from the mantle of the

animal is withheld until the structure is complete, thus leaving a

white or light-colored line on the outside of the shell immediately

over the rib. Sometimes the line will be shaded with brown or

some dark color on one side, rarely on both sides. As the ribs are

never removed, the lines always remain visible on the outside of the

shell, and mark the periods of growth.

For brevity in describing this feature I may be permitted to coin

the word annuan. It is derived from the Latin word annus, year, and

the suffix an, pertaining to, and signifies pertaining to one year, or

period of growth.

In examiuining shells, first determine whether the example is an

annuan, bi-annuan or tri-annuan ; then examine the general form

and appearance of the shell, the texture, sculpture, the form of the

sutures, showing how the whorls are joined together, and the aper-

ture. Color, height of spire, proportionate length of aperture and

size of the shell are so variable that they have but little weight in

determining species, except in a few cases.

The most reliable characteristics are, in the order here given,

texture, structure and sculpture ; in fact they are the only ones not

changed by environment.

Texture relates to the weight and to the fineness and coarseness of

the layers of which the shell is made. The viscid matter secreted by

the mantle is deposited on the edge of the shell as the snail grows,

THE NAUTILUS.

27

and hardens. In some species the exudation is continuous, or nearly

so, while in others it seems to be deposited at intervals. When the

deposit is frequent and small, or continuous, the lines of growth will

be fine and the surface smooth and shining, as in P. Jieterostropha

Say. When made at longer intervals, and large, the lines will be

coarse, as in P. gyrina Say.

Structure refers to the general plan of the shell, but more particu-

larly to the manner in which the whorls are joined together. In

some forms, like P. ancillaria Say, the whorls lap over each other

like shingles on a roof; in others, like P. forsheyii Lea, they rest

against each other. This distinction is constant in all species, and

to a great extent is carried through the varieties.

Sculpture is the markings on the surface of the shell, and consists

of the lines of growth, strife crossing the lines of growth, as in P.

oleacea Tryon, ribs, as in P. costata Newcomb, and such other mark-

ings as may be found constant in a species.

It must be remembered that while these characters are always

found in typical members of species having one or more of them,

they become modified in the varieties and forms, and the greater the

departure from the type the greater will be the modification.

Species are supposed to be founded upon permanent characteristics

which are not influenced by change of location or environment.

Varietal changes are many and frequent, and it is doubtful if a single

variety described forty years ago can now be found living and identi- •

fied, while species should be found in the habitat of the type with

but slight variations in its characterization.

No member of the animal kingdom is so susceptible to local influ-

ences as fresh water snails. Every change of environment changes

the Physa, and so long as environments continue to change new forms

will continue to occur; but they will not necessarily be new species

nor varieties, but new forms of the same species, having the same

characteristics upon which it was founded, with some of them more

or less modified.

Another cause for variations is the probably frequent occurrence

of cross breeding, producing hybrids. It is often that forms are pre-

sented to conchologists for identification having some of the charac-

teristics of two different species, neither of which is sufficiently strong

to control, and the life history not being known, they are described

as new species. The forms being hybrids, when the crop disappears

28 THE NAUTILUS.

the species disappears with it, and so we have a large list of desoril ed

species in our literature with but few living forms to represent tin m.

To simplify the study of the genus I discard all sub-genera and

divide the genus into species, varieties and forms.

Species are forms having some characteristics which remain con-

stant for ages.

Varieties are forms having the ruling characteristics of the species

to which they belong, with modifications that remain constant for

years.

Forms show temporary variations caused by environment or

hybridization, and are transient. New forms are appearing every

year. I would not attempt to refer all the living forms to their

respective progenitors, but leave the collector to attach the label to

suit his own taste.

Where a form can now be found that substantially bears the

description given forty or fifty years ago, it should be considered a

species, if originally founded on sufficient differences from other

described species to entitle it to rank as such ; but where no specimens

of a species has been found since it was described many years ago, it

is likely to have been only a local form, and to have become extinct.

Many of the early described species are found now bearing the

same distinctive characters as when first described. It is these typ-

ical forms that must be our guide, and not the varieties.

The result of my examination of all the described species occurring

east of the Rocky Mountains will be found in the following paper.

Physa heterostropha Say.

Synonyms : P. Philippi Kiister, P. plicata, De Kay.

This species was described by Thomas Say in 1817 from forms

taken in the Delaware River, and the same forms are found there

yet. The water having become polluted, they are covered with a

dark coating and many of them distorted. The type is not inflated

nor elongated, yet the larger part of the specimens of the species now

accepted by conchologists are more or less inflated. Some even go

so far as to include under this head all the varieties of P. ancillaria,

Say, P. lordi Baird, and P. sayii Tappan. While there are some

good reasons for bunching all the American Physffi into one species

with a vast number of varieties, I do not believe such a course would

be conducive to the best interests of science. Species should be

THE NAUTILUS. 29

founded on some distinct and constant characters, and reduced to

the minimum.

The shell descrihed by Say is symmetrical, of fine texture, smooth

and shining surface, lines of growth scarcely visible even with a

lens, whorls four, convex, sutures impressed, spire, elevated and

acute, and the inner wall of the aperture straight. It is an annuan,

rarely taking a second growth, and when it does the growth appears

to be an addition to a mature shell.

Distinguished by its symmetrical form, smooth and shining sur-

face, convex whorls, impressed sutures, elevated and acute spire

and straight or perpendicular axis, thus forming a straight inner

wall to the aperture.

Physa philippi Kiister, is an inflated variety bearing all the char-

acteristics of the type, except that it is inflated and the columella is

slightly curved. This is the first inflated variety described, and

should cover all inflated forms.

Physa plicata DeKay. This form is admitted a species by

Tryon, but Binney, Pilsbry, and others, place it amongst the

synonyms of this species, where it evidently belongs, unless it is

raised to a variety. It being the only elongated form of this species

ever described, it may well be considered a variety to which all

elongated forms should be referred.

Pliysa heterostropha alba, n. v. Shell ovate, symmetrical, not

inflated, porcelain white, whorls four, convex, sutures impressed,

spire elevated and acute, surface smooth and shining, columella

slightly curved. Diameter § the length. This beautiful little shell

was sent to me by Mr. Albert Baily, of Capachet, N. Y., he having

taken it from Cedar Lake near that place. It is distinguished by

its color.

I have recently seen in Mr. Bryant Walker's collection some

very fine forms of this species that seem to be of frequent occurrence

in Northern Michigan. They are slightly more elongated than the

type, and are marked with a dark-brown apex. This marking does

not appear in any of the eastern forms, so far as I know, but it is

not sufficient variation to found a variety upon.

Further forms are : Physa striata Menke, P. charpentieri Kiister,

P. fragilis Mighels, P. lata Tryon, P. primeana Tryon, and many

other slight variations which have not been named.

This species extends from the Potomac and Ohio rivers north and

30 THE NAUTILUS.

east over New England and Canada, and as far west as Indiana and

Michigan. "West of the Alleghanies it gradually gives way to P.

sayii Tappan. I have never seen a well authenticated example

west of the Mississippi or south of the Ohio.

( To be continued.}

THE SYNONYMY OF BYTHINELLA OBTUSA LEA.

BY BRYANT WALKER.

This well-known and characteristic little species, which has an

extended range through the Northern States from New York to

Iowa, if not further west, was first described by Lea, in 1841, as

Pahidina obtusa. Haldeman, in his "Monograph of the Fresh-water

Univalve Mollusca" (1844?), although apparently unacquainted

with the species, referred it to the genus Amnicola. Binney (1862),

in his preliminary study of the fresh-water operculates, also placed it

among the Amnicola. Stimpson (1865), in his "Researches upon

the Hydrobiinre," considered it " probably referable " to Bythinella.

In this he was followed by Binney (1865) and Tryon (1870), and

from that time the species has been uniformly known and cited as

Bythinella obtitsa.

Unfortunately, however, Lea had been anticipated in the use

of the name, Pahidina obtusa, by Troschel, who, in 1837, had de-

scribed a species of Vivipara from Bengal under that name. It

follows necessarily, therefore, that Lea's name will have to give way;

and had not the species already been described by another author

under a different name, a new one would have to be provided for it.

Were it not for the express statement that his species was imper-

forate, I should be inclined to refer this species to Green's Pahidina

alleghaniensis (see Binney, L. & F. W. Shells, III, p. 60), which

has several years' priority. The differences relied upon by Lea in

differentiating his " obtusa " would scarcely be sufficient in the ab-

sence of the other peculiarity. I know of no other species from

Pennsylvania that would fill the description except Amnicola decisa

Hald., which might well be called imperforate. On the other hand,

THE NAUTILUS. 31

the " elevated and rather obtuse " spire would apply better to

"obtusa." In view of this uncertainty, it would seem better to

accept a later description, in regard to which there can be no ques-

tion, rather than to attempt to rehabilitate a name which must

always be the object of suspicion. There should be a statute

of limitations in science as there is in law; and the use of a name?

which has become established by tradition and long usage, should

not be overturned, in the absence of the type specimens, excepting

upon the most convincing proof.

In 1852 Ku'ster, in his "• Monograph of Paludina," in the Con-

cliylien Cabinet, describes a small species from North America as

Paludina emarginata, which he attributed to Say, on the authority

of Brown. As Say never used the name " emarginata " in connec-

tion with any fresh-water operculate form, this species will have to

stand as Paludina emarginata Kiister.

Binney, in his "Land and Fresh-water Shells of North America"

(1865), refers Kiister's species to Amnicola cincinnatiensis Anth. as

a synonym. This was clearly erroneous, as a most casual inspection

of Kiister's description and figure quoted by Binney will show.

Tryon makes no mention whatever of Kiister's " emarginata''

in his continuation of Haldeman.

What Kiister's species really was has been a matter of speculation

with me for many years. Recently, however, in reading Frauen-

feld's paper (1863) on the Amnicolce, in the Imperial [Vienna] and

Cuming Collections, I found a statement that specimens clearly

agreeing with Kiister's figure were in the Cuming collection labeled

" obtusa Whit." Now there was a well-known collector named

Whittemore, who lived in Massachusetts in 1840-1860, and it

seemed quite probable that he had supplied the Cumingian specimens

under Lea's name, but without quoting his authority. Then, too,

there was a very evident accord between Kiister's figure and his de-

scription and those of Lea's species.

On applying to Mr. E. A. Smith, of the British Museum, for in-

formation in regard to the Cumingian specimens, I was favored with

the following statement :

" The shells marked Amnicola ' obtusa Whit' in the Cuming col-

lection certainly are not cincinnatiensis Anth., and I believe that

you are right in considering them the same as obtusa Lea. They

agree exactly with Binney 's figure, Part III., p. 70, but are corneous

32 THE NAUTILUS.

and not " dark green " as Lea describes it. May not the green tint

have been due to confervas ? Accompanying the specimens of ' obtusa

Whit.,' is a ticket ' emarginata Say,' in Frauenfeld's own hand-

writing. I do not see how they can be separated from the form de-

scribed and figured by Kiister as ' emarginata ' of Say, or in other

words, I consider them the same species."

This would certainly seem to be conclusive as to the identity of

Kiister's "emarginata" with Lea's " obtusa." And, as for the

reason above given, Lea's name cannot be used, it follows that the

species must hereafter be known as " emarginata Ku'ster." As to

the proper generic designation, the investigation of the radula by

Messrs. Pilsbry and Beecher shows the species to belong to the

genus Cincinnatia, the dentition being like that of " Amnicola "

Cincinnati ensis Anth., and unlike all other known species of " Bythi-

nelfa" or Amnicola.

The complete synonymy of our species will then stand as fol-

lows :

ClNCINNATIA EMARGINATA (KUST.).

1841. Pahidina obtusa Lea, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. II., p. 34, won

Troschel (1837), Wiegm., Archiv, I., p. 173.

1844. Pahidina oblusa Lea, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. IX., p. 13.

1848. Pahidina obtusa Lea, Obs. Gen. Unio, IV., p. 13.

1844. Ainnicola obtusa Lea, Hald. Mon. F. W. Univ. Moll., p. 24.

1862. Ainnicola obtusa Binney Desc. Cat. Amnicola, &c., p. 10.

1865. Byihinella obtusa Stimp., Hydrobiina?, p. 20.

1865. Bythinella obtusa Binney, L. & F. W. Shells, N. A. III.,

p. 69, fig. 138.

1870. Bylhinella oblusa Tryon, Mon. F. W. Univ. Moll., p. 48, pi.

16, fig. 6.

1852. Pahidina emarginata Kiist., Paludina, Conch. Cab., p. 50,

pi. 10, fig?. 3 & 4.

1863. Amnicola emarginata, Frfld., Verh. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wien.

XIII., p. 1030.

1865. Amnicola cincinnatiensis Binney L. & F. W. Shells, N. A.,

p. 85, fig. 169.

THE NAUTILUS. 33

A NEW JAMAICAN LAND SHELL.

BY GEORGE II. CLAPP.

Pleurodonte Adamsiana, n. sp. Plate II, Kigs. 1, 2.*

Shell imperforate, carinated, depressed, convex above, regularly

and very convex below, solid, dark purplish-brown with a white up-

turned carina ; the whole surface, with the exception of the apex,

densely, finely granulate ; apex subplanulate, almost smooth, shining,

yellowish-white; sutures impressed ; whorls 5, convex, slowly widen-

ing and wavy ; body-whorl acutely carinated at the periphery, con-

cave above, convex below the carina, impressed in the umbilical

region, very slightly descending anteriorly, with a slight furrow or

groove, about 4 mm. long, just back of the aperture above the

carina ; carina white, translucent. Aperture oblique, subtriangular,

shining brown, inside showing the light peripheral band ; peristome

white shaded with brown, bearing inside the lower margin four

teeth ; a very small one near the insertion, then a larger on the basal

margin, then two near together on a common eminence towrard the

outer angle of the aperture ; the last two teeth are united for over

half their height, the outer one turning sharply toward the peristome.

The base is deeply tri-scrobiculate behind the peristome, the outer

two grooves being in a common pit. Margins of peristome joined by

a thin transparent callus which sweeps around the umbilical region.

Greater diameter 32, lesser 28, altitude 14 mm.

"Whitney Estate," Upper Clarendon, Jamaica. A single dead

but perfectly fresh and unweathered specimen.

This species seems to unite two widely different groups, as it has

the aperture and teeth of P. peraciitissima and the granulated surface

and supraperipheral furrow of P. sinuata. In general appearance it

is, however, unlike either.

I take pleasure in naming this shell, one of the most beautiful of

the Jamaican Pleurodontes, after the late Prof. C. B. Adams who

did so much in working out the wonderfully complex molluscan

fauna of Jamaica.

* Plate II will accompany the next issue.

34 THE NAUTILUS.

A NEW COLOMBIAN PLEURODONTE.

BY H. A. PILSBRY.

Pleurodonte (Labyrinlhus) Clappi, n. sp. PI. II. figs. 3, 4.

Shell imperforate, thick lens-shaped, carinated at the periphery,

strong and solid, chocolate-brown, with a purplish cast; surface

slightly striated obliquely, and showing a minute and dense but super-

ficial spiral wrinkling or malleation over part of the base. Spire

dome-shaped rather than conic ; whorls 4| to 5, but slightly convex,

slowly widening, the first 2| whorls punctate, the last angular at the

periphery, the angle almost obsolete on the more swollen latter part

of the whorl, which is very deeply deflexed in front, and strongly

constricted behind the lip, the constriction showing two pits behind

the basal lip and a linear scar at the periphery. Aperture extremely

oblique, ear shaped, the peristome continuous, the lip broadly re-

flexed ; parietal wall bearing a strong and long oblique lamina ;

outer lip with a compressed, fold-like tooth rising from a swollen

base ; basal lip three-toothed, the outer tooth high, oblique and com-

pressed, the median stout and squarish, the inner smaller and bilobed ;

a small compressed fold stands on the axial reflection, exactly over

the umbilicus.

Alt. 21, greater diam. 35, lesser 30 mm.

Alt. 19, greater diam. 32|, lesser 28 mm.

Sierra de Santa Marta, Colombia, at "Alto de Cielo," at about

5,000 feet elevation, in forest among rotting leaves on the ground.

The first specimen taken was a dead shell, eroded and showing a

dull red inner layer on the spire, eaten into many small pits on the

body-whorl. A second perfect specimen, slightly larger, has been

found this year. It is most nearly allied to Helix sieversi v. Martens

(Conch. Mittheil. iii, p. 7, 1889; Man. Conch, viii, p. 2G3, ix, pi.

22, f. 7, 8), also from the Santa Marta mountains, resembling it in

the arrangement of the teeth, but P. Clappi differs from that species

in being much larger, with the periphery keeled, the spire lower and

dome-shaped, the teeth more strongly developed, and the umbilicus

wholly closed. Pleurodonte sieversi measures 12^ by 19^ mm., has 5

whorls, a wide-conoidal spire, rounded periphery and minute umbil-

ical chink, and there are some differences in the teeth, the inner

THE NAUTILUS. 35

basal one not being described as bifid, and being about equal to the

next tooth in size, and no axial tooth is developed.

P. Clap pi is a very interesting addition to the sub-genus Labyrin-

thus. It will be interesting to know what snail-eating mollusk or

arthropod inhabits the northern part of South America, where this

type of shell is developed, that is absent in southern Colombia and

Ecuador, where the almost toothless group Isomeria occurs.

This species is one of the most interesting of Mr. Herbert H.

Smith's finds in the Sierra de Santa Marta. It is named in honor

of my friend Geo. H. Clapp.

GENERAL NOTES.

TRUNCATELLA TRUNCATULA (Drap.) IN THE UNITED STATES —

In preparing the Catalogue of North American Land Shells, this

species was inadvertently overlooked. It has been recorded by

Prof. Verrill, in the Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Ill, 376, and Trans.

Conn. Acad. Arts & Sci., V, 525, fig. 8, as follows: "Living in

considerable numbers, and of all ages, among the docks at Newport,

R. I., July, 1880. It occurred among decaying sea-weed thrown up

at high-water mark, both among the vegetable matter and on the

under side of stones." " Common on the coast of Europe, and in

similar localities. Perhaps introduced on this coast by shipping,

but it may have been hitherto overlooked. It was associated with

Assiminea grayana and Alexia myosotis." — C. W. J.

AN EVOLVING ASHMUNELLA — Ashmunella thomsoniana cooperce,

n. var — Shell with max. diam. from 13 to 15 millim., but usually

of the smaller size ; basal tooth single, occasionally slightly double ;

umbilicus narrower than in type or var. porterte, exposing less of the

penultimate whorl ; genitalia as in porterce, with the same long (22

mm.) spermatheca, and double insertion of the penis retractor.

Hob — Las Vegas Hot Springs, 1900, 1901. Discovered by Miss

Mary Cooper; later taken in quantity by Miss Cooper and Miss

Maud Ellis. The locality is in the Transition Zone, at about 7,000

ft. altitude ; portera belongs to the Canadian Zone, about 1,000 ft.

higher. This is not a very distinct form, conchologically ; but is

worth calling attention to as a species of Ashmunella in the making,

probably derived from the porterce form rather than from the true

thomsoniana. — T. D. A. COCKEKELL.

36 THE NAUTILUS.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY : EOCENE. By Wm. B.

Clark and Geo. C. Martin. It lias afforded us a great deal of pleas-

ure and instruction to peruse the carefully prepared and beauti-

fully printed volumes of the Maryland Geological Survey. The

State may justly feel proud that it is able to present to the world

such admirable reports on its physical and geological features. The

present volume on the Eocene fauna is especially interesting to con-

chologists, as by far the largest number of forms described are

molluscan. The volume contains 331 pages and 64 plates, and

includes a map and sections. Two formations are recognized, the

Nanjemoy and Aquia, the former corresponding in many respects to

the Lower Claibornian, and the latter to the Chickasawan of the

Gulf States. There are described and well figured 135 species of

mollusca ; among which is a large new Nautiloid (Hercoylossa

tuomeyi\ while 19 Gastropoda, and 10 Pelecypoda are also described

as new. Among the 135 species are 15 of which the genus only is

given, the specimens being loo imperfect lor specific descriptions.

We highly commend this step, for the description of indeterminable

species is only a hindrance to the progress of paleontology. C. W. J.

CORRESPONDENCE.

EDITORS NAUTILUS: I have read with deep interest Mr. J. B.

Henderson's article in the June NAUTILUS on the trip made by him-

self and companions, Messrs. C. T. Simpson and Robert T. Hill, to

Haiti on a hunt for land shells, and was sorry to learn of their com-

parative failure to secure a greater number of specimens of that

splendid species, Pleurodonte yiyantea. I then recalled that when

my friend, Mr. H. Rolle, of Berlin, returned from his Haitian trip,

where he had spent three months or more collecting specimens, he

called on me at my home (then) at Brooklyn, N. Y., and told me of

his efforts to find this snail, and how very difficult it was to secure

them, because it was a night shell, rarely ever being seen in day-

light. He succeeded by doing his searching at night, with the aid

of a lantern. He referred to the same spot — palace and fortress —

mentioned by Mr. H., where they found the dead shells so numerous.

If they had worked the grounds by lamp light I fancy they would

have been rewarded with a larger catch. My collection contains but

one of this species ; it is a very large and excellent specimen, except

for a somewhat marred epidermis. Mr. H. makes no mention of find-

ing any Cerions. Did they not look or care for them? I think

Ceriun a very interesting and beautiful snail. They must be quite

abundant, for the Rev. Mr. Smith, resident missionary at Cape Haitian,

sent me a very large number of most perfect and beautiful specimens.

I compliment the gentlemen on the final success of their efforts.

June 6th, 1001. A. B. KEN DIG, Brookline, Mass.

THE NAUTILUS, XV.

PLATE II.

THE NAUTILUS.

VOL. XV. AUGUST, 19O1. No. 4.

PLATE II.

Figs. 1, 2. Pleurodonte Adamsiana Clapp. This Journal for July,

p. 33.

Figs. 3, 4. Pleurodonte Clappi Pilsbry. This Journal for July,

p. 34.

Fig. 5. PhySa Walkeri Crandall. Petosky, Midi.

Figs. 6, 7. Physa rhomboidea Crandall. Muddy Creek, Sedalia,Mo.

Figs. 8, 9. Gastrodonta Clappi Pils. This Journal XII, p. 86;

XIV, p. 58. Large depressed specimen from Clingman Dome, no.

2490, coll G. H. Clapp. Alt. 3, diam. G.2 mm.

Figs. 10, 11, 12. Nenia Smt'thise Pilsbry. Page 3'.».

THE UNIONIDJE OF NOETH AMERICA.

BY H. VON IHERING.

By the publication of his " Synopsis'of the Naiades " Mr. Sirup-

son has rendered an excellent service to students of Malacology and

of the Unionidce especially. It is for me the greatest satisfaction to

felicitate Mr. Simpson upon having produced a work which will

mark a new period in the study of fresh-water mussels.

It will be understood frorfk this that the work of Mr. Simpson does

not represent the conclusion of a serjes of successful studies, but a

basis for the beginning of a new period of investigation. Doubtless

this work will give an impulse to the study of the Unionidce, and

it is the purpose of these lines to point out what we may expect

concerning the American Unionida.

38 THE NAUTILUS.

The criticisms we have to make upon the Synopsis of Mr. Simp-

son refer principally to two points: The validity of the genera

adopted by him, and the systematic arrangement of these groups to

form greater sections. Concerning the specific limits and their

sometimes enormous synonymy I am nearly always of the same

opinion with him. Some observations about, species concerning

which I hold divergent views, will follow at more length below.

I cannot say the same concerning the genera, as may easily be

understood. Many of the distinctive characters are derived from

anatomic structures, and therefore are unknown where the animal

has not yet been observed. The association of a number of species

in one genus is therefore in many cases but a provisional grouping ;

and specially is this the case with the Mexican and Central Amer-

ican species.

The systematic arrangement of the North American Unionidce, as

given by Simpson in his Synopsis, is based essentially upon the

marsupia ; that is to say the gills or parts of them functioning us

ovisacs. This is a classification which we may not see emploved

without scruples, because it is based rather on physiologic limn

anatomical characters. Zoological classification is founded on mor-

phological characters, and while physiologic or biological facts may

give us important explanations, they cannot be employed directly for

systematic purposes. This is generally acknowledged, since it ! e-

came necessary to dismember the class of Helminthes, and it is

likewise valid for the MoUusoi* as proved by the example of the

pelagic gastropods. Whether the eggs expelled out of the genital

orifice, pass into the inner gills (Endobranchiai} or in the outer

ones (Exobranchifs) or if they fill on each side both the gills

(Amphibranchice) , is a fact of merely physiologic signification, and

cannot be employed for systematic purposes. These differences are

less than those which exist in many genera or species of gastropods,

very closely allied, in reference to the deposition of eggs, some being

oviparous, others ovoviviparous or viviparous. As it seems, there

are in many species of the group Lampsilis and Quadrula structural

modifications of the outer gills, which may be used for systematic

purposes, but the few exact data, thereon which may be found in the

publications of Lea, Sterki and Simpson are throughout insufficient.

What we need is a careful, histological study upon the gills, marsu-

pia and ovisacs of the North American Unionidce.

THE NAUTILUS. 39

These facts, however, do not affect the general question. It is

quite evident that a systematic arrangement of the marsupia does not

coincide with a natural system of the family. The species of Diplo-

don of New Zealand, which 1 have examined, had filled only the

inner gills with eggs ; but Suter has observed that sometimes eggs

are also found in the outer gills. Simpson says that in the species of

Quadrula, both the gills are filled with eggs, but that sometimes the

inner gill contains but few. We cannot doubt that in the most an-

cient Unionidce the eggs were discharged only into the inner gills and

that later all four gills were filled with eggs, representing the last

stage, the exclusive employment of the outer gills. In the genus

Quadrula all these successive stages are still represented ; and it is

not admissible to use such differences for the establishment of genera.

It happens that in the same species are observed great differences in

this respect. The specimen of Quadrula heros Say, examined by Lea,

had filled with eggs all the four gills ; while the specimen examined

by Sterki had only the hinder part of the outer gills filled with eggs,

as in many species of Lampsilis. According to the classification of

Simpson, which in this respect is an artificial one, these specimens

would fall in quite different genera. Differences of this nature have

caused Simpson to separate from Quadrula various species and

sub-genera. It is no natural disposition when we see Pleurobema

allied with Unio, Quadrula tvberculata Bar. widely separated from

the nearly related species speciosa, forsheyi, etc.; Obliquaria reflexa

widely remote from Quadrula metanevra; Quadrula cesopus allied to

Pleurobema. In the same manner is Lampsilis phaseolus separated

from L. iris, etc., because the development of the inarsupium is more

extensive. Therefore it is necessary to associate these separated

groups with their real relatives.

(To be concluded.)

A NEW COLOMBIAN CLAUSILIA.

BY HENRY A. PILSBRY.

Nenia Smithies, n. sp. PI. II, figs. 10, 11, 12.

Shell cylindric-fusiform, rather thin, lusterless, nearly smooth,

obsoletely marked with growth-wrinkles ; of a rich purplish-brown

color. Whorls 8-|, moderately convex, the penultimate widest, those

40 THE NAUTILUS.

above gradually tapering to an obtuse apex ; last whorl flattening at

the sides, elongated, having a weak basal carina, the suture very

obliquely descending, becoming shortly free in front. Aperture large,

rotund-ovate, dark reddish-brown inside ; peristome broadly flaring,

white on both face and reverse. Superior lamella vertical, compressed

and sharp, continuous with the spiral lamella. Spiral lamella short,

penetrating merely to a dorsal position. Inferior lamella rather re-

ceding, not extended upon the peristome, strongly converging toward

the superior lamella, ascending straightly inside, and penetrating to

a ventral position. Subcolumellar lamella completely immersed,

short. Principal plica situated high, short, extending from a latero-

dorsal position nearly to the lip. Lunella united with the lower end

of a short, curved upper palatal plica, together with it forming some-

what the shape of an inverted letter J. No lower palatal plica.

Length 24, diam. 4.2, longest axis of aperture 5.5 mm.

Sierra de Sta. Marta, U. S. of Colombia, at El Libana, at 6000 to

7000 ft. elevation, in moss on tree trunks. Collected by Mr. H. H.

Smith, May, 1898.

This species belongs to a somewhat numerous group of plain species

from Colombia and Ecuador. It resembles N. femurina Jouss., of

Ecuador, but has different sculpture and a longer " neck." In N.

crossei Hid., the aperture is narrower and oblong, not rounded-ovate

as in this species.

It is named in honor of Amelia "W. Smith, the devoted and capable

companion of her naturalist husband, on his collecting journeys

through the tropics of two continents. Types in Coll. A. N. S. Phila.

and of George H. Clapp.

A GIGANTIC FOSSIL LTJCINA.

BY AVM. H. BALL.

During the cruises of the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Albatross

in the West Indies, some years ago, one of the party collected some

fossils from various localities, and among others some large internal

casts of bivalves from Clairemont, St. Ann's Parish, Jamaica.

These, according to the investigations of Hill, must have come from

the Montpelier white limestone, a widespread deposit of Upper

Eocene or Oligocene age, but older than the Oligocene of the

THE NAUTILCS. 41

Bowden horizon. The Montpelier limestone contains, as a rule,

little that is recognizable in the way of fossils except foraminifera;

hence any species which can be identified is of interest, and in the

present case the interest is increased by the unparalleled size, for the

genus, of the species concerned. The specimens referred to appear

to belong to the sub-genus Miltha or Psendomiltha of the Lucinidce.

It is absolutely certain that they belong to the genus Lucina, senso

lato, and probably to one or the other of the above-mentioned sub-

genera. The species, which may be provisionally named Lucina

megameris, is, so far as I am aware, the largest Lucinoid shell known.

It is equivalve, very inequilateral, the beaks being near the anterior

third, moderately convex, though somewhat flattened peripherally;

the cavity of the beaks rather shallow, the internal margins of the

valves smooth and entire, the lower posterior part of the valves pro-

duced, the anterior end rounded, short ; posterior adductor scars

small and high ; anterior scar low, narrow and loriform, produced

backward nearly to the vertical from the posterior scar. There are

no traces of the cardinal teeth, if any, but there were two feeble,

non-functional, posterior laterals, one on each valve. The disk is

more or less radiately striated and profusely punctate, as in many

other Lucinas. The greatest length of the cast, on a line drawn

from the umbo tangent to the posterior end of the anterior scar, is

235 mm.; the shorter line at right angles to the last, 230 mm.; the

diameter of the cast from side to side, G7 mm. The margins are

defective to the extent of half an inch or more in front and behind ;

the valves appear to have been not quite closed when the matrix

filled them, but the margin opposite the umbones appears to be

complete. Allowing 15 mm. for the thickness of the shell at the

umbones, which from the breadth of the impression of part of the

hinge-plate preserved seems reasonable, and the total length of the

valves would in that case have been 250 mm., or about ten inches

The largest Lucinoid shell heretofore recorded, Lucina (Pseudo-

milthci) gigantea Desliayes, from the Parisian Eocene, attains a

length of 98 mm., slightly less than four inches ; from which the

overwhelming superiority in size of the Jamaican species is evident.

The cast, without extraneous matter, weighs seven pounds avoir-

dupois.

With the exception of Hippopus and Tn'dacna, the shells of very

few, if any, of the teleodont bivalves equal or exceed the above

' THE NAUTILUS.

dimensions, though the mass of the animal in Pcmopea and Tresus is

probably greater than in our species. On the other hand, among

the Prionodonts, such as Inoceramiis, etc., a number of fossil forms

occur which were larger; and the spread of the valves of the recent

pearl oyster, Meleagrina, sometimes exceeds a foot, when closed.

In a recent examination of all the generic forms supposed to

belong to the family Lucinidce, I have been led to the conclusion

that there is no evidence that the Palaeozoic fossils referred to

Paracyclas Hall, should be, placed in this group. They appear to

be absolutely without any of the characters which are diagnostic of

Pelecypods belonging to the Lucinidce.

I may add that the Clairemont limestones contain two other

species of this family, one a true Lucina of the type of L. edentula

Reeve, and the other a species of Phacoides belonging to the sub-

genus Lucinoma Ball., typified by L. Jilosa Stimpson ; a group

which has a remarkably wide distribution in age, space and depth of

water.

THE AMERICA PHYSJE.

BY O. A. CRANDALL, SEDALIA, MO.

Physa anclllaria Say.

Including the subspecies Pliysa vinosa Gould, magnalacustris Wal-

ker, and crassa Walker.

This species was described in 1826 from forms taken from the

Delaware river near Easton, Pa. Typical forms are still found in

the same locality. It differs from P. heterostropha Say, in its larger

size, more inflated form and by its coarser lines of 'growth. The

greatest difference lies in the. manner in which the whorls are put

together, and the resulting change in the structure of the suture and

form of the spire. In that species the whorls lie against each other,

forming a more or less impressed suture, while in this form the

whorls overlap in such a manner as to make the suture appear as a

mere line. The type is shouldered, but in a majority of specimens

the shoulder is not prominent. It has a little more than four

whorls, the last very large, and the columella is always twisted. It

is an annuan, but forms are found having two varicose lines on the

last whorl near the margin.

THE NAUTILUS. 43

Distinguished by its inflated form, shoulder, low spire, unim-

pressed sutures and twisted coluniella.

Physa vinosa Gould. This variety differs from the type only in

having a more globose form, the spire a little more elevated, and im-

pressed sutures.

Physa magnalacustris Walker. This form has been recently dis-

covered by Mr. Bryan Walker in northern Michigan. As his des-

cription has been published in the NAUTILUS it is not necessary for

me to give it here. It is a large, fine globose shell, remarkable for

the broad, white longitudinal bands on the last whorl. If they are

all like the specimens shown me, it should rank as a species.

Pliysa crassa Walker. This variety has also been recently de-

scribed from forms found in Michigan. It is much heavier and

somewhat narrower than the type. It has been well described by

its author.

Physa cmcillaria is distributed over the same territory as P. hetero-

stropha Say, but is not so plentiful in the extreme east, and may

extend a little further west, but does not cross the Mississippi river.

P. obesa, De Kay, is a form of this species.

Physa sayi Tappan.

There has been a great deal of contention over thio species. Some

of our ablest conchologists contend that it should not rank as a spe-

cieSj while others equally as experienced accord it that rank. After

having given it much investigation and study, I have decided to re-

cognize it as a species. That it is an offshoot of P. anciUaria Say,

as that shell is of P. heterostropha Say, I have no doubt ; but has it

not by its constant variation from its ancestor established the right

to rank as a species? It is not only possible, but highly probable

that all the American species of this genus sprung from one form.

The evolution began away back in the dreamy past, and has contin-

ued in some degree to the present time. When in our investigations

we find a form that has maintained distinctive characters for a long

period of time — -in fact so long that the knowledge of man runs not

to the contrary — -we must admit it to specific rank.

It was described sixty years ago from forms taken in Lake Pipin,

Portage Co., Ohio, and typical forms are still found having the same

inflated form, expanded lip, elevated spire with dark brown apex,

five whorls, coarse lines of growth and two varicose bands.

It is distributed over the northern part of the United States, and

44 THE NAUTILUS.

extends into Canada and as far west as the Rocky Mountains, but

not south of the Ohio and Missouri rivers.

Physa warreniana Lea, is a lees inflated form and may be ranked

as a variety.

Physa lordi Baird.

This species was described in 1863 from specimens taken in Oso-

yoos Lake, British Columbia. It is a northwestern species, and

probably does not extend east much beyond the Rocky Mountains.

It is the largest American species of the genus, and may be readily

distinguished by its large size, inflated, gibbous form, and thin and

fragile shell.

Physa parkeri Currier.

The consensus of opinion places this shell with P. lordi Baird as a

variety, but in this opinion I do not concur. I am unable to see any

similarity in the two forms except in size, and the general outline of

the form when P: parkeri is not shouldered. P. lordi is a large gib-

bous form, while P. parkeri is large and square shouldered. It is

also a thick, heavy shell of a different color and structure. I leave

the ma.tt.er to be determined by those more familiar with these forms

than I am.

Distribution, Northern Michigan.

Physa rhomboidea, n. sp. PI. II, fig. 6, 7.

Shell rhomboid-ovate, large, heavy, robust, yellowish horn-color to

pale yellowish-brown, texture fine, surface undulating and shining

when not covered with a dark coating, spire elevated, acute with

dark brown tip, whorls five convex, sutures much impressed, aperture

ovate, lip simple, not expanded, sometimes a little compressed, thick-

ened on inner margin with reddish-brown callus, columella well cov-

ered with heavy deposit continuing and extending from the lip. On

many of them the columella is folded so as to form a narrow um-

bilicus.

Length 16 mm. diameter 9 mm. Bi-annuan.

This shell was collected by me in Cedar and Muddy creeks, near

Sedalia, Mo. I have since found it at Dardanelles and Sulphur

Springs, Ark., and at three localities near Las Vegas, New Mexico.

I have sent to Prof. Pilsbry examples from Missouri and Las Vegas.

In a reservoir on Romaro ranch I found some dead shells consider-

ably larger than the one described.

It is distinguished by its robust appearance, deep sutures, con-

THE NAUTILUS. 45

stricted aperture and umbilicus, which will be found in a large part

of them. It is more like P. solida Philippi than any other species.

Physa gyrina Say.

Including the subspecies Physa hildrethiana Lea, ohacea Tryon,

and albofilata Ancey.

This species was found in Bowyer Creek, near Council Blutl's,

Iowa, in 1821. It is a large, coarse shell, sub-cylindrical in form ;

the largest sizes having six whorls. The lip joins the body whorl at

an acute angle, forming a loop-shaped aperture ; the penultimate

whorl is enlarged, giving the spire a blunt appearance, lines of

growth coarse, crossed by microscopic strive, giving the surface a dull

appearance.

Diameter y8^- the length. This species is a tri-annuan.

Distinguished by its form, coarse lines of growth, loop-shaped

aperture, large penultimate whorl and obtuse spire.

Physa hildrethiana Lea, comprises nearly all the forms found east

of the Mississippi river. It is distinguished from the type by being

of a lighter texture, finer lines of growth, not so much covered with

cross stria?, and having a darker color. Many of these forms are

more slender.

Physa oleacea Tryon. This variety is more cylindrical than

either of the other forms, has a very obtuse spire, lines of growth

much finer and the cross stria? more thickly covering the surface,

giving the shell a smooth, dull appearance. It is generally found

with five whorls. The spire is very variable, but otherwise its

markings are constant. Some forms are cylindrical with the spire

smoothly rounded over, showing no raised apex. ,This form Prof.

Tryon, in the "Monograph of the Fresh-water Univalve Mollusca,"

placed with the synonyms of P. elliptic a Lea. It is sometimes so

distinct from all other forms of this species that I should accord it

the rank of a species but for the fact that my observations while col-

lecting them have clearly disclosed so many proofs that it is only a

peculiar and eccentric form of P. gyrina. I have found it inhabit-

ing little ponds, with the typical form maintaining family relations,

and of all sizes and forms from the cylindrical scarcely raised spire

to the elongated and obtuse spire of the typical form. I am fortified

in this position by Prof. Tryon, to whom I took some samples for

identification about a year before his death, and he identified them

as a variety of P. gyrina.

(To be concluded.)

46 THE NAUTILUS.

GENERAL NOTES.

The following interesting notes are taken from the Journal of

Conchology, Vol. x, no. 2, pp. 35-42, April, 1901, " Conchology at

the Dawn and Close of the Nineteenth Century" (The Presidential

Address delivered by Mr. E. R. Sykes, at the Annual Meeting of

the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Oct. 27,

1900).

* "The close of the Nineteenth Century is, to use a com-

mercial expression, a time to 'take stock,' and consider what prog-

ress has been made. It is with one of these forms of estimating our

present position that I propose for a few minutes to concern myself,

and especially with an endeavor to arrive at some idea of the actual

number of species of recent mollusca which are now known to

science. Any such estimate can but be approximate, but a survey

of the most recent monographs enables one to form a fairly accurate

conception.

" The classic starting-point for such a calculation, as indeed for

all other systematic molluscan work, \s the tenth edition of Linnaeus."

His works contain roughly speaking about 700 species. This

number gradually increased nearly every year, until " Dilhvyn. in

1817, was enabled to enumerate 2,244; which we may divide into:

CepJialopoda, 45; Gastropoda, 1,510; Scaphopoda, 15; Pelecypoda,

638 ; Polyplacophora, 36.

In the classic work of the brothers Adams (1853-58) we find the

following: Cephalopoda, 197; Gastropoda, 12,604; Scaphopoda,

46; Pelecypoda, 4,*/58 ; Polyplacophora, 216.

Treating Paetel's well-known work (1888-1890) in the same way

we get : Cephalopoda, 305 ; Gastropoda, 35,134; Scaphopoda, 1 37 ;

Pelecypoda, 8,467 ; Polyplacophora, 439 ; or a total of 44,482

species.

" Hoyle's catalogue of the recent Cephalopoda in 1886, with ad-

denda in 1896, contains 469. From the Zoological Record of

1897—9, we add eleven, and on an average, we may include four for

1900, making a total of 484 species.

In the Gastropoda the recent catalogue of the Cyclophoridse, Cy-

clostomatida, and allies, by Kobelt and Moellendorff. " yields about

2,444 species, and if we add 48 species from the Zoo'l. Record of

1899, and estimate a similar number for the 1900, we get 2,541."

Since Paetel's list in 1888 (omitting the CycJoplioridtz, etc.), basing

1900 on a three years' average (682), there have been recorded 7,396,

a total estimate of 43,021.

As to the Scaphopods, the most recent monograph, by Pilsbry and

Sharp, yields 238 ; if we add the single one in the record of 1899,

and another for 1900, we have 240 species.

For the Pelecypoda we have since Paetel's list (1890), basing as

before, 1900 on a three years' average (142), 1,056; a total of

9,523 species.

THE NAUTILUS. 47

" Finally we turn to the Amphineura. Here from Dr. Pilsbry's

work we get : Polyplacopliora, 540 ; Aplacophora, 33. Adding from

the Zool. Record in a precisely similar manner we have to include

Polyplacophora, 59 ; Aplacophora, 4 ; and we get a final total of (!,'!(>.

" The next question which arises is, how far are the above totals

trustworthy ? On the one hand they are inflated by a mass of

synonyms which still masquerade as species, while on the other hand

they are reduced by a certain number of omissions. The only

omission of any importance, however, will, I think, be found in the

Nudibranchiata, of which the true total is, owing to the nature of the

works consulted, unduly curtailed."

"Making a reduction therefore for synonyms and allowing for the

above, I think a very fair approximation will be : Cephalopoda, 4/><>;

Gastropoda, 40,000 ; Scaphopoda, 2*20; Pelecypoda, 8,500; Ampin -

neura, 600; or a grand total of 49,770 — say 50,000 known species

of recent mollusca." C. W. J.

THE LOCALITY OF SAT'S TYPE OF ALASMIDONTA MARGINATA.

—Bearing on the question whether the name Alasmidonta inurginata

of Say should be applied to an Eastern or a Western shell, and as it

has been questioned that Lea ever collected in the Scioto River, the

following quotation1 will be found of interest : " Mr. Lea remembers

that Mr. Say founded his genus Alasmodonta on a single valve which

he himself had picked up on the river shore at Chillicothe, Ohio, and

which he carried from that place to Philadelphia in his saddle-bass."

From this it is clear that Say's name should be applied to the form

known as A. truncata of the western states, as it corroborates Say's

statement that the type was found in the Scioto River.

It may be well to point out that the Journal of the Academy of

Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, containing the description of Alas-

midonta marainata, although dated December, 1818, really did not

appear until the year 1819, which is the same date as the separate

of Say's paper from the 3d edition of Nicholson's Encyclopedia.

From the fact that no locality for the species is given in the latter

paper, it seems safe to say that A. marainata was first described

therein, the locality being supplied in the later paper in the Journal,

which was published prior to March 13th, 1819, as Say, in a letter

of that date, speaks of having sent a copy of it to a correspondent.

In Say's American Conchology there is an article, or chapter per-

haps, entitled : " An attempt to exhibit a synonymy of the Western

North American species of the genera Unio and Alasmodonta," in

which will be found listed as a western species, "Alasniodonta mar-

ginata Say."- -WiLLiAM J. Fox.

1 From The Published Writhiqs of Isaac Lea, LL. D., by Newton Pratt Scud-

der. (Bull. No. 23, W. S. Nat. Mus.}

48 THE NAUTILUS.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We extract the following from a letter recently received from Rev.

W. H. Fluck, Wounta Haulover. (Address care of Moravian Mission,

Bluefields. Nicaragua):

" I believe I am the only conchologist in Nicaragua, and 1 sup-

pose my collection is not only the largest but the finest. Caesar

said, ' Better be first in a little Iberian village than be second in

Rome,' but I don't agree with him. I send you herewith a few shells.

Donax cayennensis Lam. Prinzapolka, Mosquito Coast, Nica-

ragua, C. A.

Donax denticidatus L. Wounta Haulover.

Nerita pelaronta L. Man of War Keys, Mosquito Coast, Nica-

ragua, C. A.

Dione dione Linne. Wounta Haulover.

Neritina reclivata Say, var. reticulata C. & J. In the Lagoon at

Wounta Haulover.

Pachycheilus corvinus Morel. Quiquina, on the Toongla River.

Pulymesoda inflat.a Hanley. Lagoon, Wounta Haulover.

I have eaten bushels of the Donaces. The Indian children collect

them at low water."

We would add that the specimens of Donax and Dione are the

finest we have ever seen. The Neritina is exceptionally large.

Neritina reclivata is now referred, correctly no doubt, to N. lineolata

Lam.; and the netted Central American race will stand as N. lineo-

lata var. reticulata C. & J. Polymesoda is what has usually been

known as Oyrena; and is now accepted as the generic name for the

American Cyrenas, which have a small pallial sinus, such as carolin-

ensis and the tropical American species.

Working alone in a bookless land, we are sure that Mr. Fluck

will be glad to receive papers on conchological topics, and exchanges

for the shells of his region.

GEORGE W. DEAN.

We regret to learn of the death of our old friend Mr. Geo. W.

Dean, which occurred on April 10th at his home in Kent, Ohio.

Mr. Dean was born in Wayne township, Ashtabula Co., Ohio,

August 20, 1820. In 1855 he took up the occupation of a nursery-

man and florist, a business in which he was successfully engaged

until the time of his death.

Mr. Dean was a great lover and student of nature, and well known

to many of the readers of THE NAUTILUS, for notwithstanding his

busy life as a horticulturist, he was an ardent and enthusiastic col-

lector of shells.

THE NAUTILUS.

VOL. XV.

SEPTEMBER, 19O1.

. 5.

A NEW JAMAICAN ADAMSIELLA.

BY J. B. HENDERSON, JR.

Adanisiella jarvisi n. s.

Shell moderately elongate, pyramidal. Whorls four, well rounded,

the last leaving the body of the shell and projecting one-half its own

length free in a slight

curve. Apex truncate;

sutures well impressed.

Sculpture consists of

ii n e v e n 1 y-s paced,

prominen tly-raised

laminae circling all the

\\ liorls ; these are

crossed by obsolete

spiral lirse which are

only apparent at their

points of intersection with the transverse ridges. Umbilicus narrow

and extending through the shell, forming a puncture at the apical

truncation. Aperture exactly round; inner peritreme greatly ex-

tended; the outer peritreme corresponding to an exaggerated lamina,

circles the whorl like a collar, the outer edge of which is irregular

but not fluted. Color pale yellowish-gray.

Height 11 ; diam. above aperture 6.5; greatest diam. '.) ; diam. of

aperture 3 mm.

This species resembles .4. peurnununnn in general shape and sculp-

ture, but is obviously distinct by reason of ils coarser lamina1 and

evidences of spiral stride, also by the striking projection of the l;i~i

50 THE XAUTILUS.

whorl. The sculpture of this shell is somewhat suggestive of the

rough burr-like appearance presented by some of the Jamaican

Choanopomas. A series of chestnut-brown spots circling the outer

expanded peritreme probably indicates in fresh specimens parallel

rows of similar spots upon the whorls. Operculum unknown.

Collected by Mr. Jarvis near Ewarton, Jamaica.

THE UNIONIDJE OF NORTH AMERICA.

BY H. YON IHERING.

Entering into consideration of particular species, I would make the

following observations :

Quadrula spheniopsis Morel certainly does not belong to the

genus Quadrula, because the female is inflated in the same manner

on the base of the shell as Lampsilis. I have a good series of speci-

mens, some of which were examined by the late Dr. Fischer. I sub-

ordinate this species to the genus Nephronaias, of which Pachynaias

Crosse and Fischer is a synonym.

Quadrula pernodosa Lea. I consider that this is not a variety of

pustulosa, because the form is quite different from that of the varie-

ties of pustulosa, which is always more quadrate, while pernodosa is

of an elongate, higher form, with more prominent beaks. The hinge-

line is longer in pustulosa. The distance of the large pseudocardinal

tooth from the end of the lateral is more than a half of the height in

pustulosa, but is less in pernodosa.

Lampsilis occidens Lea, I consider as a good species, different

from L. ventricosus by the more central position of the beaks and

different shape of the anterior extremity. I have males and females

of both ventricosus and occidens.

Lampsilis pictus Lea, is perhaps the male of perdix Lea.

Lampsilis sapperi sp. n. This is the shell mentioned by Simpson

in his Catalogue, p. 571, n. 4, as a doubtful variety of L. explicatns.

The shell is more elongate, with the ventral margins sinuate and the

anterior extremity lower and somewhat obliquely truncate on the

inferior part of the anterior margins. The pseudocardinals are very

stout, one in the right, two in the left valve. This differs remarkably

from L. explicatus as figured by Crosse and Fischer, pi. 61, fig. 1, of

the Moll. Mex., having the pseudocardinals elevated, compressed,

THE NAUTILUS. 51

lamelliform. I believe the L. sapperi more allied to L. umbrosus

Lea than to explicatus, being, however, of a more elongate form with

produced posterior extremity and larger size. The type example has

a length of 64 mm., breadth of 114 mm., diam. of 38 mm. The

epidermis is dark brown, blackish, the nacre white. The posterior

slope has two obtuse, somewhat indistinct diverging lines. The spe-

cies is from the Chixoy river in Guatemala, and dedicated to Dr.

Carl Sapper, who has collected in scientific expeditions in Central

America and Mexico many interesting Unionidce, for which I am

much indebted to him.

Nephronaias medellinm Lea seems to be the same as Lampsilis

aztecorum Phil.

Nephronaias averyi Lea, I have from the Rio Tuca, in N.-W.

Guatemala.

Nephronaias goascoranensis Lea (1858), I have received from

Dr. Sapper from the Moramusko river, in Honduras, and from the

Rio Coco in Nicaragua. The species varies, and I have specimens

corresponding to the figure of Lea and others to that of Crosse and

Fischer (Miss. Sci., Mexico, pt. 2, 1894, pi. 64, fig. 5 and 5 a), of

Unio calamitarum Morelet (1849.) The name of this widely-

distributed Central American species should, therefore, be Nephro-

naias calamitarum Morelet, if Morelet, as also Crosse and Fischer

have not confounded two different species, and it is impossible to

say what is the true calamitarum.

Nephronaias tabascoensis Kiister (1856) is also a widely-distributed

Central American species. This is my No. 60 from the Rio Copan,

Guatemala, tributary of the Motagua river, and which Mr. Simpson

believed be the scamnatus Morelet. Having both N. scamnatus

Morel, and gandlachi Dunker from Cuba, I consider them different.

The true scamnatus is a smaller and thinner shell, while to tabasco-

ensis are synonymous U. persulcatus Lea, rugulosus Kiist. and per-

haps also plicatulus Kiister. To this species belongs also Unio cala-

mitarum Morelet, var. prolongata Crosse et Fischer 1. c., p. 612, pi.

63, fig. 5 et 5 a. The supposed Central American examples of N.

scamnatus may be identical with N. dysoni Lea. N. tabascoensis I

have also from Nicaragua, Rio Telpanek, and (No. 61) from El

Obrage, Guatemala.

Referring to the genera of North American Unionidae admitted

by Simpson, I would make the following observations :

52 THE NAUTILUS.

Truncilla. This. would be a quite natural genus, eliminating some

lieterogenous elements, that must be placed with Quadrula, as T.

personata Say, allied to Q. trigona, and T. perplexa andfoliata allied

to Q. metanevra.

Lampsilis. A very natural genus, from which, however, Proptera

should be separated as a genus.

Obovaria belongs in the vicinity of Quadrula, as do likewise Tri-

togonia, Cyprogenia, Obliquaria and Dromus.

Ptychobranchus is a subgenus of Lampsilis.

Pleurobema will form a natural group after the removal of P.

cesopus and probably some other species.

Unio. There are to be removed U. spheniopsis, a species allied to

Nephronaias cyrenoides, and also the group of U. semigranosus, con-

sisting of species of Quadrula. There are a number of species of

Quadrula in Mexico distinguished by peculiar granular sculpture

and thin reddish-gray epidermis, for which Crosse and Fischer cre-

ated the sub-genus Psoronaias. I can find no reason for dividing

them between two groups, as Simpson has done; and I unite U.

semigranosus and allied species to Quadrula. In this way all sculp-

tured forms are eliminated from the genus Unio.

Plagiola. Genus probably to be restricted to P. elegans and

similar forms, while P. cyrenoides, etc., may be transferred to

Nephronaias.

The family Unionidce, as limited by Simpson, would contain,

according to these views, two families : DiplodontidcE and Unionidce,

which are distinguished not only by the marsupia. but also by im-

portant conchological characters. The sexual differences, strongly

pronounced in the Lampsilis group, are not entirely deficient in the

other groups, as there are species with pronounced sexual differences

in both the genera Quadrula and Diplodon. The sculpture of the

beaks is concentric in the Unionidse, radial in the Diplodontidce. In

some species of ffyriaand Tetraplodon the radial sculpture is reduced

or almost obsolete. Of two specimens of Castaliella sulcata Krauss in

my collection, one shows the radial sculpture well developed ; in the

other it is nearly absent. The pseudo-cardinals are variant in both

examples ; the nacre is bluish-white. This mussel is doubtless identical

with Tetraplodon schombergianus Sow., but 1 have received my speci-

mens, collected by Kapler on the Marowini River, Surinam, from the

Zoological Museum in Stuttgart as typical specimens of Castalia

THE NAUTILUS. 53

sulcata Krauss. As Simpson believes also to be typical his specimen

with purplish nacre, further investigations will be necessary, how-

ever, as it is probable that the species shows some variability, and

that Tetraplodon schombergianus is a synonym.

Conformable with the conceptions here exposed, we may consider

the super-family of Naiades as composed of two families : Unionidte

and DiplodontidcK. The former, the only one occurring in North

America, may be divided into the following three sub-families :

UNIONISE with the genera: Anodonta, Lastena, Gonidea, Ano-

dontoides, Peyias, Arcidens, Symphynota, Alasmidonta^ ffemilastena,

3 far gar it ana, Unio.

QUADRULIN^E with the genera : Quadrula, Pleurobema, Obovaria,

Cyprogenia, Obliquaria, Dromus.

LAMPSILIN^E with the genera : Lampsilis, Truncilla, Micromya,

Medionidus, Nephronaias, Glebula, Plagiola.

As shown by the arguments given, the opinions of Mr. Simpson,

in many essential points, are in accordance with those of the writer,

and I thought it useful to publish such of my ideas as do not accord

with Mr. Simpson's, in order to submit them to examination in the

discussion which a book of such great importance will naturally

provoke.

S. Paulo (Brazil} 10 May, 1901.

AN ABNORMAL CHITON.

In September of last year Mr. Hemphill sent me a photograph of

an abnormal specimen of the common Californian species Ischnochiton

(Maugerella) conspicuus Cpr., the divergence from the ordinary

form consisting in its having only six valves. The length of the

specimen (photo) is about 70 and the breadth 38 millimeters. There

is no indication of pathologic deformity ; the proportionate size of

the valves compared with the size of the shell as a whole, exhibits

no eccentricity. Cooke, in the Mollusca volume of the Cambridge

Natural History Series, remarks that "seven-valved monstrosities

very rarely occur." Sykes has recently reported and figured a

three-valved individual. In the hundreds of Chitons of various

species that I have collected on the West Coast I have never de-

tected an example with less than the usual number, though it is pos-

sible in handling a large number, especially of the smaller forms, to

54 THE NAUTILUS.

overlook an individual varying in the above respect. It will be well

for collectors to keep their eyes open for such abnormal individuals ;

it may be found that they occnr oftener than is supposed.

R. E. C. STEARNS.

Los Angeles, May 2, 1901.

THE AMERICAN PHYS.E.

BY O. A. CRANDALL, SEDALIA, MO.

Physa gyrina var. albofilata Ancey. This variety is confined to

southwest Missouri and northwestern Arkansas, extending into the

Indian Territory and Kansas. It is distinguished by its lighter

color, fine lines of growth, rarely showing cross strise, generally

malleated on some part of the surface, and large white varicose bands.

It is generally found with five whorls.

Forms : Physa hawni Lea, P. cylindrica Newcomb, Physa smith-

soniana Lea.

P. gyrina is the most widely distributed of all the American species.

It extends over all the territory between the Alleghanies and Rocky

Mountains, and from the Arctic region south into Alabama and

Texas. I have examples from near Philadelphia, Pa., and from

Routt county, Colorado, but I do not consider them permanent in-

habitants of those localities. It is possible that they may yet be

found to extend as far west as the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but I

have been unable to obtain any evidence that they now inhabit the

Great Basin. I account for their being found outside of the limits

here given by the ova being carried on the feet of migratory birds,

by means of which isolated colonies are planted, which survive for a

time, but finally become absorbed by the more numerous inhabitants

and disappear. They may be called sporadic colonies. This also in

part accounts for the hybridization that has produced so many forms

that have been described as new species, only to vanish in a season.

Physa elliptic;! Lea.

Includes the sub-species Physa elh'ptica troostiana Lea, Physa ellip-

tica minor n. v.

There probably is not a more distinct species in the genus than

this, yet Binney and Haldeman place it in the synonymy of P.

gyrina Say. Tryon recognized it as a species, gave it a very large

THE NAUTILUS. OO

synonymy, and substituted his description of P. oleacea for that of

Lea. The species are widely different, and were so acknowledged

by him in later years. The form which I refer to this species may

be described as follows :

Shell elliptical, thin, pellucid, smooth and generally shining, lines

of growth scarcely perceptible, spire rather short and obtuse, sutures

impressed, aperture elliptical, axis straight, with varicose bands

when mature, and diameter from two-fifths to one-half the length.

The outline is almost exactly that of an elliptic spring. All the

varieties are small, not exceeding a half inch in length.

O O

Physa troostiana Lea is a more robust form, more obtuse, and the

diameter a little greater in proportion to the length. Its habitat is

along the Ohio valley.

Physa elliptica minor n. v. was sent to me from Grand Rapids,

Mich., by Mr. Streng. It is very small, being only four to five mm.

in length, rather cylindrical in form, whorls three, convex, sutures

impressed, spire slightly elevated, surface highly polished, color

deeper than the type. At first I thought they were immature, but

the lip has a well defined rib on the subuiargin, and I now think

they are a miniature form of this species.

Physa deformis Currier probably belongs here, and may be a

variety, but for the present I prefer to consider it only a form. It

may be a larger form of P. elliptica minor ; if so it will take its place.

Forms : P. aurea Lea, P. febigerii Lea, P. nicklinii Lea.

This species is distributed sparingly over all the region east of the

Mississippi and north of Tennessee.

Phjsa niagarensis Lea.

This species was described in 18G4 from forms taken in Niagara

river, N. Y., but has generally been considered a variety of P.

integer Hald. In fact I have held the same opinion until quite

recently. In the last few years I have had opportunity to examine

examples of P. integer from over fifty localities, about one-fourth of

which were properly referred to this species, and from these exami-

nations and the places from which they were taken, I feel satisfied

that this form is not a variety of P. integer. If it is not entitled to

rank as a species, it should be referred to P. heterostroplta as a

variety.

They vary but little, but the largest part of those I have examined

have the form of P. heterostropha, except that the spire is a little

56

THE NAUTILUS.

more elevated and the acute apex is tipped with reddish-brown.

Axis straight, aperture ovate, smooth and shining surface, rarely

showing varicose bands. Color yellowish-white grading into a pale

yellowish chestnut in some forms. It usually has four whorls.

While white, it is not porcellaneous. Lea's description is correct.

P. sajfordi Lea, is a form of this species.

Distribution : Along the Great Lakes.

Physa integer Haldenum.

Subspecies : Phyfa integer billingsi Heron.

This is a very distinct species, described in 1841 from shells found

in Indiana. It is distinguished by its oval form, light color fre-

quently banded with white, deeply impressed sutures, ear-shaped

aperture and somewhat rough but shining surface. It is not closely

allied to any other species. It requires two seasons to reach matu-

rity. Diameter seven-tenths the length.

It is the only species that extends from the Lakes to the Gulf.

It inhabits all the country bordering on the Lakes from Ontario

west, and extends south and west as far as San Antonio, Texas. I

have collected live forms in the latter place, and found it fossil in the

post-pliocene at Belton, Texas.

Its distribution being different from that of any other species

raises a doubt as to the identity of the species at the extreme ends of

the territory covered. It has not been reported from south of the

Ohio river, nor from eastern Arkansas, but seems to occupy a belt

lying between central Arkansas and central Kansas, continuing

about the same width to the Gulf.

Physa billingsi Heron. The type was taken in Rideau river, near

Ottawa, Canada. The first examples sent me from that locality

varied so much from any described form that I was inclined to

accord it specific rank, but having received it from several localities

in Michigan, I am now placing it here as a well-marked variety.

It is smaller than P. integer, of finer texture, and the sutures are

much less impressed. None of them have the ear-shaped aperture.

The lip is expanded and in many of them forms the arc of a circle.

In some of them the diameter is nearly as great as the length. From

this form they graduate into the usual form of P. integer.

Its distribution, so far as known, is confined to Canada and

Michigan.

THE NAUTILUS. Oi

Physa anatina Lea.

This is the most striking and beautiful species of the genus. It

was discovered in a northern tributary of the Arkansas river in Kan-

sas, in 1864, and in that locality it has its greatest development.

The extent of its distribution is unknown. It is plentiful around

Wichita, Kansas, and has been reported from Missouri, Arkansas,

Nebraska and Michigan. It probably inhabits all the intervening

territory.

Distinguished by its sub-fusiform and symmetrical shape, smooth

and shining surface, pale color, six oblique whorls, impressed sutures,

and the malleations on the lower part of the last whorl of all adult

forms. Bi-annuan.

Diameter ^ the length.

Physa brevispira Lea.

Ottawa river, Canada West, furnished the type for this species in

1864. It is not numerous in any locality, and is seldom reported by

collectors. I have examples agreeing with Lea's figure from Lake

Nippising, Ont.. and shells from five other localities which I believe

belong here, although they differ in color and height of spire. Speci-

mens from Detroit river, Reed's Lake and Pent Water, Mich., are

good representatives of the species in size, color and all other char-

acters except that the spire is somewhat exserted. The Isle of

Mackinac furnishes a much larger white shell which I refer to the

same species.

Distinguished by its globose form, opaque whitish color and dilated

aperture. It has been sent to me as P. ancillaria and vinosa. An-

nuan.

Diameter | the length. Aperture T7^ the length of shell.

Physa walkeri n. s. PI. 2, fig. 5.

Shell elongate-ovate, ashy horn color, texture rather coarse, whorls

four, very convex, sutures much impressed, spire much elevated and

tapering to an acute apex, aperture ovate, not expanded, -^ the length

of the shell, lip tortuous and evenly curved, inner margin thickened

with thin white deposit. Length 10 mm, width 6 mm.

This little shell was sent to me by Bryant Walker, Esq., of De-

troit, Mich., having been collected by him at Petoskey, Mich., after

whom I take pleasure in naming it. It has also been sent to me

from three other localities in Michigan, and Rideau river, Ont. It

is allied to P. integer Hald, and fills the place between that species

and P. anatina Lea.

58 THE NAUTILUS.

It differs from P. Integra Hald. in having a more elevated, slender

and acute spire, less deeply impressed sutures and much finer tex-

ture. The aperture is nearly ovate, not ear-shaped, the columella

gracefully curved and covered with a thin lamina. It differs from

P. anatina Lea in being much smaller, lighter colored, the whorls

less oblique, lines of growth more visible and being of lighter texture.

The shell as a whole, when seen with these species, impresses itself

as distinct at a glance.

Physa cubensis Pfeiffer.

This is a Cuban species found in Florida. I have not seen Pfeif-

fer's description, but forms kindly sent to me by Prof. Pilsbry may

be described as follows :

Mature shell sub-fusiform, light amber, smooth and shining surface,

lines of growth scarcely perceptible, whorls five, convex, sutures im-

pressed, spire rising like a cone to an acute apex, aperture elongate

ovate, lip not expanded, columella twisted and covered with a callus.

Bi-annuan I think.

A peculiarity of this species, as shown by the forms sent to me, is

that the immature form is ovate, the last whorl in the adult being

somewhat flattened and elongated, thus making the shell sub-fusiform

when mature.

A NEW CALIFORNIAN BITTIUM.

BY W. H. DALL AND PAUL BARTSCH.

Bittium (Elachista) californicum >-pec. nov.

Shell white, broadly elongate-conic ; whorls rounded, falling off

more abruptly toward the suture than the summit. The earlier

whorls increase less rapidly in diameter, and are more evenly

rounded. Base short, well rounded ; aperture suboval, effuse and

subchannelled anteriorly, with the posterior angle rounded ; colu-

mella somewhat twisted and slightly revolute.

The ornamentation consists of about 14-16 broad and low axial

folds, which gradually become obsolete on the periphery and base,

THE NAUTILUS. -r)9

and on the whorls three or four impressed spiral lines, which are

equally apparent on the ribs and intercostal spaces.

This species occurs both recent and fossil in California. Recent

shells appear more slender with fewer ribs, 12-14. The type is a

fossil specimen from Dead Man's Id. off San Pedro, Gala., and has

8 whorls which measure : long 5.3 mm., diam. 2.2 mm. A recent

shell of 10 whorls measured 6.0 mm., diam. 2.1 mm.

LIMNAEA AURICTJLARIA IN AMERICA.

BY FRANK COLLINS BAKER.

Some weeks ago Mr. Herbert E. Walter, instructor in Biology in

the North Division High School, brought me several specimens of a

Limnaea which was new to the fauna of the United States. Upon

inquiry, the locality was given as the propagating green-house of

Lincoln Park. A few years ago Miss Marie LaGrange, a pupil in

the North Division High School, found a number of the same species

in a lily pond in the park, the water of which was artificially heated

to give the necessary warmth for certain tropical plants, the tem-

perature being above 90° Fahr.

Comparison with the shells in the Academy's collection showed

the species to be Limnaea auricularia, and an inquiry of the park

gardener brought to light the fact that certain plants had been

recently imported from Belgium. This information at once removed

the mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of this shell in the

park, and shows how easy it is at the present time to transport a

species from one continent to another, especially if it be a pulmonate.

The shells of L. auricularia are about an inch in length, of a deep

corneous color, and are rather thin. When alive, the mantle of the

animal is seen through the shell to be made up of dark and light

spots arranged irregularly. The animal appeared rather active,

moving about the aquarium with a steady, gliding motion. The

heart pulsations were 34 per minute.

It may also be of interest to state that the following introduced

species have been found in the greenhouse or in the lily ponds:

Testacella haliotoidea, Limax maximus and L. flavus^ Vitrea drapar-

naldi and Limnaea auricularia.

60 THE NAUTILUS.

ORESTES A. CRANDALL.

It is with deep regret that we record the death of Colonel O. A.

Crandall, of Sedalia, Missouri, which occurred at West Chester,

Pennsylvania, July 6. He left home during the latter part of June

on a business and pleasure trip East. After staying a few days at

Bridgeport, Connecticut, he went to Philadelphia, where he was sick

four days, when he went to the home of an old friend at West

Chester, hoping that with complete rest he would soon recuperate ;

but the extreme heat combined with heart trouble caused his sudden

death. Interment was at Sedalia.

" Orestes A. Crandall was born at Syracuse, N. Y., February 25,

1833. In 1835 his parents removed to McHenry county, Illinois,

at that time known as the Crystal Lake country, a wilderness in-

habited by Indians and wild animals. The nearest settlement was

forty miles distant. Thrown upon his own resources at the age of

thirteen, Mr. Crandall developed rapidly those sterling qualities

which in later years made him prominent among men.

" In 1853 he went to California, walking 500 miles of the distance

and carrying his bundle on his back. He worked eight years in the

Golden State as miner and mineralogist, returning to "The States"

in 1801 and locating in Saline county, Mo.

"• At the outbreak of the war, soon after corning to Missouri, he

aligned himself with the Union and went to the "wilderness" of

Illinois, where he organized and put two regiments of soldiers in the

field. He fought with honor during the war, his last battle being

the battle of Sedalia, October 15, 1864, in which he was captured by

the Confederate forces.

" He located permanently in Sedalia in 1864, and in that year

was admitted to the bar and practiced his chosen profession until the

beerinnino; of the eighties. He married Miss Kate A. Kidd, of that

O O O '

city.

" In 1875 he organized the Pettis County Bank and was made its

president. He was elected president of the Missouri Trust Com-

pany in 1880. Under his guidance the company became one of the

foremost institutions of its kind in the country."

Mr. Crandall was well known to many readers of THE NAUTILUS,

especially those interested in fresh-water snails. For a number of

vears his spare time was spent in a study of the genus Physa, the

results of which are still being published under the title " The

American Physas."

THE NAUTILUS, XV.

PLATE III.

STHOPHITUS \\ RKJIITIANUS WALKER.

THE NAUTILUS.

VOL. XV. OCTOBER, 19O1. No. 6.

LAND MOLLUSKS OF THE NORTHEASTERN GROUP OF THE LOO

CHOO ISLANDS.

BY HENRY A. PILSBRT.

The exploration of Tane-ga-shima and Yaku-no-shima (Yaku-

shima), effected under the direction of Mr. Y. Hirase, gives us abso-

lutely the first information upon the land mollusca of the " north-

eastern group " of the Loo Choo Islands.

Tane-ga-shima is a well-cultivated island, about 32 miles long and

5 wide. It is comparativeJy low, the highest point having an eleva-

tion of about 1200 feet. It is somewhat noted as being the first

Japanese soil trod by an European. In 1542, Mendez Pinto, the

Portugese adventurer, landed there, astonishing the natives with his

firearms. I have named a diminutive Clausilia in memory of this

circumstance.

Yaku-shima is a wilder, forested island, nearly circular, with a

diameter of about 15 miles. It towers in a splendid mountain mass

6000 feet, above the sea. The snail faunas of the two islands seem

to be very similar, with a number of identical species. I do not

know whether Mr. Hirase's collector ascended the peak of Yaku-

shima ; probably not. The heights would probably have different

species from the shore zone.

A Helicid species, Eulota (Euhadra) submandarina, described by

me many years ago from two bleached specimen; , one said to be from

the " Loo Choo Islands," the other labeled u China," proves to be

a characteristic species of these islands. Jt is quite unlike other

known Japanese forms, both in shell and soft anatomy. Eulota sub-

62 THE NAUTILUS.

mandarina is quite variable. The figured type measures alt. 17, diam.

21 mm. Three specimens from Tane-ga-shima (from no. 660 of Mr.

Hirase's collection) measure 16x2H, 18x244 and 20x26 mm. They

are reddish-brown, with a narrow dark band at the periphery. Two

others from the same island are more elevated, measuring alt. 22,

diam. 21, and alt. 21, diam. 25 mm. ; the latter being of a rich dark

chestnut color, the band black. These are Mr. Hirase's no. 659.

From Yaku-shima the shells sent out are larger, alt. 23, diam. 30;

alt. 22, diam. 28 mm. They have 6^ whorls, like the smaller shells

of Tane-ga shima, and the color is rather light, the peripheral band

reduced to an indistinct line. This form I have called var. magna.

It is no. 672 of Mr. Hirase's collection.

Doubtless E. submandarina is peculiar to these and perhaps some

neighbor ing islands.

The following species are not confined to the two islands : Trocho-

morpha Gouldiana Pils. occurs on Yaku-shima, indistinguishable from

the types from Oshima. Macrochlamys tanegashimce has recently been

received from Kago-shima, Satsuma (Mr. Hirase's no. 701), quite

like the types, but slightly larger. Sitala circumcincta var. data

(Gude) is a trifle more brown in color than the types from Hondo,

the perforation is perceptibly wider, and the whorls possibly less con-

vex ; but specimens received from three localities in Kiusiu are

partly similar, partly intermediate in characters, so that although it

takes next to no difference to make a '' species " in this group, I do

not think the Kiusiu or Yaku-shima Sitalas deserve separation from

the Nippon form.

Among the land operculates there is a new Spiropoma ( Ccelopoma)

which has been called S. Nakadai, and a new PupineUa, P. Fimatoi.

These are named for Messrs. Nakada and Funato, two able and en-

thusiastic collectors of shells for Mr. Hirase.

The ClausiliidcR are represented by five species and several vari-

eties, all peculiar to the islands, and remarkable for the excessive

thickness of the shells. Their general relations are with species of

Kiusiu and Nippon, not with those of the central group of the Loo

Choo Is. The wonderful forms with plicate lips, found in Oshima

and Great Luchu (Okinawa or Nawa Island) are apparently wanting

in Tane-ga-shima and Yaku-shima, and their place is taken by

species of the sections Stereophcadusa and Hemiphcedusa. All but

Clausilia stereoma are rather small, and all of them are remarkably

THE NAUTILUS. 63

unlike any Japanese species, though more nearly related to them

than to those of the central Loo Choo Islands.

The general affinities of the faunas of the two islands are with that

of southern Kiusiu, but there is remarkable specialization, vastly

more than in Tsu-shima, for instance, although the latter is more

distant from the west coast of Kiusiu than these islands from the

south. Tsu-shima, so far as the specialization of the snail fauna is

concerned, might be a part of Kiusiu. Its isolation must be of very

recent date, but Tane-ga-shima and Yaku-shima are clearly much

more ancient islands. The full list of species sent by Mr. Hirase is

as follows :

Species from Tane-ga-shima.

Eulota submandarina (Pils.). Clausilia Pinto Pils.

Ganesella tanegashimaj Pils. Clausilia tanegashima? Pils.

Macrochlamys tanegashima? Pils. Spiropoma Nakadai Pils.

Microcystina Hiraseana Pils. Pupinella rufa var. tanegashima?.

Clausilia stereoma var. cognata Pils.

Pils. Pupinella Funatoi Pils.

Clausilia ptychocyma Pils. Diplommatina tanegashimre Pils.

Clausilia entospira Pils.

Species from Yaku-shima.

Eulota submandarina var. magna Clausilia stereoma var. nugax Pils

Pils. Clausilia ptychocyma var. yaku-

Trochomorpha Gouldiana Pils. shimre Pils.

Sitala circumcincta var. elata Ennea Iwakawa var. yakushimai

(Gude). Pils.

Clausilia stereoma Pils. Diplommatina yakushinite Pils.

Yaku-shima is so for the northern limit for Trochomorpha.

There are in all 21 forms. One species is common to Yakushima

and Oshima ; four are varietal or subspecitic modifications of, or

identical with, Kiusiu and Nippon species, and twelve species with

six varieties are confined, so far as we know, to the two islands.

Most of the species have been described in the Proceedings of the

Academy of Natural Sciences, but the following remain to be char-

acterized :

Ganesella tanegashimce n. sp. Shell imperforate, depressed, with

convexly-conoid spire, rather- thin. Dead specimens, denuded of

the cuticle are white, becoming red-brown above, the inner 3^

64 THE NAUTILUS.

whorls of that color ; periphery encircled by a narrow red-brown

band, the peristome pale red-brown. Whorls 5-|, very slowly in-

creasing, moderately convex, the last rounded at the periphery,

rather flattened beneath, hardly impressed around the axis, slowly

descending in front. Aperture oblique, broadly lunate ; peristome

narrowly expanded, thickened within, reflexed and abruptly dilated

over and closing the umbilicus ; columella concave, bearing an in-

conspicuous, low, oblique, fold-like tooth. Alt. 21-22, diam. 28 mm.

Tane-ga-shima (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 689).

Only dead and somewhat weathered specimens were found ; but

what remains of the cuticle on the parietal wall is a moderately

bright yellow tint. The species is related to G. myomphala, and

most resembles the variety minor of Gude, from which it differs in

the smaller aperture, the columellar tooth, less impressed axial

region and higher spire. In this connection I may mention that a

species of Ganesella, G. Adelines, n. sp., has been sent from Oshima,

Mr. Hirase's no. 352. It is the shape of G. largillierti or somewhat

more pyramidal, but has a decidedly larger umbilicus than that

species. On a pinkish or pale yellow ground there are three blackish

bands, the peripheral united with that above, or with a reddish

space between, basal band wide, interior of the umbilicus and the

dilated columella very dark ; peristome well expanded. Alt. 26^,

diam. 25, to alt. 24, diam. 22^ mm.

Diplommatina yakusMmce n. sp. Shell similar to D. cassa but

more acutely tapering above. Whorls 5|, the last two of equal

diameter, last half whorl reduced. Sculpture of even, fine, low,

rather close, delicate stria? ; no spiral strire. Aperture subcircular,

the lip expanded, duplicate; columellar tooth blunt and strong;

palatal fold short, above the columella. Length 2.3, diam. 1.3 mm.

Yakushima (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 679).

D. tanegashimtz is a large shell, conspicuously different in sculp-

ture. D. yakushima is much smaller than any of the numerous

Japanese species of the same group. It resembles D. cassa most.

Besides its distribution in Hondo, D. cassa has now been sent from

five localities in the provinces Bungo, Higo and Satsuma, in Kiusiu.

It is evidently a species of wide distribution, though surpassed in this

respect by the tiny D. pusilla, which has been found in Hokkaido,

Hondo and Kiusiu, the latter island being represented by specimens

of the variety omiensis in Mr. Hirase's last sending

THE NAUTILUS. 65

Ennea Iwakawa var. yahtshima nov. Similar to E. Iwakawa of

Nippon and Kiusiu Islands in sculpture and aperture, but of a de-

cidedly broader, more swollen shape. Yakushima (Mr. Y. Hirase,

no. 680&, types; also

A NEW SPECIES OF STROPHITUS.

BY BRYANT WALKER.

Strophitus wrightianus, n. sr>. Tlute III.

Shell irregularly subrhomboidal, inflated, scarcely sub-solid,

nearly equilateral ; beaks very full and high, turned in over a slight

lunule; their sculpture consisting of a few strong ridges that run

nearly parallel with the growth lines ; anterior end rounded, elevated

above the line of the hinge superiorly and slightly cut away below ;

base line evenly curved ; posterior ridge angled, ending in a blunt

point below the median line of the shell ; dorsal slope subtruncate,

covered with strong, subconcentric, somewhat broken ridges extend-

ing from the posterior ridge to the margin; disk with light uneven

growth lines; epidermis almost jet black, lighter on the beaks, shin-

ing, with occasional indications of very light transverse sculpture

similar to that on the dorsal slope ; left valve with an irregular tooth

and a vestigeal one in front of it ; right valve with a roughened tooth

in front of the beaks ; laterals almost wanting ; beak cavities deep ;

anterior muscle scars distinct; posterior scars faint; nacre bluish

white, a little thicker in front.

Length 54 mm., height 38 mm., width 31^ mm.

A single specimen only of this fine species occurred in two barrels

of Unionidcz received from Messrs B. F. and G. H. King, collected

in the tributaries of the Flint river, Baker county, Ga. It differs

from all other known species in the strong ridges which cover the

dorsal slope. It seems to be most nearly related to S. tombigbeensis

Lea, and has the " obtruded anterior margin " characteristic of that

species.

Mr. C. T. Simpson, to whom the specimen was submitted for ex-

amination, and to whom I am indebted for assistance in preparing

the foregoing description, writes in reference to it : "I know of

nothing at all like it. In fact it is so different from anything that I

have seen or read of that I am at a loss to know just where to place

66 THE NAUTILUS.

it. Its general form, texture and color of epidermis inclines me to

believe that it is a Strophitus, related to S. tombigbeensis. I find

some vestiges of plication on one or two specimens of Strophitus in

our collection. The teeth of this are stronger than in any specimen

of that genus I have seen, but there is much variation in this matter."

I take great pleasure in naming this species after Mr. B. H.

Wright, who has done so much in recent years in developing our

knowledge of the Unionidse of the southern states.

NEW PISIDIA.

BY DR. V. STERKI.

The following Pisidia have been known as distinct species for sev-

eral years, and the names have been used in my own collection as

well as in identifying specimens sent for examination by many con-

chologists. So they should have been published long ago.

Pisidium offline n. sp. Rather large, well-inflated, slightly oblique,

beaks somewhat posterior, large and prominent in full-grown, broad

and quite low in young specimens, rounded or slightly flattened on

top ; superior and inferior margins moderately curved, posterior sub-

truncate, with slightly marked angles above and below, supero-

anterior forming one regular curve from the beaks to the anterior

end, which is low-situated and well-rounded ; surface distinctly and

somewhat irregularly striated, with some coarser lines of growth, dull

or somewhat shining ; color lighter or darker grayish horn to plum-

beous or brownish with a few irregular darker zones corresponding

with the lines of growth, and often with fine darker mottlings, usually

with a broad lighter zone along the margins ; the young are pale

horn or straw-colored ; shell moderately thick, nacre whitish, muscle

insertions little ; hinge rather stout, plate rather broad ; cardinal

teeth long, not very strong, the right one curved, its free edge often

indented in the middle, its posterior end somewhat thicker, with a

fine groove, the left anterior tooth curved, the posterior slightly so,

oblique, rather behind the anterior, each covering the other for half

their lengths ; lateral teeth stout, rather long, their cusps short and

somewhat pointed, the outer ones in the right valve of good size;

ligament rather long and stout.

Size : Long. 6, alt. 5, diam. 4 mill, (average).

THE NAUTILUS. 67

Long. 7, alt. G, diam. 4.7 mill.

Long. 4.6, alt. 3.8, diam. 2.8 mill, (small, northern form).

Habitat : Great Lake Region, Michigan to New York • also Min-

nesota, Illinois and Ohio (Ohio river drainage). It seems to prefer

quiet water, small lakes and slow-running rivers.

Pisidiiim affine is related with nov-eboracense Pr. and with sargenti

St. (See the following sp.) From the former, it differs by the fol-

lowing characters : it averages larger, its beaks are larger, broader,

a,3 especially noticeable in the young, the whole muscle is more full,

the hinge margin is less curved, the supero-anterior, as mentioned,

forms one long, unbroken curve, the anterior part is larger, the end

situated nearer the " base " and more rounded. P. nov-eboracense

retains its light, yellowish horn color, and the surface is rather shin-

ing, while older specimens of affine usually are light to dark grayish,

and the surface is more dull.

Our species is somewhat variable. Specimens from Michigan,

especially Perch Lake,1 Reed Lake, some other small lakes, and from

the Grand River at Grand Rapids are regarded as typical, and ex-

amples from the Little Lakes near Mohawk, N. Y., are rather the

same. In northern Michigan, e. #., in Mountain Lake, River Rouge,

Carp Lake, there is a smaller form, of darker color but typical shape,

collected by Mr. Bryant Walker, and the same was found in Clear-

water Lake, Minnesota, by Mr. H. E. Sargenl. A somewhat higher

form, with a slightly marked angle at the scutellum, is known from

Minnesota, Michigan, Buffalo, N. Y. (Miss E. J. Letson), and Meyer's

Lake, near Canton, Ohio (the writer). The latter has a straighter

striation and a somewhat waxy appearance of the surface.

Whoever has carefully studied and compared a few suites of spe-

cimens at all stages of growth, will always recognize the present

species, as the young and half-grown are quite characteristic, while

some full-grown examples may present similarities with P. nov-

eboracense and sargenti. All these species are decidedly variable,

in several directions, and so it takes a good deal of material and

some experience in order to ascertain their claims for specific dis-

tinction, and to recognize aberrant and poorly developed forms. The

present one being a '' critical " species, I trust the somewhat lengthy

expose on it will be excused.

Pisidiiim sargenti n. sp. Mussel of medium size, somewhat oblique,

1 Collected in large numbers by Dr. Kirkland.

68 THE NAUTILUS.

well inflated; beaks not much posterior, rounded or slightly flattened

on top, well prominent over the hinge margin ; the latter slightly

curved in the adult, almost straight in the young and half-grown,

with projecting, not or hardly rounded angles at the scutum and

scutellum, which are slightly to well marked, narrow; posterior mar-

gin subtruncate above, passing into the well rounded inferior with

an uninterrupted curve, or with a slightly marked, rounded angle,

more so in the young; supero-anterior margin little to moderately

curved, sloping from the projecting angle at the scutellum to the

rounded anterior end ; surface regularly and rather coarsely striated,

dull, rarely somewhat shining in older specimens ; epiconch thin and

often worn off, pale horn-colored in the young, lighter to darker

grayish to brownish in older specimens, usually with a lighter zone

along the margins; shell moderately thick, nacre glassy, colorless to

white or bluish, muscle insertions distinct; hinge stout, plate rather

broad, cardinal teeth well formed, short, the right one rather strongly

curved, its posterior end thickened and grooved, the left anterior

angular, stout, the posterior small, oblique ; lateral teeth rather short,

stout, their cusps short, pointed, the outer ones in the right valve

well formed ; ligament short, strong.

Size: long. 5, alt. 4.4, diam. 3.4 mill.

Habitat: New York to Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota,

rather common in creeks, rivers and small lakes.

Well formed specimens are easily recognizad by the oblique shape,

the rather short, slightly curved hinge margin with the projecting

angles at both ends, the regular striation and the dull, often roughish

appearance of the surface ; by the latter features it may be discerned

from some forms of P. scutellatum which are of similar shape ; but it

is more nearly related to P. nov-eboracense and affine ; and some full-

grown, well-inflated specimens, in which the scutar and scutellar

angles are sometimes less marked, might be mistaken for one or the

other. But a lot of mussels at different stages of growth are always

recognizable at once ; the projecting angles, especially marked in

half-grown specimens, in connection with the peculiarly dull surface

(like in "typical" P. compressum and in P. kirklandi) are well

marked characters, and so is the color, which turns to grayish while

the mussels are much younger and smaller than in P. affine. In the

latter species, the hinge-teeth, especially the cardinals, are longer

and finer.

THE NAUTILUS. 69

The present species is named after Mr. H. E. Sargent, who has

assiduously collected small mollusca, and has secured some good lots

of this Pisidium.

THE AMEEICAN PHYSJE.

BY O. A. CRANDALL, SEDALIA, MO.

Physa forsheyii Lea.

Sub-species Physa forsheyii grosvenorii Lea.

This species was discovered near Ruterville, Texas, in 1864. The

description calls for six whorls, but I have examined cotypes in the

Academy of Sciences in Philadelphia, and nearly a hundred exam-

ples from eight different localities, and have been unable to find a

single one having more than five, so I concluded that five is the

proper number.

This is a small shell, not exceeding f inch in length, and dis-

tinguished by its sub-fusiform shape, exserted spire, deeply impressed

sutures, smooth but not shining surface. Nearly all the adults are

covered with microscopic transverse strige, which give the surface a

dull appearance. Bi-annuan.

Physa grosvenorii Lea, also described in 1864, belongs here as a

variety. I have collected it in many different places, and have no

hesitancy in referring it to this species. The only difference I can

discover between this and P. forsheyii is that it is smaller, shorter, a

little more inflated, more robust, and of a darker color. Some of the

young shells are highly polished, but the adults have the same dull

appearance as the species form, and are dark yellowish horn-color.

It is a very pretty shell, uniform in size, color and general outline.

In the middle of January I found some of these little shells under

some leaves in a spring brook near Sedalia, Mo., where they hiber-

nated for the winter. The aperture, instead of being closed by a film

as in land shells, was filled with dirt and sand, mixed with the viscid

exudations from the body, forming a cement one-eighth inch thick,

which I found quite difficult to remove without injury to the shell.

The species form is distributed over Texas and Louisana, but

farther north, through Arkansas, Indian Territory, Southern Kansas

and Missouri, as far north as the central part of the state, it takes

the form of P. grosvenorii.

Forms : Physa whitei, Lea.

70 THE NAUTILUS.

Physa pomilia Conrad.

This species was first described by Conrad in 1834 from forms

taken from Random's Creek, Claiborne Co., Ala., and was again

described in 1864 by Lea under the name of P. showalteri. They

are both the same species, but Lea's description is the most correct,

and was substituted by Tryon for that of Conrad. It is exclusively

a southern species, its habitat being the country lying south of

Kentucky and east of the Mississippi River. An annuan. Very

similar forms have been sent to me from Grand Rapids, Mich., as P.

showalteri, but I feel confident that they are a modified form of P.

anatina Lea.

Physa microstoma Haldenian.

This species was described from a single specimen found in Ken-

tucky in 1840, and has been reported by Rhodes from several places

in that state. Its principal character is the two obtuse teeth on

the columella, but the other characters are sufficient to found a spe-

cies upon. Some time ago I received from Mrs. Geo. Andrews, of

Knoxville, Tenn., several lots of shells collected in East Tennessee,

a large part of which bear the description of this species except the

teeth. It is a thick heavy elliptical shell with four to -five whorls

not convex, with a continuous peristome, and the labium much

thickened anteriorly. The columella is thick and twisted so that it

forms a single protuberance somewhat like the tooth-like callus on

the columella of Sulimulus alternatus Say. The varicose bands are

white on the outside and reddish-chestnut on the inside.

I do not hesitate to refer the shells sent to me from Tennessee to

this species.

Physa crocata Lea. This is a closely allied form, described in

1864 from specimens taken in Walker Co., Georgia. It is a smaller

and much lighter shell. In some specimens the spire is a little more

exserted, and the twist in the columella not so marked. In form and

color, which is light brownish-ochraceous, they are the same. Both

are bi-annuans. Length not exceeding ^ inch.

Habitat: Kentucky, Tennessee, northern Georgia and Alabama.

Physa distorta Haldeman.

Some time ago I received from Mr. H. E. Sargent twenty little

shells collected near Woodville, Ala., which I refer to this species.

The largest is ten mm. in length and six in diameter ; the greatest

diameter being near the shoulder. Its color is very light yellowish-

gray, whorls three, very convex, sutures very deep. Spire elevated,

THE NAUTILCS. 71

first and second whorls small and the last one very large, forming a

rounded shoulder; so much larger, that in some of them the spire

appears to rise like a cone from an expanded surface. Not umbili-

cated. Aperture oval, columella scarcely folded, outer lip thickened

on sub-margin with a very pale yellowish-red callus. It corresponds

with Haldeman's description except the umbilicus.

This species was described in 1842, and so far as I can learn, has

not been reported since.

DOUBTFUL SPECIES.

Physafontana Halderaan, 1841, = young P. heterostropha Say.

P. subarata Menke, not sufficiently described tor recognition.

P. parva Lea, 1864, probably young P, anatina Lea.

P. altonensis Lea, 18G4, an abnormal form of P. gyrina Say de-

scribed from a single shell, and not heard of since.

P. inflata Lea described many years ago, and not reported since.

P. solida Philippi. This species was described many years ago

from forms found at New Orleans, but I have been unable to procure

any information regarding it. It is a very marked species, and it

seems that it should have been reported many times. The name is

pre-occupied, and should it ever be re-discovered, it will have to be

given a new name.

P. tenuissitna Lea, 1864. This is a very distinct species if it

exists. It was described from a single dead shell found at Alexan-

dria, La. I have been unable to get any information regarding it.

I have in my collection a single shell sent to me from Hudson, Ohio,

that bears this description, but until others are reported, it had better

stand in the doubtful list.

P. globosa Haldeman, 1843. Like the two last, I have been

unable to learn anything about this species, except the description

given by Binney. It has been suggested that it is the same as P.

brevispira Lea. I do not concur in this opinion. The form is very

much the same, but this is a southern species, and these seldom get as

far north as the Great Lakes without materially modifying the form.

Besides if it was, it would be found in intervening territory, which

does not seem to be the case.

GENERAL NOTES.

LUCAPINA CRENULATA (SowERBv). — On Aug. 3, at La Jolla,

Cal., Miss Vashti Thomas was so fortunate as to find a living speci-

men of this gigantic keyhole limpet, which she brought to me for

examination. As the published descriptions of the animal state it to

72 THE NAUTILUS.

be " black," and lack detail, the following notes from life may be

useful :

Mantle about 20 cm. long, rather light olive brown, minutely

reticulated with black, and blotched in an irregular but radiate

manner with dark brown, the blotches mostly around the shell

aperture. Edge of mantle black. Shell aperture 43 mm. long, 26

broad. Under side of mantle yellowish-white ; tentacles and adja-

cent parts black ; mouth light orange. Foot 65 mm. broad, sole

deep orange ; sides of foot dark olive brown, edge black, the black

grading into the brown. Epipodial ridge darkened, with round

white spots, the lower edge crenulated. Upper surface of shell ex-

posed by mantle aperture, flesh colored, with radiating riblets, 13 in

10 mm. measured transversely. Aperture in shell oval, 18 mm.

long, 13 broad; portion of animal filling shell-aperture pitch-black.

T. D. A. COCKERELL.

NAVANAX INERMIS (COOPER) — During July this interesting

animal was not uncommon on mud flats in San Pedro harbor, Cali-

fornia. As the published descriptions are somewhat inadequate, the

following notes from life are offered :

Dark brown to black, minutely lineolate above with pale yellow

lines ; anterior margin of head-shield narrowly yellow or orange ; in

a young example a yellow line, on which are three blue spots, runs

back from each lateral angle. Epipodial flaps narrowly margined

with orange, next to which is a row of bright blue spots. Beneath

the animal is marked with a number of orange streaks or elongated

spots, giving way to light yellow lines on the sides. A pink copepod

lives in numbers under the epipodial flaps.

The creature is quite variable, and at first I thought there were

two species, but with sufficient material all are seen to be specifically

identical.

I may as well record Aglaja purpurea (Bergh) frqm San Pedro.

Dr. W. R. Coe gave me one which he found on July 20. — T. D. A.

COCKERELL.

EPIPHRAGMOPHORA KELLETII, ON SANTA CATALINA ISLAND —

" We found the first ones at the Canyon back of Avelon, where we

found the E. gabbi. In this locality there are only scattering shells

and we were greatly disappointed. But we made a trip to the Isth-

mus and there we found them in quantities. They live on and under

the cactus, and I have found them nowhere else. This is their

hybernating season of course, and they are all asleep. Sometimes a

dozen on one leaf, old and young. I expected to find them on the

fresh growing cactus leaves, but instead of that they are on the old

dead leaves, and under piles of dead leaves. They do not seem to

require moisture. I think we have found as fine specimens as are to

be found anywhere. — MRS. E. M. GAYLORD, July 19, 1901.

THE NAUTILUS. XV.

PLATE IV.

QUADRULA LANANENSIS FRIERSON.

THE NAUTILUS.

VOL. XV. NOVEMBER, 19O1. No. 7.

A NEW LAND OPERCULATE FROM HAITI.

0. T. SIMPSON AND J. B. HENDERSON, JR.

CERATODISCUS, nov. gen.

Shell almost strictly discoidal ; spire very slightly raised ; whorls

few, nearly round, closely coiled except the last third of the outer

one, which leaves the penultimate whorl at a tangent and has a

groove on its inner side ; aperture nearly circular, scarcely thickened

or reflexed ; surface with finely reticulated sculpture ; epidermis cor-

neous. Operculum unknown. Probably one of the Cyclotidas.

CERATODISCUS SOLUTDS, n. sp. PI. V, figs. 1, 2.

Shell small, planorboid, the large nucleus slightly raised, but not

elevated to the level of the last whorl; whorls three, nearly round,

being a little wider and flatter above than below, the first two and

two-thirds in contact and having a deep suture above and below, the

last third of the outer whorl solute, leaving the penultimate whorl at

a tangent, the free part very slightly deflexed ; on the inner side of

the uncoiled part of the shell, close to the penultimate whorl, there is

generally a well-marked groove ; surface with close, delicate incre-

mental striaj which are crossed by microscopic threads that run par-

allel with the direction of the whorls ; aperture nearly circular, com-

pressed a little on the inner side ; peristome scarcely thickened or

reflexed; epidermis greenish -yellow. Height 1.5, greatest diameter

5, diameter at the point where the last whorl becomes free 4 mm.

Seven dead specimens were found on the mountain of La Ferriere,

in northern Haiti, at an elevation of perhaps two thousand feet, in a

74 THE NAUTILUS.

talus of red clay by the road side. These were the result of an hour's

search, and it is greatly to be regretted that no specimens were found

with the operculum. When taken they were considerably incrusted

with earthy matter.

A TEXAS OIL WELL FOSSIL.

BY T. H. ALDRICH.

Some months since, Dr. Wm. B. Phillips, Director of the Texas

Mineral Survey, sent me a few fossils from Beaumont, Texas, ob-

tained at a depth of 390 feet in an oil well

on Spindle Top Hill. Among them was a

new species of Nassa, which has been de-

scribed in Bulletin No. 1 of the University

of Texas, Mineral Survey, July, 1901. De-

scription is herewith repeated, and a figure

added.

NASSA BEAUMONTEN8IS Aldf.

" Shell cancellated, whorls seven, the first two smooth, the others

with two strongly nodular transverse lines, except the body whorl,

which has six or seven. Aperture with both outer and inner lip

dentate, canal short. Length 8 mm., breadth 4 mm. This species

resembles Nassa bidentata Emmons, but is much more strongly nodu-

lar and has but two transverse or spiral ribs, and also possesses one

more whorl. The shell resembles a species of Phos, externally."

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW UNIO FROM MISSOURI.

BY WM. A. MARSH, ALEDO, MERCEK CO., ILLINOIS.

Pleurobema missouriensis, new species.

Shell smooth, obliquely triangular, rounded before, subbiangular

behind, moderately thick, very much thicker anteriorly, sides some-

what flattened, beaks wide, solid, incurved, ligament long, light

brown, epidermis light brown, without rays, growth lines numerous,

not raised, umbonal slope wide and rather flat, posterior slope wide,

THE NAUTILUS. 75

flattened, with two dark inconspicuous lines running from beaks to

posterior margin, beak sculpture unknown ; cardinal teetli rather

long and solid, depressed, disposed to be double in both valves, cor-

rugate. Lateral teeth straight, oblique, corrugate. Anterior cicatri-

ces distinct, deep. Posterior cicatrices distinct and well impressed,

shell cavity wide and deep, nacre white.

Habitat, near Poplar Bluff, Black River, Butler Co., Missouri.

I know of no described species which this closely resembles ; in

outline it is perhaps nearest to U. Bigbyensis, Lea, but differs in

every other respect. Specimens of Bigbyensis from Flint River,

Ala., attain twice the size of this shell. Bigbyensis is nearly always

covered with green rays. This shell is rayless. It also has higher

and more massive beaks, is more equilateral and differs entirely in

the color of epidermis, teeth, etc. The color of the epidermis and

character of the beaks is more like U. Hartmanianus, Lea, but that

shell has very much higher beaks, more swollen and pointed, and is

in every respect a more solid shell.

Four specimens of this shell from quite young to adult have been

in my collection for a number of years, having been collected by the

late Ellwood Pleas, of Ind. I never could place them with any

known species, but have kept them separate, hoping that sooner or

later I might obtain others like them, but having failed to obtain

others, I now describe them.

A NEW UNIO FEOM TEXAS.

BY L. S. FRIERSON.

Quadrula lananensis, n. sp. Plate IV.

Shell quadrate to triangular, nearly equilateral, anterior margin

rounded. Base round in front, nearly straight behind. Posterior

oblique, biangular, slightly emarginate. Dorsum curved, smooth,

nearly polished above, striate below and upon posterior slope. Lines

of growth distinct and ill-defined. Dark reddish-brown, sometimes

a little olive, obscurely radiate. Beaks eroded, umbos low, some-

what inflated. Anterior umbonal slope rounded. Lateral slope flat-

tened. Posterior ridge angular near the beaks, becoming obsolete

near the base. Ligament brown, smooth, medium-sized.

76 THE NAUTILUS.

Length 3.2, height 2.3, diameter 1.5 inches.

Shell of medium thickness, thinner behind. Teeth double in left

valve, single in right. Laterals rather thin, nearly straight. Car-

dinals stumpy. Muscle scars well marked ; generally separate, some-

times confluent. Pallial line distinct in front, less so behind. Cavity

of shell dish-like ; of the beaks deep and full.

Sometimes the dorsal muscle scars are situated in the extreme end

of the beak cavity, but generally upon the base of cardinal and dor-

sal plate. Nacre rose-color, with blotches of yellow surrounded by

brown. Cavity nearly always studded with numerous pearly excres-

cences.

Flesh of animal whitish or salmon-colored exteriorly, but shows

scarlet when cut. Eggs carried in all four gills, very red, and the

gravid animal thus presents a striking appearance.

Habitat : Lanana and Banita Creeks, near Nacogdoches, Texas.

About 200 specimens were taken on July 10, 1901, by Messrs. Askew,

Strode and Frierson.

Examples may be seen in their cabinets, and in the U. S. National

Museum and Academy of Natural Sciences, where the types are

deposited.

Q. lananensis is closely allied to Q. askewii Marsh, both by its con-

chological and anatomical characteristics. It may be differentiated

from that shell by being longer, more compressed, more oblique, and

its shell is never so inflated and thickened in front as Askewii, and

not so acutely angled on the posterior ridge.

Internally, lananensis is rose-colored nearly invariably, and the

color is uniformly spread over its surface. Askewii is mostly white,

and when colored (pink), the color is almost always confined exterior

to the pallial line.

Finally, Q. Askewii never possesses those peculiar pearly excre-

scences which seem to belong to lananensis. This species was col-

lected many years ago at the type locality by Mr. H. G. Askew. But

that gentlemen's innate modesty forbade his describing the shell, and

he generously gave to me this honor.

Lananensis is the shell quoted as having been found by Mr. Askew

in the Lanana Creek, in the " Contributions to the Natural History

of Texas" (page 321), by Mr. J. A. Singley, and called by him U.

cerinus Conrad. Its relationship to this abundant Louisiana shell is

so remote, however, that it is not worth while to point out their dif-

ferences.

THE NAUTILUS. 77

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE UNIONIDAE.

BY CIIAS. T. SIMPSON.

In the August and September numbers of the Nautilus, Dr. von

Ihering takes exception to the classification of the Unionidse pro-

posed by me in the Synopsis, claiming that it is based essentially on

the marsupia.

He has apparently overlooked the fact that it is founded not

merely on the characters of the marsupia, but on the more obvious

anatomical characters, as well as those of the shell and the beaks.

It agrees with what I believe to be the development of the family from

the earliest and simplest forms to the latest and most highly organ-

ized.

So far as the classification of the Diplodontinse is concerned we

essentially agree. This I divided into two supergeneric groups

founded on characters of the beak sculpture and shell, and not on

those of the marsupia. Von Ihering agrees with me that the earliest

uniones probably had radial beak sculpture. I have examined the

animals of a large number of the South American and Australasian

uniones and in all cases where they were gravid the embryos filled

the inner gills alone, forming a smooth pad, the ovisacs not being

separated by sulci. I have examined a few specimens of the forms

with zigzag radial beak sculpture (Rosanoramphus), and found in

the gravid ones that the marsupia filled the inner gills only. It may

be, and probably is the case, that in rare instances among the

Hyrianje there are a few embryos in the outer gills. I know of no

special characters employed in the classification of large groups

which do not vary somewhat, but I believe it still to be a fact that

in the Hyrianse the embryos are almost invariably contained in the

inner gills only, that in the Unioninse they are found in the outer, or

(in the Tetragence) all four of the gills.

In the South American and Australasian Uniones we have the

radial beak sculpture with simple shells and the embryos contained

within the inner gills, the ovisacs not being separated by any ex-

ternal markings. I believe that these are the simplest and lowest

forms of Unione life, that they have descended almost unchanged

from the earliest forms of the family. The fact that they occupy the

Southern Hemisphere exclusively while the Unioninae, containing

78 THE NAUTILUS.

the more highly developed forms, belong entirely in the Northern

Hemisphere, would indicate this. I consider the radial beak sculp-

ture a character belonging to the older and simpler forms; the con-

centric beak sculpture belongs to the more recent and higher forms.

The zigzag radial sculpture of the group Rosanoramphus is a move

in the direction of concentric sculpture, hence of a higher order than

that which is strictly radial.

The Tetragenae is a transition group. Its young are contained in

all four of its gills, filling them throughout, though they are more

numerous as a rule in the outer than in the inner, and this fact to-

gether with the general character of the shells and the beak sculp-

ture, which is generally more nearly concentric than radial, led me

to place these forms in the Unioninoe rather than to make a separate

sub-family for them. In every case where 1 have placed a form in this

group the shell has deep beak cavites. In the genus Pleurobema,

which seems to be the next step in the way of development, while

the shells are generally rather short, solid and inflated as in Quad-

rula, the beak cavities are invariably shallow, and in all cases that

I have examined the outer gills only contain embryos. Here we

have characters of the marsupia agreeing with those of the shells.

Care must be taken in the examination of the marsupia or appear-

ances may lead to wrong conclusions. According to von Ihering,

Sterki has found Quadrula heros with only the hinder part of the

outer gills filled with embryos. I have seen the same thing in other

Quadrulas. I have seen in some of the Unionidse the front part of

the gills rilled with embryos while all the rest was empty, and in a

number of cases a few ovisacs in the middle or in various parts of

the gills entirely empty, while the rest were full, or a few rilled while

all the rest were empty. In such cases the empty ones had simply

been discharged, the full ones had not. In all the forms which I

have mentioned so far the marsupia fill the entire gills and are pad-

like, that is, the ovisacs are not marked out separately by sulci.

Advancing a little in the development of the family we find a

number of aberrant forms confined to the Mississippi and Gulf drain-

ages of the United States. Each group has certain characters of the

shells which we may call generic, though they are not striking.

But they are all very wonderful in the character of their marsupia.

In such groups as Ptychobranchus, Cyprogenia and Strophitus, the

marsupia are astonishing, and in all of them the ovasacs are dis-

tinctly marked.

THE NAUTILUS. 79

To this point, proceeding upward in the scale of development, the

shells of males and females are essentially alike. It is true that

there is some variation in their forms, but it is equally true that some-

what elongated specimens with no inflation at the post-basal part of

the shell may be females, while shorter specimens that are full post-

basally may be males. I do not think there is any strict dimorphism

up to this point. In many cases among these lower forms I have

assorted my material before opening it, placing in one lot those I

would naturally suppose were males, and in another the presumed

females, and on opening the shells and examining the animals I

always found I was as likely to be wrong as right. In some groups,

notably Nodularid and Lamellidens, all the shells of certain species

are inflated at the post-basal region.

Above this point the shells begin to be regularly dimorphic.

They are less regularly so in Obovaria, Medionidus, some forms of

Nephronaias and Plagiola ; they are nearly always dimorphic in

Lampsilis and Truncilla. The shells of male and female are always

so different that the merest tyro could without difficulty separate

them.

Von Ihering believes that the Unio tuberculatus of Barnes is nearly

related to the U. forsheyi and U. speciosus of Lea. I am surprised

at such an opinion, because, while the shells of the two last-mentioned

forms are alike in male and female, those of the former are strictly

and remarkably dimorphic, that of the female being more compressed

and ending posteriorly in a wide, rounded wing. That of the male

is more inflated, is truncate behind, and has no wing at all. In the

animal of the female there is a wide, rounded flap of the mantle

which fills this peculiar extension of the shell, differing somewhat

from that of any other that I know of.

Now among all these higher forms comprised in the group Hetero-

gena there is a radical difference in the marsupia. Wherever I have

been able to examine them, they occupy only the posterior portion of

the outer (/ills in the form of distinctly-marked ovisacs. Each ovisac

when filled is rounded below. The higher the form ranks, the more

markedly is the marsupium swollen and separated from the rest of the

gill, and the more distinctly is the female shell swollen in the post basal

region to correspond with it. In some forms of Plagiola and Medioni-

dus there is little difference between male and female shells. In such

cases the marsupium, though having the characteristic ovisacs, is but

80 THE NAUTILUS.

slightly fuller than the rest of the gill. In the more highly organized

species of Lampsi/is, both the shell of the female and the marsupia

are decidedly produced behind. In Truncilla, which I regard as the

highest manifestation of Unione life, the marsupium is almost abso-

lutely separated from the rest of the gill, and when full, assumes the

shape of a great kidney, projecting below the rest of the branchiae.

The great flap of the mantle of the female is very peculiar, being

double or having a strong over-hanging ridge inside. In many of

the shells of this genus the area corresponding with and covering the

marsupium is greatly swollen, is thin, has a different texture from

the remainder, is gaping and distinctly toothed.

I have never been able to examine a gravid female of the Unio

tuberculatus of Barnes, hence I cannot give anything more than a

guess as to the character of its marsupium, though from some ma-

terial lately seen, in which the ovisacs appeared to have just been

emptied, I am inclined to believe that the outer gills are filled

throughout with embryos, forming well-marked ovisacs.

Now these remarkable characters of a distinctly separated marsu-

pium occupying only the hinder part of the outer gills, and a corre-

sponding swelling of the female shell to receive it, the fact that the

more distinct and swollen the marsupium is the more pronounced is

the swelling of the shell, may be merely the work of chance ; they

may stand for nothing whatever in the way of rank or development

among our Uniones, but it does not seem so to me. All the changes

of shell and marsupium which I have indicated seem to me to be

steps in the development of the family from the lowest, simplest and

oldest forms to the highest, most complex and most recent.

I need not occupy space with a discussion on the validity or proper

determination of species. Such questions are after all largely matr

ters of personal judgment, and in this branch of the work I have

endeavored to do the best I possibly could with the material I have

been permitted to examine.

Dr. von Ihering changes the subfamilies UnioninEe and Diplodon-

tinse into families, and divides the former into three sub-families,

Unionidse, Quadrulina? and Lampsilinie. He gives no characters for

these sub-families, and I am totally at a loss to know on what he

would found them. Certainly he cannot establish them on beak

sculpture, for in nearly all the species this is more or less concentric,

and it seems to me does not offer distinctions sufficiently important

to be used as a basis for founding sub-families.

THE NAUTILUS. 81

This classification is not founded on characters of the marsupia,

for he has placed in Quadrulinre groups in which the embryos occupy-

all four of the gills, others in which they fill only the outer gills, and

still others where they are confined to the hinder or the median part

of the outer gills. Besides, he distinctly states on page 39 that a

systematic arrangement of the marsupia does not coincide with a

natural arrangement of the family.

Nor do I see how such an arrangement can be based on shell char-

acters. Obovaria, which is placed with Quadrula, has more or less

perfectly developed dimorphism in the shells. In 0. ellipsis the

female shells are almost always swollen at the posterior base, and the

same is the case with 0. lens and 0. circt/lus, while in 0. castaneus the

male and female shells are as distinct as in any species of Lampsilis.

Ptychobranchus, with its wonderfully folded marsupium occupying

the entire outer gills, with the shells of male and female alike, he

places in the genus Lampsilis. Why he does so I do not know, as

the group differs most decidedly from Lampsilis in the characters of

shell, marsupium and animal.

On the other hand, he places Truncilla personuta Say, T. perplexa

Lea, and T. foliata Hild., in the genus Quadrula! To me such an

arrangement is absolutely astonishing ! The male shell of the first-

named species is somewhat triangular, and does resemble a Quadrula

somewhat. The female shell is very different, being quadrate and

having a decided, gaping, toothed post-basal swelling. In T. per-

plexa the female shell has a great rounded post-basal swelling, which

differs in thickness, texture and color from the rest of the shell. I

do not think there is a species known in Avhich the differences be-

tween the male and female shells are so great as they are in T.

foliata. In the male shell at the place where there is a compressed,

radial, central area the outline of the female is carried down into an

enormous and elongated, rounded wing. That these should belong

in a genus in which the shells of male and female are alike and from

which the animal and marsupium so widely differ, is beyond my com-

prehension ! If such an arrangement is a natural one then I am sure

that all the years I have spent in patiently and lovingly studying the

Naiades have been absolutely wasted. It seems to me that we might

just as well go back to the arrangement temporarily adopted by Dr.

Lea, of grouping together in one lot those forms which have a wing,

and in another those which have none, and subdividing these groups

into small ones founded on form and sculpture of the shell.

82 THE NAUTILUS.

I have no doubt that a careful histological study of the branchiae

and perhaps other parts of the animals of the Unionidfe will furnish

additional characters for classification. But it will be many years

before this can be done, and when it is, I feel sure that the results of

such study will fully agree with the characters of the shells and mar-

supia.

HOW POTAMIDES (CERETHIDEA) CALIFORNIA HALD. TRAVELS.

BY MRS. M. BURTON WILLIAMSON.

In traveling over the mud-flats, Cerethidea caUfornica Hald. leaves

zigzag marks upon the sandy mud. These lines are made by the

apical whorls of the shell as it is dragged forward, or sideways. How

.does the animal crawl ? It appears to move forward by the contrac-

tion of the foot only, but my observations have led me to the conclu-

sion that the foot movement is somewhat secondary. The movement

of this tapering shell is one requiring considerable muscular strength.

This is very apparent. In order to study the mode of travel of this

species, a specimen was studied as it traveled up the sides of a glass

jar of sea-water, and this and other specimens were studied for sev-

eral hours. The conclusion reached was, that first there was a strong

muscular movement forward, then the foot advanced. The Cerethidea

pushes its head forward while the tentacles are expanded to their full

extent, the body whorl is raised with an effort, then the shell is pro-

pelled forward before the foot advances. Immediately, no time is lost,

the foot is spread out its full capacity and drawn forward. This is

immediately followed by a contraction of the foot in the posterior

part, then the head is again advanced. The strength of the animal

seems to be concentrated in the movement of the body-whorl as it is

raised up and forward. Of course all these movements are rapid, so

that it requires close observation to see that all movements are not

simultaneous, or at least which is secondary. A homely illustration

may be used to make this movement plainer. When a man attempts

to step upon a ladder with a hod full of bricks, or plaster, his first

movement is apt to be a hunching of the shoulders — the weight being

THE NAUTILUS.

here — then the step forward, or upward, follows. The movement of

the body-whorl reminded me of this hunching of the shoulders of

workmen when extra weight was to be borne by them.

GENERAL NOTES.

GONIOBASIS IN MASSACHUSETTS — A few years ago the Rev.

Geo. D. Reid found Goniobosis virginica at Deep River, Connecticut.

That was, 1 think, the first instance of that species being found in

New England. On October 1st, while riding the wheel from Spring-

field to Hartford, I examined the Connecticut River for a few

minutes and found the same species in the town of Agawam, Mass.,

at a spot some three miles from Springfield. This establishes the

species in Massachusetts, and no doubt it will be found farther north

in the same river HENRY W. WINKLEY, Branford, Conn.

TRUNCATELLA ON GUADALUPE ISLAND — Specimens of this

genus were collected by Mr. R. E. Snodgrass, in November, 1899,

for the first time on any of the islands off Lower California. They

resemble T. stimpsoni Stearns, but differ in being stouter with less

convex whorls, and of a pale red color. Length 6, diam. 2^ mm.

This form may be called T. stimpsoni yuadalupensis, — H. A. PILSBRY.

CITRINA Gray — Any one interested in the geographical

distribution of Cypragidse will be pleased to learn that the true

Cypr&a citrina Gray, has been rediscovered on the beach at Fort

Dauphin, S. Madagascar. The old authors have recorded the species

from Madagascar, but some more recent ones gave Australian locali-

ties as the habitat of this scarce cowry, and supposed there was some

error about the existence of the species on the shores of Madagascar.

As there may be no doubt whatever about this and about the identi-

fication of the specimens, Cyprcea citrina must really belong to the

fauna of Australia as well as to the fauna of Madagascar. It some-

what recalls the far more common C. helvola, but the teeth are totally

different. The color itself, although similar, is not quite the same —

C. F. ANCEY.

84 THE NAUTILUS.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

CATALOGUE OF THE MARINE INVERTEBRATES OF EASTERN

CANADA. By J. F. WHITEAVES, Geol. Survey of Canada, 1901. —

This is a very useful catalogue, and gives for the first time a concise

record of our present knowledge of the Marine Invertebrates of East-

ern Canada. The work contains 271 pages, of which 98 are devoted

to the raollusca, 100 species of Pelecypoda, 5 Scaphopoda, 166 Gas-

teropoda (including 8 Polyplacophora), and 13 Cephalopoda are listed,

with ample notes on their geographical and geological distribution

and bathymetrical range.

GUIDE TO THE GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF NIAGARA

FALLS AND VICINITY. By A. W. GRABAU (Bull. Buffalo Soc.

Nat. Sci., VII., No. 1, 1901). The Buffalo Society of Natural

Science has appropriately signalized the Exposition year by issuing

a volume bearing the above title, containing a full and readable

account of the local geology and paleontology. On account of its

situation, the geology of Niagara is of course of far greater than local

interest, since the intensely interesting and complex history of the

Great Lakes is involved, so that the mass of data presented deals

with subjects of wide interest. It is suitably illustrated with excel-

lent maps and views. The paleontological part consists of an un-

technical account of the fossils of the region, properly illustrated by

good figures.

Chapter V., by Miss Elizabeth J. Letson, describes the post-

pliocene fossils of the Niagara River gravels, and dealing with species

still existing has special interest for conchologists. Some 17 species

of Gastropoda and 14 Pelecypoda are discussed and illustrated.

Among the more notable species may be mentioned the carimate

form of Goniobasis livescens var. niayarensis, which reproduces the

contour of Anculosa carimata ; Amnicola letsoni Walker, an appar-

ently extinct species ; some peculiar forms of Limncea desidiosa and

catascopitim, and a series of Unionidce, very interesting to the student

of geographic distribution : — Lampsilis rectus, ellipsiformis, Unioyib-

bosits, Quadrula solida and coccinea — forms speaking clearly of a

former connection between the Great Lakes and Mississippi drain-

ages. All of the species are illustrated with original figures. The

work is well done, and cannot but prove useful for many years to

come.

THE NAUTILUS, XV.

PLATE

1, -2. Ceratocliscus solutus H. & S. 5. Ctenopoma bydii Weinl.

3. 4. Cerion marnioratum Pfr. <>. C'hoiidropoma hjalmarsoni Tfr.

THE NAUTILUS.

VOL. XV. DECEMBER, 19O1. No. 8.

LAND SHELLS OF FORTUNE ISLAND, BAHAMAS.

BY J. B. HENDERSON, JR.

Fortune Island is one of the Bahamas belonging to the Crooked

or Long Island group, and which is separated from the more westerly

groups by a deep arm of the sea. Geologically it is in every respect

similar to the other Bahamas. The little island is but four or five

miles long and from one to one and one-half miles in width, with an

elevation scarcely exceeding thirty feet. Its surface is rough with

flat fragments of " eolian " limestone, and the entire island is cov-

ered by a dingy-colored scrub growth of trees and shrubs. A few

clumps of graceful palms scattered here and there relieve somewhat,

the monotony of the dreary aspect. A wide beach of silvery coral

sand encircles the island, glittering like a mirror by day and superbly

bright in the moonlight. Singularly enough the only shells we

found cast upon this beach were Cerion. Occasionally low cliffs of

eolian rock extend down to the water's edge, and at such places,

Tectarius muricatus L., T. trochiformis Dillw., and Litorina lineata

Phil., were discovered.

The scrub vegetation affords but little shade, and the ground is

baked by a powerful sun whose rays oppress the weary collector as

they seem to enliven the swarms of sand-flies and mosquitoes. A

diligent search from daylight to dark brought to our bag but four

species of land shells, although individually these were quite abun-

dant.

1. Cerion marmoratum Pfr. Generally dead specimens found

under bushes. A considerable range of variation exists, the extremes

of which are illustrated on Plate V, figures 3 and 4.

86 THE NAUTILUS.

2. Gepolis ( Hemitrochus} milleri Pfr. The color varieties of this

really beautiful shell are infinite — indeed, no two specimens are en-

tirely alike. They cling to the under side of leaves and to the stems

of a certain species of shrub. Dead shells are scattered about in the

debris of fallen leaves.

3. Ctenopoma hydii Weinl. Under slabs of eolian limestone;

about the roots of trees ; among fallen leaves. There is no actual

difference between this species and C. bryanti of Great Inagua. I

believe it is also reported from Long Island. (Plate V, figure 5.)

4. Ghondropoma lijalmarsoni Pfr. Same station as the last. This

shell has a decided Haitian appearance and has evidently been iden-

tified as G. semilabre Lam. It is doubtful if Lamarck's species ever

occurs out of Haiti, indeed I am inclined to believe it is confined to

the " cul de sac " region of that island. C. hjalmarsoni is more obese

than G. semilabre, its decussated sculpture is not conspicuous, the

revolving stria? are more pronounced and the longitudinal striae less

so than in the Haitian shell. (Plate V, figure 6.)

Fortune Island is easily accessible from New York, and offers an

excellent base for exploring the neighboring islands of the group ;

however, it requires much patience to tarry in a desert of poor col-

lecting when the larger Antillean islands with their magnificent

mountains and forests and incomparable molluscan richness lie but a

day beyond.

COLLECTING SHELLS IN MONTANA.

BY MORTON J. ELROP, UNIV. OF MONTANA.

The State of Montana is not very productive of conchological speci-

mens. The conditions are all against shell growth. The rivers are

rapid, the water quite soft, and food in the rivers scarce. The large

lakes, as Flathead lake, contain clear, cold water. They are usually

deep, with rocky bottoms, and surrounded by mountains with steep

slopes. The marshy, stagnant parts of the lakes are usually small.

The mountain sides in summer become dry and parched, except in

protected portions and along the streams. Great stretches of plain

are without moisture for a portion of the summer, drying up every

living thing that cannot move to the water-courses. The days are

hot, the nights cool. In this mountainous State, where very little

THE NAUTILUS. 87

soil is lower than 3000 feet above the sea, the air is dry and evapo-

ration rapid. A passing rain-cloud may leave considerable moisture,

but it is soon taken up by the parched earth or evaporated if left on

the surface. Stagnant ponds with decaying vegetation are few and

confined to the vicinity of the few rivers. Even such ponds usually

become dry each summer.

No doubt the western mountain region will produce some excellent

material for study of variation through isolation, when collections

have been made more extensively. Most of the valleys were former

lake beds of greater or less extent. As these lakes have been

drained, they left swamps in which rhinoceroses, camels, three-toed

horses, elephants, titanotheriums, and other beasts have become

mired, their remains being buried for long ages. These swamps have

dried up, and the waters have become more widely separated, now

occurring as deep mountainous lakes, or larger lakes, which are mere

expansions of rivers. Such isolation must have caused the separation

of shells of a species which naturally would take different lines of

development. Accompanying this gradual separation of waters we

might expect a region of moisture on the land adjacent to the lakes,

giving suitable environment to the land snails.

As a result of the above conditions, we may expect great variations

in adjacent regions, where the barriers may be sufficient to cut off all

communication between the regions. Such variations have been

illustrated in part by Hemphill's suite of Patulas (Pyramidula), in

the Lichtenthaler collection at the Illinois Wesleyan University.

This has also been shown by collections made in the Sandwich Isl-

ands. There is very little doubt but that the isolated lakes in Mon-

tana and the northwest will produce interesting variations. But the

sparsely-settled country and the small number of collectors makes the

work of collecting and studying very slow. This may be better un-

derstood by a practical application. The State of Montana has an

area of 14G,000 square miles. So far as the writer is able to discover,

he is the only resident of the State who has collected fresh-water and

land shells, and this has been done at odd moments while prosecuting

other lines of work.

The accompanying list is not large. Five species is the maximum

taken in one day. Those taken from mountain sides represent much

toil for a few scattered specimens. The list, incomplete as it must

be, represents the specimens collected at intervals during the past

88 THE NAUTILUS.

three years, and is given as a basis for work, with the hope that

others may add to it. The species are all from the western side of

the range, or Pacific slope, with the exception of a few, which are

properly indicated where they are discussed.

Missoula is located in a valley in which the Hell Gate and Bitter

Root rivers unite to form the Missoula river. West of the Bitte;-

Root river the Bitter Root range of mountains extend parallel with

the river in a northerly and southerly direction. So far the writer

has explored but a few spots in these mountains and along the rivers.

But the results have been surprisingly good. North of the valley

lies the Cabinet range, rugged and broken. Few spots in this have

been examined. Across the Cabinet range lies the Flathead Indian

Reservation. The crest ot the Mission range marks the eastern

border of the reserve. The Mission range extends almost due north

and south for a distance of nearly a hundred miles. The southern

end contains the highest peaks, reaching 10,000 feet, while the

northern end slopes down to the Swan river, and has been ground

smooth by glacial action.

Out of the Mission range four large creeks flo-.v across the Mission

valley, joining each other or the Fend d'Oreille river, which is the

outlet of Flathead lake. The range makes the eastern bank of Flat-

head lake for its entire length. In the canons of this range numer-

ous small lakes lie nestled among the hills, invisible until one comes

suddenly to the bank. Sin-yale-a-min lake is at the base of Sin-

yale-a-min peak, at the southern end of the range. A ten days'

camp at this lake brought to light probably all the shell fauna to be

found. To the north the mountain produced the very interesting

variety of Pyramidula strigosa described later.

McDonald lake is 15 miles north of Sin-yale-a-min lake, 500 feet

lower in altitude, at the base of McDonald peak. Ten days at this

spot produced several quarts of P. elrodi Pils., besides the first living

shells. Another camp at Crow creek produced several valley shells.

Several camps at different points on Flathead lake produced other

species from the sands and from the water. Swan lake is on the

eastern side of the Mission range. A camp on this lake added one

to the list in the western part of the State, not found elsewhere.

While the collecting represented by these notes has extended

through four summers, the results will probably be modified when a

further study of the extensive country has been made.

TIJK NAUTILUS. 89

The identifications have been made for the greater part by H. A.

Pilsbry and W. H. Dall, and for this and other courtesies thanks are

hereby extended.

Margaritana mar garitifera L.

This is the only species of bivalve mollusk of the family Unionidce

taken. It has been found at several places in the Bitter Root river

above the junction of this river with the Missoula. At one place a

colony was found on a sand bar, when about a peck of live specimens

were taken. At another they were found, in March, clinging to the

rocks where the water was swift. They were captured by inserting

the tip of a switch from a tree between the valves. The shell was

closed on the limb, and the specimen pulled from the water. In this

way a dozen or so were secured. Pieces of shells have been seen

around Flathead lake, but no living specimens taken. In 1900,

several dozen were taken in Crow creek, Flathead Indian Reserva-

tion. The species is found in all the western mountain streams. At

no place is it abundant, and many people who have lived in this

country all their lives express surprise at seeing these shells and

hearing they are from waters in the State.

A NEW SPECIES OF LIOMESTTS.

BY \V. H. DALL.

Liomesus nassula n. sp.

Shell solid, white, covered with a pale olive, slightly-hispid perio-

stracum, with a rather elevated, subacute spire of seven whorls;

suture distinct, not channelled ; apex somewhat eroded with a small

blunt top ; surface of the whorls delicately sculptured with fine re-

volving threads, four or five to a millimeter, of which about every

fourth thread is perceptibly stronger than the other three ; these are

crossed by still finer, sharp, elevated, arcuate, incremental lines,

along which the hispidity of the periostracum is arranged ; pillar

white, solid, twisted, funicular distally ; canal very short, wide ; outer

lip thin, simple, with a concave flexuosity behind the periphery; body

with a thin white callus. Alt. 42, max. diam. 22, Ion. aperture 17 mm.

Dredged in 121 fathoms, sand, near the Pribiloff Islands, Bering

Sea, by the U. S. S. Albatross.

90 THE NAUTILUS.

This interesting addition to the genus has a sharper spire than any

other species and a different sculpture. It is perhaps nearest L.

canaliculaius Dall, which lias coarser sculpture and a channeled suture.

A NEW TETHYS FROM CALIFORNIA.

BY T. D. A. COCKERELL.

Tethys (Neaplysici) ritteri, n. sp.

Length 21 cm., breadth about 8cm. Dark grayish-olivaceous;

sides with oblique, flame-like, blood-red markings, especially about

the middle of the body ; upper surface of the head and outer surface

of epipodial lobes mottled with brown, but without any conspicuous

blotches ; inner surface of epipodial lobes and mantle covering shell

pale sea-green, wholly without markings ; lobe overlapping branchiae

deep rich purple ; when the shell is removed, the area beneath it is

seen to be strongly suffused with dark purple ; branchiae purplish-

grey ; sole 45 mm., broad, transversely grooved and corrugated,

greyish-brown, inclining to coffee-color ; epipodial lobes about 80 mm.

long and 28 broad, from base within ends of lobes to nearest part of

sole about 67 mm.; anterior tentacles 11 mm. from inner base to tip;

posterior tentacles 14 mm. long.

Shell very thin, flexible, corneous, 58 mm. long, 42 broad ; acces-

sory plate well-developed.

The animal produces an abundance of a reddish-brown fluid. The

muscular stomach or gizzard contains eleven pentagonal corneous

bodies, which fit raised areas on its wall. The largest of these bodies

was 14x 10^ x 10^ mm. The alimentary canal contained seaweed.

Hob.: San Pedro, California. The specimen described was found

cast up on the shore of the bay, just in front of the University of

California Marine Laboratory, July 23, 1901. Others were obtained

by workers at the laboratory ; one of these, which I saw, had been in

formalin, and the red, flame-like markings had wholly disappeared.

This animal has the structure of T. californicus (Cooper), which

was also described from San Pedro, but the color-scheme is so entirely

different that it must be assumed that the species are distinct. Should

any reason hereafter appear to the contrary, T. ritteri will at least be

a very distinct variety. It is named after Prof. Wm. E. Ritter,

THE NAUTILUS. 91

director of the Marine Laboratory at San Pedro, in recognition of his

important services to marine zoology.

JAPANESE VIVIPARA IN CALIFORNIA.

BY ROBERT E. C. STEARNS.

In the NAUTILUS for February, 1892, Mr. Williard M. Wood

mentions the presence of " Paludina Japonica " (as determined by

Mr. W. J. Raymond), in the Chinese market in San Francisco,

where he saw a bucket-full of living specimens, being part of the

first lot brought alive from Japan, where they are collected in the

rice-fields near Yokohama, and are sold for a few cents a quart.

They are called by the Chinese " Tsen law." Subsequently Mr.

Wood (NAUTILUS, September, 1892), mentions seeing the same spe-

cies and certain forms of Anodonta in an aquarium in a shop in the

Chinese quarter of San Francisco.

A year or more ago, Mrs. A. E. Bush, of San Jose, sent me a few

examples of a Vi'vipara,a quite familiar Japanese form. One living

specimen sent to Dr. Pilsbry, he kindly determined for me as V.

stelmaphora Bgt. (= V. malleata Rve.), " it is a female and gives us

plenty of young," etc. From Mrs. Bush's note it appears that the

species may now be collected, or might have been at the time she

sent the specimens, in San Jose, and also in a little valley at (he foot

of Mount Hamilton. The examples received from her were collected

at the former place. The first specimens from the several regions

were detected by a boy, at a point seven or eight miles from San Jose.

In wheeling over the floor of a little lake that was dry at the time, he

picked up the shells and gave them to a friend who was interested

in conchology.

From the above it is quite evident that somebody planted this

Asiatic form thereabout, presumably some of the Japanese or Chinese

living in the neighborhood. It may be remembered that the Euro-

pean Helix aspersa was planted in San Jose forty years ago ; in

course of time the mollusca of the region may exhibit quite a cosmo-

politan aspect.

Los Angeles, Oaf., Oct. 22, 1901.

92 THE NAUTILUS.

THE SHELL-BEARING MOLLTJSCA OF RHODE ISLAND.

BY HORACE F. CARPENTER.

The earlier portion of this paper appeared in Volumes III. and IV. of this

Journal.]

199. Toldia sapotilla Gould.

Nucula sapotilla Gld., DeKay, Sby., Hanley ; Leda sapotilla

Stimp., S. I. Smith, Reeve ; Toldia sapotilla, of modern authors.

Shell elongated ovate, thin, fragile, translucent ; beaks nearly

central, a little nearer the anterior end, not elevated ; anterior por-

tion of the shell semi-oval, regularly rounded, posterior narrowed and

compressed but not so much so as in JT. limatida; surface with very

minute concentric lines ; epidermis thin, glossy, bright yellowish-

green with one or two narrow" zones of a darker shade ; interior

white and pearly ; hinge with sixteen long and pointed teeth on each

side of the beaks, those near the center small and close together.

Length T9^r, height |, breadth T3<j inch.

This species is comparatively rare and local, but inhabits soft mud

in deep water from Long Island to the Arctic Ocean. It has been

dredged in Provincetown Harbor by Col. Joseph G. Totten, and in

Long Island Sound by Mr. S. Smith. Prof. A. E. Verrill has

dredged it off Gay Head, 19 fathoms; Buzzard's Bay, 25 fathoms;

east of Block Island, 29 fathoms ; and in Casco Bay and Bay of

Fundy, 4 to 100 fathoms. Quoted from Mass. Bay (Gould), Nova

Scotia (Willis), Labrador (Packard), Greenland (Morch).

Gould says, "In its shape and the perfect polish of its surface,

this shell resembles the seed of the Sapotilla (Achras sapota), a trop-

ical fruit," and for this reason he gave it its specific name.

Toldia obesa Stimp. and Toldia thraciforrnis Stimp. have been

quoted from Long Island to Greenland, but have not as yet been

found in Rhode Island.

Family ARCIDJE.

The Arks are boat-shaped shells, having a straight hinge with

numerous short comb-like teeth ; the umbos separated from each other

by a flat, lozenge-shaped ligamental area, and on the interior of the

valves are two distinct muscular impressions. The animals have two

hearts, each with an auricle ; they spin a byssus not like the mussels,

but a horny substance composed of numerous thin calcareous plates

THE NAUTILUS. 93

which can be cast off and renewed whenever occasion requires.

There are a large number of genera and species ; they are distrib-

uted world-wide, in all seas and at all depths from low water to 240

fathoms. Fossil arks are abundant in all ages. There are several

groups of this family, one of which is sedentary in its habits, adher-

ing to crevices in rocks ; another group Scaphula Benson, an East

Indian genus, lives in fresh water, a thousand miles from the ocean ;

others live in sand or mud and move about freely. We have two

species in New England, although a third, Area ponderosa Say, is

occasionally washed up on the beach at Edgartown, Martha's Vine-

yard.

200. Area (Argina] ptxata Say, 1822.

Shell oblong, thick and solid, very inequipartite ; beaks prominent,

ventricose, pointing obliquely forwards, terminating in points which

are nearly in contact, surface with 32 to 36 broad radiating ribs,

crossed by minute lines of growth, the whole covered with a very

coarse, brown hairy epidermis ; interior white, the margin polished

and deeply crenulated by the alternate termination of the ribs and

grooves ; hinge with a series of small teeth. Length 2^ inches, height

2 inches, breadth 1-^.

This species is very abundant in Narragansett Bay and has been

quoted from Cape Cod to Gulf of Mexico. 1 think it must be very

rare and local south of Long Island Sound, as collectors south of

New York seem to consider it a rare species. It is distinguished

from all others of our marine shells by its rough, dirty epidermis,

which is thick and hairy, generally detached in places and can be

torn off in long strings. The fishermen call it the hairy clam. It is

not an attractive looking object when found alive, and is still more

repulsive if we open the valves, for the animal then exudes a reddish,

bloody-looking liquid, from which circumstance it is often called the

bloody clam.

201. Area (Scapharca) transversa Say, 1822.

Shell transversely oblong, rhomboidal ; beaks prominent, separated

from each other by a long, narrow space ; surface with 32 or more

radiating ribs, the ribs and intervening spaces of about equal breadth.

Length and breadth about 1^ inches each, height 1 inch. This spe-

cies is of southern distribution and is not at all common as far north

as Rhode Island. It has been found from Florida to Cape Cod.

94 THE NAUTILUS.

Several specimens have been collected at Nantucket and Martha's

Vineyard ; it is not very rare at New Haven, but I have never found

anything in our bay excepting single valves. Mr. John Ford, of

Philadelphia, while on a visit to Providence, a few years ago, obtained

several live specimens among the oysters dredged off Bullock's Point.

Family MYTILID^E.

The mussels inhabit all shores in great numbers. Some species

inhabit deep water and others frequent near high water mark, being

uncovered nearly all the time and moistened by the salt water only

once every twelve hours. Woodward says, " The members of this

family exhibit a propensity for concealment, frequently spinning a

nest of sand and shell fragments, burrowing in soft substances or

secreting themselves in the burrows of other shells." In speaking of

the animals, he says, " Animals marine or fluviatile attached by a

byssus." There are no fluviatile members of this family, although

one species, which will be spoken of hereafter, seems to live equally

well in either fresh or salt water.

Genus Mytilus Linne, 1758.

The mussels are easily recognized by their triangular or wedge-

shaped shells, which are pointed at the anterior end and broad and

rounded at the posterior ; the hinge is either toothless or in some

species with very minute teeth. There are sixty-five species distrib-

uted world wide, one of which inhabits Rhode Island.

202. Mylilus edulis Linne.

Mytilus vulgarif Da Costa ; Mytilus borealis Lam., De Kay, Midd.;

Mytilus pelhicidus De Kay ; Mytilus notatus De Kay (young).

Shell ovate-triangular, solid ; beaks pointed, situated at the an-

terior end ; hinge margin rising in a straight line at an angle of forty-

five degrees from the basal margin, which is also straight ; posterior

widened and rounded, the broadest part of the shell being directly

opposite the centre of the basal margin ; surface covered by a dark,

shining, bluish-black epidermis, under which the shell is violet; in-

terior silvery in the centre, with dark violet margins. Length of

large specimens two and a half inches, height one and three-tenths,

breadth one inch.

This species, the common edible mussel, inhabits the whole of the

ocean shores of the northern hemisphere, being extremely abundant

THE NAUTILUS. 95

all over the northern portions of Europe, Asia and America. They

are used in Rhode Island for food to a very limited extent, probably

on acQOunt of the vast quantities of clams, quohogs, oysters and scal-

lops which abound here, any of which form a much better quality of

food than the mussels ; but they are consumed in large numbers in

Europe. The annual consumption in the city of Edinburgh is esti-

mated at four hundred bushels, averaging one thousand to the bushel ;

the amount collected for bait in various kinds of fishing is enormous.

In France, Norway and Russia immense quantities are gathered and

used, animal, shell and seaweed together, as a fertilizer for the land.

They are found in Rhode Island attached to each other by their

strong byssus in great numbers. They are not buried in mud, but

cluster together on rocks between tides and form beds in the banks.

The young are found in deeper water and attain their growth in one

year.

Mytilus pellucidus, Penn., Mont., Turt., Don., De Kay and others,

considered by many as a separate species, I think is only a variety of

Mytilus edulis. The shell is thin and transparent, beautifully radi-

ated with blue, yellow and green zones. These marks are generally

seen in specimens about one inch to an inch and a half in length and

they gradually disappear as the shell gets larger; still these zones are

sometimes seen in old and solid specimens, while others, one half an

inch or less in length, are of a uniform shining black appearance, so

that it does not seem to depend at all upon the age or size of the

individuals. In every cluster of Mytilus edulis we find from one to

a dozen or more of these pellucid, radiating ones, which if they do

belong to a separate and distinct species, present an anomaly seldom

seen, i. e., a colony of different species of animals living together and

firmly bound together by such strong bonds of friendship (or some-

thing else) as these mollusca are.

Genus Modiolus Lam., 1799.

The horse-mussels differ from the edible mussels in having; a shell

O

swollen at the umbos, and in having three pedal impressions in each

valve, whereas there are but two in Mytilus. The animal burrows

in mud, or clusters together under banks of grass or peat in salt

marshes in some species, while others live in deep water. There are

three species living in Rhode Island, one of which, however, is not a

native, but has become domesticated here within about twenty years.

96 THE NAUTILUS.

204. Modiolus (Branchydontes) hamatut Say, 1812.

Mytilut hamatut Say, De Kay ; Mytilut serratus Barnes, 1823 ;

Modiola hamatus H. F. Carpenter, 1865, A. E. Verrill, 1872 ; Brachy-

dontes hamatus Perkins, 1869.

Thomas Say describes this species in the Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., ii,

p. 257, 1822, under the name of Mytilus hamatus, giving for its local-

ity the Gulf of Mexico ; the specimens he described were obtained

from the markets of New Orleans, adhering to the shells of the south-

ern oyster, Ostrea virginica. Since his time it has been found on

oysters along the coasts of all the southern Atlantic States. Shell

very much contracted and incurved at the beaks, which are acute ;

surface covered all over with elevated radiating lines, which near the

umbos are divided into two and sometimes three ; color black or

very dark brown ; interior purple with white margins. Length two

and one-half inches, breadth one and a half, but sometimes as broad

as long ; very variable.

Gould's Invertebrata of Massachusetts, 1840, does not mention

this species at all ; even Binney's Gould, second edition, 1870, sup-

posed to contain descriptions of all the marine species inhabiting the

coast of Massachusetts, has not a word to say about it. It is, how-

ever, getting to be quite common in Rhode Island waters, but the

collector will obtain more specimens in five minutes in the oyster

markets of Providence, than he could collect at the shore in a week.

The first specimens I ever saw were given me by Mr. E. H. Jenks,

who obtained them in a fish market in Pawtucket ; neither of us

knew what they were at the time, but I pronounced them to be

Modiolus at once. After carrying them home I referred to a vol-

ume of Say in my possession and saw by the figure and description

given in it that they were Mytilus hamatus Say. They were attached

to oyster shells. On seeing Mr. Jenks a few days after, I told him

what they were, but added, " they are not Mytilus if Say does say

so, they are Modiolus just the same." Since then the species has

become domesticated in our bay, having been brought here alive on

the southern oysters and transplanted in these waters. I have found

a few specimens in our bay not attached to oysters, stones or any-

thing else, but its proper habitat is on valves of Ostrea virginica,

adhering by a short, stout byssus.

In November, 1870, Mr. Geo. H. Perkins published the « Mol-

luscan Fauna of New Haven," in which, speaking of this species, he

says, " An examination of the animal has led me to consider it a

Modiola rather than a Mytilus." He described it as a Modiola under

the sub-generic name of Brachydontfs Sw., 1840. In 1872, Prof. A.

E. Verrill, in the March number of Silliman's Journal, p. 211, says,

Modiola hamatus = Mytilus hamatus Say. New Haven harbor and

vicinity, usually attached to oysters-

THE NAUTILUS, XV.

PLATE VI.

YEN PR YES : NEW SPECIES OF PLEURODONTE.

THE NAUTILUS.

Vou XV. JANUARY, 19O2. No. 9.

A DAY ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

BY CHARLES HLDLEV.

" All hands on deck ! " Ugh ! " The billy's boiled ! ': Groan.

" The tide is falling fast ! " That fetched your conchologist.

Sleepily he crawled out and reached for his mug of hot tea. Balanc-

ing himself on the combings he looked abroad.

Far in the west the jungle-clad mountains of tropical Queensland

loomed soft and blue. Between lay a purple sea which in the near

distance suddenly changed to the vivid green of shoal water. To

windward a beach of coral sand showed white and bright under the

dense foliage which smothered a long, low island. Beyond it a line

of foaming breakers stretched to the sky-line. Back against the

white surf there rose the bristling fangs of the reef, rank after rank

passing in long perspective out of sight. Below in the clear water,

the links of the cable lay as sharp on the sand as if the cutter had

floated in the air. Down overboard a blue starfish (Linckia} slept,

here a prickly urchin, there a madrepore.

Regardless of scenery the party munched their damper, and asked

what was the scarlet tree ashore, and should the cook be keel-hauled

for opening plum jam instead of marmalade.

" Get the dingy up and look alive ! " quoth the captain. Into her

tumbled all hands, Mr. Conglomerate, the captain, the cook, the jib-

sheet hand, and Mr. Conchologist. Safe in the locker are stowed

all the nice town clothes. A soft felt hat, flannel shirt, tweed pants,

belt and sheath-knife, and big laborer's boots with thick socks rig

out a man for the reef. Mem. .tie your boots with string instead of

98 THE NAUTILUS.

laces for wading. Our tools are a geological hammer, a four pound

sledge, a crowbar, all the cans and buckets available, a pockel-full

of corked tubes and a pocket lens fastened to the waist with a key-

chain, such as bank clerks use. A big shooting bag is a handy

tiling to sling over the shoulder. A design for reef collecting which

we never put in practice was a belt like a soldier's cartridge belt to

hold tubes instead of cartridges. Not only could molluscs, worms,

etc., be packed apart, but such useful things as alcohol, formal, or

picric acid would be at hand in small quantities. In practice we

filled, say the left trouser pocket, with empty tubes. When a speci-

men is fouud it is important not to lose sight of it, and one hand

may be engaged holding the rock. With the free hand a tube is

taken, the cork pulled out with the teeth, the specimen bottled, the

tube filled with sea water and stowed in the right hand pocket.

Now we pull in among the corals and jump overboard. " But

what is the thing like a barrel stranded yonder ? " "That, Mr.

Conglomerate, is a Tridacna gigas." A real, live, giant clam, with

jaws gaping like a crocodile, lying high and dry and loose upon the

reef. Between the jaws are living jewels of green and gold, thick

strewn on living velvet. With a convulsive jerk the shell half

closes and gaps again. "I've seen plenty bigger nor this ; do you

want him, Mr. Conchologist ? " asked the jib-sheet hand. ''Yes,

take that." So he drove the end of a board hard down in the centre

of the gape. That disabled the monster. The cook plunged in a

butcher's knife, dexterously peeled back the gorgeous mantle, slipped

off the huge adductor muscle and unceremoniously threw out the

carcass, bigger than a leg of mutton, on the sand.

The conchologist who ordered the execution feels, well, just a

qualm of remorse, as the men hoist the shell to the boat. Anyhow

he never collected a bigger shell. And then for an instant, the sun-

shine and the sea were swept away and the magic of memory flashed

out a picture of distant lands and days; faint incense, cold and

gloom, past rows of marble pillars and stained glass windows, to a

small conchologist gaping with amazement at his first Ttidacna, the

the holy-water basins in St. Sulpice.

Again the ripple on the water, the sunshine and the sea. All

about the giant lay lesser clams, Hippopus. " How do you tell one

from the other, captain?" "Why, look at the meat," says he.

And sure enough, we saw that Hippopus lacked the jewelled eyes of

THE NAUTILUS. 99

his great brother. Queer topsy turvy molluscs these, lying hinge

down, gape up. And yet they have turned round in the shell and

live heart up, foot down, like other bivalves.

" Here's something for you ! " Wading across, the conchologist

found four men standing at a respectful distance round one small

Octopus. Boldly he grappled with the fearsome beast, twining and

untwining the long sticky tendrils. The jib-sheet hand muttered

something to the cook, and both exploded with laughter. I fear

that irreverent young rascal had remarked how like the Oc.topns, all

legs and arms, was to Mr. Conchologist himself. Now the slippery

tiling is gathered up and slid into the bucket. When packing time

came, however, no Octopus could be found ; evidently it climbed out

when the gaoler's back was turned.

Another big coral block, over with it. A scuttle of little crabs, as

they clatter down small holes, a shrinking of things soft, a twisting

and a writhing of things neither hard nor soft; among them is a par-

ticularly energetic bunch. Left alone it unwinds into a huge Brittle

star ; casting a couple of cables into the water beneath, the Brittle

star lowers itself along itself to the sea, pulls after itself the cords

which are itself, and tucks itself, body and ropes and running rigging,

comfortably into a crack in the coral.

This is a land of big things. Here is a huge sea anemone, bigger

than a dinner plate, Discosomn, with all its tentacles spread abroad.

A gorgeous little fish, crimson with a white bar, has made friends

with the anemone and at the least fright swims to its capacious

bosom and nestles safe among the poisonous tentacles.

And here is the Chinese dainty, the beche de mer, a dozen differ-

ent kinds of them. The commonest Holothurian is a long, black,

snake-like species. When feeding they sweep all around with their

branching tentacles, grasping a miscellaneous catch of foraminifera,

shells and sea-weed, and thrust the mass down their throats. An-

other beche de mer has earned the name of cotton-fish, because when

handled it voids a mass of white glutinous threads, troublesome to

clean from hands and clothes.

" Pass the crow-bar and up-end this block. A heave, my hearties,

and up she goes!" " A mutton-fish," says the jib-sheet hand, and

grabs it. Haliotis asinina; now we always did think that narrow

shell could not contain the body, and here it is like Scutus or Um-

brella or Lucapina, only a shield upon the back. " And those, toe-

100 THE NAUTILUS.

nails you call them, not a bad name either. I call this Acanthoclrites

and that Cryptoplax." As the conchologist crooks his finger round a

live Stomatella mariei, the creature falls asunder. Like a Gecko, he

would ransom his body with his tail. Gena does the same in Sydney

harbor; Harpa is said to know the trick.

"What are you doing?" asks Mr. Conglomerate, strolling up.

" Smashing up Helioporal What a shame !" And so it is, to wreck

the beautiful blue branches, but we seek all manner of queer things

hidden in corners, and Gephyrean worms and Lithophaya burrowing

inside. A few odd urchins and star-fish are overhauled for Stylifer

without success.

And see under the water what looks to the eye like a mass of

white down, but to the finger feels hard. We read the riddle with a

chop of the crow-bar ; the fragment shows tiny crimson rods packed

together, and partitioned off into floors and ceilings. It is a lump of

Tubipora musica in full bloom.

Out in the broad daylight lin the Strombs, they love the little

sandy pools among the rocks. The sociable big Pterocera lie around

in scores, not too proud to foregather with their humble cousin S.

lulmanus. There is nothing shy about a Stromb, it vigorously resents

being picked up, and kicks like a Nassa, lashing out water with its

operculum, and thrusting out its beautiful big, green eyes, on their

long stalks, it stares boldly at its captor.

But now the tide is rising fast. Soaked and tired and hungry we

must leave OUT hunting ground. Though bags and buckets and

tubes are crammed, yet we have scarcely tasted of the riches of the

reef. All to-morrow, next week, and next month we might collect

without exhausting it.

Back to the cutter we row over fields of deeper corals, scarlet

gorgonias, parrot fish glancing blue and gold and green, Monacanthus

in armour of black and red, over madrepores ten feet across, like

tables spread with dainty lace and edged with violets.

Then we climb aboard and snatching a hasty meal as we work,

face the only tiresome labor of the day, the labelling, sorting and

packing of our catch.

At last the jars and kegs are screwed down. Let us pass the

pannikin along for rum, light a pipe, stretch luxuriously on the

hatch and lazily watch the ghostly gleam of the zodiacal light fading

in the west.

THE NAUTILUS. 101

A NEW SPECIES AND SUB-SPECIES OF JAMAICAN PLEURODONTE.

HY HENRY VENDRYES.

PLEURODONTE (Pleurodonte) VACILLANS, n. sp. PI. VI, figs.

1, 2, 3.

Shell rather solid, very slightly dilated transversely, depressed

turliinate above, depressed convex below ; color brown all over,

deepening slightly in tint and simulating an indistinct band running

along the centre surface of the spire whorls (except the apical) with

a dark brown band below the periphery of the last whorl encircling

the base of the shell and fading off to very light about and around

the umbilical region ; whorls a little more than five, apical obtuse,

the rest subplanulate except the last which is impressed above the

periphery and somewhat inflated above the impression ; the peri-

phery subacute and descending slightly near its extremity ; suture

linear, impressed. Sculpture on part of the antepenult whorl appar-

ently the same as in P. carmelita, in the rest for the main part, of

irregularly raised, drawn out growth lines, coarse in some places and

very fine in others; aperture peroblique, sublunate, livid shining

within in fresh specimens ; peristome not so stout as in P. carmelita;

the extremities joined by a callus spreading across the parietal wall,

upper margin simple, somewhat sinuously depressed above near its

commencement, basal margin reflexed, widening, and adnate for some

distance to the base of the last whorl which is inflated, but less so

than in subacuta. There are two small distant teeth within, like

those of P. subacuta, but of a brown color, as is also the peristome.

The umbilicus is covered in some specimens but not completely so

in others ; in the first case the basi-columellar part of the peristome

which forms the covering shows a shallow depression over the per-

foration beneath. Alt. 23, diam. 48 mm.

Habitat : Silver Hill in the Parish of St. George, situated at an

elevation of about 4000 feet on the northeastern slope of the chain

of mountains in St. Andrew; St. Catherine Park, in the neighbor-

hood of the habitat of C. carmelita, and in exactly similar stations to

those which the latter frequents.

This shell so much resembles P. carmelita in some respects, and

P. subacuta in others, that one may be led at first sight to confound

it with one or the other of those species to which the particular

specimen under examination may show a preponderance of resem-

102 THE NAUTILUS.

blances. Its principal differences from P. carmelita are the posses-

sion of the two teeth (carmelita never exhibits a vestige of teeth)

and the adnate peristome. These two features, however, bring it

nearer to P. si'bacuta, but the sculpture, the deflection of the last

whorl (or rather the descending), the color of the peristome and

teeth, and the generally less inflated appearance of the shell remove

it also from that species. It appears as if thrown in between carme-

lita, subacnta and acuta to exemplify the sportive tendencies of the

very variable group to which they all belong.

Figures 1 and 2 are from the type. Figure 3 represents a speci-

men approaching subacuta.

PLEUUODONTE (PI.) SOROR Fer. var. PERACUTA, n. var. PI. VI,

figs. 4, 5.

Same in size as the type, but the shell is more depressed, the base

less regularly convex and the outline of the spire is more conoidal.

The periphery of the last whorl is much pinched and spread out into

a wide, flat, knife-like carina. The base is somewhat convex below

the periphery, then compressed laterally inward from it and inflated.

The umbilicus is uncovered ; the aperture subtriangular, narrowed

transversely and forming an acute angle at the right side. A few

examples are unicolored brown with the epidermis dull and flaky as

in some specimens of P. cara, but by far the greater number of

specimens are banded with dark and white, as in the type of soror,

on the spire, and the periphery of the last whorl is white. The

bands do not stop, as in the type, half way up the spire, but. extend

to the very suture line of the first apical whorl. The color of the

shpll (or of the bands) is not so intense, or pure or lustrous white as

in the type. The shells somewhat resemble small banded forms of

P. peracinissima, but they have the teeth of soror. A specimen re-

ceived from Chitty is marked "soror?." From Lower Maysfield in

in the Parish of St. Elizabeth.

A NEW SPECIES OF VOLUTOMITRA.

BY W. II. DALL.

This genus has long rested on its typical species, the Mitra grbn-

Icuidica (Beck) Mo'ller of the Arctic Atlantic Seas. The discovery

of another species, therefore, possesses somewhat more than the ordi-

nary interest.

THE NAUTILUS. 103

Volutomitra alaskana n. sp.

Shell fusiform, with about six moderately convex whorls; suture

distinct, surface wholly minutely spirally striated, covered with an

olivaceous periostracum over a white or yellowish shell ; aperture

longer than half the total length, with a rather wide canal, callous

pillar and body in the adult, and simple outer lip ; the canal has a

well marked siphonal fasciole, and is slightly flexuous ; plaits nor-

mally four, rarely three or five, strong and rather distant ; nucleus

almost always eroded ; Ion. 44, diam. 17.5 ; Ion. of aperture, 2G mm.

Habitat in the southern and eastern parts of Bering Sea and the

Aleutians, in GO to 85 fathoms, muddy bottom, and southward in

constantly deeper water, following the temperature of 39° Fahr. to a

point off' San Diego, California, in 822 fathoms.

This species differs from V. gronlcmdica in its much greater size,

less rufous color, and pervasive fine spiral sculpture, but otherwise is

very similar. It was first dredged by the writer in the eastern Aleu-

tians, and has since been obtained by the U. S. Fish Commission.

The Atlantic species is usually about 18, but reaches 27 mm. in

length, and is smooth above, with a few coarse spiral stria? on the base.

COLLECTING SHELLS IN MONTANA.

BY MORTON J. ELKOP, UNIV. OF MONTANA.

[Continued from page 89.~\

Sphcerium partumeium Say.

This beautiful shell is common in the ponds near Flathead Lake

and around Missoula. They live in the dense vegetation, in com-

pany with Planorbis trivolvis, larvae of Odonata, Cyclops, Daphnia,

and numerous water insects. They are gathered by pulling out a

mass of the vegetation, picking it to pieces, and here and there find-

ing the delicate shells. A single dead shell was found on the beach

of Swan lake. None have been discovered in the small cold water

lakes in the Mission mountains.

Planorbis trivolcis Say.

This cosmopolitan species is the most abundant thus far found,

and has been taken in most of the ponds where shells are found. It

has been taken around Missoula in the streams, in the lakes of the

104 THE NAUTILUS.

Mission Mountains as high as 3800 ft., in the ponds bordering Flat-

head Lake, and in Swan Lake.

Estey's pond covers some 10 or 15 acres, three miles from the

Biological Station, and a mile from Flathead Lake. In August,

1900, the shores of this pond were literally covered with dead shells,

and great quantities of live ones in the water.

It was here that a very interesting experiment was performed with

these shells and a large frog. A dead shell was tossed in front of

the frog, close to his nose. The shell was immediately seized, and

an unsuccessful attempt made to swallow it. It was disgorged by

the aid of the fore feet. A second attempt gave the same result.

This was continued until the frog had seized the eighteenth dead

shell, when he seemed to weary of the sport, and took a rest. After

this he would seize only now and then, and only those in easy reach.

After the 23d shell had been seized he no longer made any effort,

and a good sized pile of shells was made with no result. Other at-

tempts on other frogs gave practically the same result, with a slight

variation in the number.

Planorbis parvus Say.

In August. 1897, while camped on the bank of the Fend d' Oreille

river a couple of miles below the outlet at Flathead Lake, some sand

siftings produced a dozen or more of these small shells.

( To be continued.}

THE SHELL-BEARING MOLLUSCA OF RHODE ISLAND.

BY HORACE F. CARPENTER.

[Continued from page 96.~\

203. Modiolus modiohts Linne.

Mytilus modiolus Linn., Wood, Don. Chem., DeKay. Modiola

modiolus Turt., Gld., Perkins, Dall.

Shell large, thick and solid, oblong-ovate ; beaks at the anterior

end which is narrow ; posterior broad, rounded ; hinge margin

straight, ascending from the beaks at an angle of forty-five degrees

to the centre, then curving downward to the posterior end ; basal

margin arched a little upwards near the centre, gaping at this point

for the passage of a byssus ; epidermis dark brown, thick, folding

THE NAUTILUS. 105

over the margin ; interior pearly, of :v livid color. Length four and

a half inches ; height two and a quarter; breadth two inches.

It inhabits the ocean in deep water, attached to the larger seaweeds,

and is thrown up on ocean shores in storms, the seaweeds being torn

from the rocks by the action of the waves and dashed upon the beach.

Sometimes these shells attain a length of six inches and are subject

to great variety of form, being almost always distorted in some man-

ner. In young specimens, the epidermis at the lines of growth is

prolonged into filaments.

205. Modiolus plicatulus Lam.

Shell transversely oblong-ovate, elongated, narrowed at the an-

terior and broadened at the posterior ; beaks at the anterior end ;

hinge margin straight, ascending for two-thirds the length of the

shell, then curving downward and rounding at the posterior to meet

the basal margin ; surface ornamented with numerous radiating,

sometimes undulating, prominent ribs ; a broad elevated ridge runs

from the beaks to the posterior end of the basal margin, dividing the

shell into two nearly equal parts ; on the upper half of the shell thus

divided, the ribs are large and coarse, but on the lower half they are

very fine, merely lines on a smooth surface ; exterior silvery white,

covered by a thin varnish epidermis of a brown color, rayed with

zones of yellow, green and black ; interior silver white ; margins

crenulated. Length three inches, height one and a quarter, breadth

nine-tenths.

This species, with the exception of Mya arenaria and perhaps

Ilyanassa obsoleta, is the most abundant mollusk in R. I. It inhabits

everywhere in mud, peat bogs, salt marshes and in the banks of

rivers. It is found up the Blackstone nearly to Pawtucket, where

the fresh water is continually pouring over the falls, as well on the

shores of the bay and ocean. Its station is everywhere above low

water, and they cluster so thickly together as to frequently form

banks a foot or two in depth imbedded near high water, forming

beds sometimes hundreds of feet in length by ten to twenty in width.

When found completely buried in mud, they are generally preserved

in good condition, but if taken under any other circumstances, the

epidermis is found to be badly eroded, not only at the umboes, where

shells usually exhibit this peculiarity if at all, but all over the sur-

face. They may be gathered in any quantity in Providence, in the

banks of the river road, above Red Bridge.

10G THE NAUTILUS.

Genus CreneUa Brown, 1827.

There are five species, one of which inhabits New England.

20G. Crenella yrandula, Tottc-n.

Syn : Modiola ylandula Tott. GUI.; Mytilus decussatus Stimp.;

CreneUa decussatus Forbes & Hanley, DeKay.

Shell small, thin, rounded oval ; beaks small, separated at the an-

terior end, and at one half the height of the shell ; surface with

minute lines of growth, crossed by numerous fine radiating ribs

which increase in number as they recede from the beaks; epidermis

brownish-yellow ; interior pearly ; margins sharp and crenulated.

Length one quarter of an inch, height nine-twentieths, breadth

three-tenths,

This species was discovered by Col. Joseph G. Totten in Province-

town Harbor, and described in Silliman's Journal, Vol. xxvi, p. 367,

1834. It inhabits sandy and soft mud in water from 3 to 60

fathoms, from Sandy Hook to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and is often

found in the stomachs of fishes. It has been dredged in various

places between these points, such as Buzzard's Bay, Vineyard

Sound, off Block Island, in Massachusetts Bay, Casco Bay and Bay

of Fundy. It is found fossil at- Montreal.

Genus Modiolaria Gray, 1872.

The shells of this genus are small, rhomboidal in shape, and are

sculptured by two series of radiating lines, one at each end, leaving

a smooth spate between.

207. Modiolaria discors Linne.

Syn : Mytilus discors Linn., Loven, Stimp., Hanley, etc.; Mytilus

discrepans Mont., Dill., Turt., Flem.; Modiola discrepans Lam.,

Forbes, Gld., Migh., DeKay.; CreneUa discors Gray, Adams, Forbes

and Hanley; Modiolaria discors Loven, Binney, Dall, etc.

Shell obliquely-oval, beaks near the anterior end ; surface coarsely

marked by lines of growth and divided into three fan-shaped spaces,

the anterior portion with eight fine lines radiating from the beaks to

the basal margin, the middle portion smooth and the posterior with

numerous lines radiating in an opposite direction from those on the

anterior end of the shell ; interior silvery. Length one inch, height

thirteen-twentieths, breadth two-fifths.

Circumpolar : from Greenland to Long Island ; from Finmark to

Great Britain ; Bering's Straits to Puget Sound. Inhabits from

THE NAUTILUS. 107

low water murk to 100 fathoms, also found in the maws of fishes.

Common everywhere north of Cape Cod, rare and local to the south

of it. Two other species, also circumpolar in range, the Modiolaria

nigra and M. corrugata, are said to have hcen found as far south as

Buzzard's Bay, but as I have no idea they will ever he found in

R. I., I do not include them in these papers.

( To be continued. )

GEORGE B. SIMPSON.

George Bancroft Simpson was horn in 1841 at Boston, Mass., re-

moved to Waterbury, Conn, at an early age, and in 18G1 enlisted in

the army for the Civil War. At the close of his service he entered

Yale College, but was unable to complete his course for lack of

money. In 1SG8 he came to Albany and began work with his

uncle, the late Prof. James Hall, State Paleontologist, as a collector

of fossils. Subsequently he took up the drawing of fossils and be-

came highly skilled in this work. Thousands of the fine drawings

which have illustrated the Paleoiitoloc/y of New York being his

handiwork.

He was a devoted lover of nature, and was the author of a useful

work on the anatomy of the fresh water clam (Anodonta fluviatilis),

and had -just completed an elaborate treatise on the anatomy, physi-

ology and embryology of Poly gyro, nlbolabris and Limax maximus,at

the time of his death, which occurred October 15, 1901 J. M. C.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

THE MOLLUSCA OF PORTO Rico. By William H. Dall and

Charles T. Simpson. (Extract from U. S. Fish Commission Bulle-

tin for 1900, Vol. I, pages 351-524.)

This work really constitutes a hand-book of the mollusca of the

island, as it contains brief descriptions of the genera and species with

references to the original descriptions and principal synonymy, illus-

trated by 6 plates containing 102 figures. The total number of

species recorded is 653, of which 42 are new. Excluding the land

and fresh water shells and nudibranchs the number of species and

well-marked varieties is 530, and an estimate is made of 600 species.

" It has been one of the surprises that a number of species originally

described from deep water in the Blake report, turned up in less

than 100 fathoms in MayagiiPz harbor or other localities."

108 THE NAUTILUS.

Some important changes in nomenclature are noticeable: The

genus Pyrena Bolten, 1798 (Gonidea Swain), is adopted for Colum-

beUa oviilata,and Nitidella Swains., is given generic standing. Ultimus

Bolteri is used generically for Ovula gibbosa. We can hardly agree

with the authors in some of the names they still retain in the old

family Tritonida, for which they use a new term Septidse. If one

name of an author having priority is used, why not use others that

can be as readily identified ? If Septa Perry, 1811, can by elimina-

tion be used for Triton Montf., why not use Monoplex Perry, instead

of Ranularia Schumacher 1817, and Aquillus Montf., 1810, for

Lampusia Schum. ? L. cynocephala Lam., certainly belongs to

Ranularia rather than Lampusia. The family name Septidce prob-

ably deserves adoption, as the genus Septa contains one of the largest

and most beautiful shells in the world (Septa tritonis), although it is

not perhaps the most typical, nor the oldest genus of the family.

THE MOLLUSCA OF THE PERSIAN GULF, GULF OF OMAN AND

ARABIAN SEA, as evidenced mainly through the collections of Mr.

F. W. Townsend, 1893-1900; with descriptions of new species.

By James Cosmo Melvill and Robert Standen (Proc. Zool. Soc. of

London, 1901, pp. 327-460). Part I.— Cephalopoda, Gastropoda

and Scaphopoda.

This valuable and interesting paper adds greatly to our knowledge

of the oriental species and their geographical distribution. Upwards

of 935 species are recorded, including 77 new species and one new

genus (Argyropeza) in the family of Litiopidce. Some families are

unusually well represented; of the genus Gonus 41 species are re-

corded, while those usually restricted- to the Pkurotomidce number

100 species, 20 of which are new; of the 54 species of Nassida, 5

are new, and there are also 5 new Mitra out of a total of 43 species.

As the authors have " endeavored in every case to give the name

sanctioned by the laws of priority," we note several changes,

although many genera having priority, and now in common use still

bear later names: Glyphis Cpr., 1856 = Fissuridea Swains, 1840 ;

Mitrularia Schum., 1817 = = Cheilea Modeer, 1793 ; it does not belong

to the Hipponycidtz ; Vertagus Schum., 1817 == Clava Marty n, 1789.

In adopting Lotorium Montf., for Triton (preoccupied), why retain

the family name Tritonidaef For Oyprtea turdus Lam., 1822, the

name C. ovata Perry, 1811, is adopted, and for Fusus turricula

Kiener, F. forceps Perry. Latrunculus Gray, is used instead of

Ji.burna Lam., 1822 not 1801. The work is illustrated by four very

finely executed plates containing 87 figures, and is by all odds the

most important paper yet published on the faunae of which it treats.

THE NAUTILUS.

VOJ,. XV. FEBRUARY, 19O2. No. 10.

NOTES ON ASHMUNELLA.

BY T. 1). A. (MMJKKRKl.L AND MAKY (.'<)(.» I'KK.

A large series of specimens from Manzanares Valley and Canon

Diablo, near Rowe, N. JM., shows that the A. thomsoniana type is

well divided into two races, to which the names thomsoniana and

porterce are applicable. The Manzanares Valley specimens are to

be designated portera;, although the basal tooth is in most cases

scarcely double, the inner denticle being reduced to a slight callosity.

The Canon Diablo form, coming from a somewhat higher altitude,

is referred to thomsoniana, although the basal tooth is often double as

in porterce. The fact is, that the character of the basal tooth,

whether double or single, is highly variable, and not to be relied on

to separate races. On the other hand, the size is much more dis-

tinctive. The following measurements of the greatest diameter

of the shell are worth giving:

(1) A. thomsoniana from Canon Diablo. 9 are between 11 and

12 mm., 49 are 12, 52 are 12+, 53 are 13, 9 are 13 + , 1 is 14, and

1 is 14^ mm.

(2) A. porterce from Manzanares Valley. 1 is 13+, 3 are 14, 13

are 14+, 16 are 15, 10 are 15 + , 5 are 16, 6 are 16+, 1 is 18 mm.

(3) A. porterce from Beulah. 2 are 14, 12 are 14+, 17 are 15, 6

are 15+, 3 are 16 mm.

If any one will take the trouble to plot out the curves from these

statistics, they will find that two and three are the same, with the

mode at 15, and the skew towards the smaller size. On ihe other

hand, one will be found to have an utterly different curve, with the

110 THE NAUTILUS.

mode at 13, the skew strongly towards the smaller size, and the ex-

treme of large size barely overlapping the minimum size of porter a.*

A few of the Canon Diablo thomsoniana have the mouth of the

shell very strongly contracted, so as to look like a distinct species,

but they are connected by intermediates with the ordinary form.

Albinos have been found of both forms :

A. thomsoniana mut. alba, nov. Canon Diablo, N. M., one.

A. porter <z mut. alba, nov. Manzanares Valley, N. M., a few.

At the monthly meeting of the Las Vegas Science Club, held

November 12, reported in Science December 27, 1901, p. 1009, the

authors exhibited a series of a supposed new species of AshmimeUa,

" proposed to be called Ashmimella autiqua, found fossil in the Pleis-

tocene beds of Las Vegas, N. M. It resembled in most respects A.

thomsoniana, but wholly lacked the parietal tooth." Upon further

examination it appears that the parietal callus has scaled off in the

specimens described, and it is likely that the shells are identical with

the living A.

COLLECTING SHELLS IN MONTANA.

BY MORTON J. ELROD, UNIV. OF MONTANA.

[Continued from page 104-~\

Limnsea stagnalis L., var. appressa Say.

The first shells of this species were taken early in the year 1900

in a small pool along the Bitter Root river. A large spring supplies

the pool with clear, fresh water. In this pond a good series of both

living and dead shells was secured. A couple of dead shells were

found in Swan Lake in August, 1900. This is over a hundred miles

to the north of the Bitter Root locality, while water connection be-

tween the two places would be much more than double the distance.

* A. porter x was taken the past summer at the head of Dailey Canon, in the

uppermost part of the Canadian Zone. The specimen is quite like the Beulah

ones.

f A co-type of A. antiyi/a, received from Mr. Cockerell, bears out this conclu-

sion. It is without doubt A. t. porterse. The passage quoted above from

Science is the complete original account of antiqua. — ED.

THK NAUTILUS. 1 1 1

Limnaa palnstris Miill.

Taken from a pond near Bitter Root river. Quite abundant,

several hundred specimens taken. Also taken in abundance in

standing and quiet waters in tlie creeks on Flatliead Indian reserva-

tion. At the upper end of Flatliead Lake there is a great deal of

marshy country tributary to the lake and to Flatliead river. In

the lowland bordering on the lake, which had been overflowed and

later dried off, large quantities of dead shells were observed. In-

deed the shells were so abundant one could not walk without mash-

ing large numbers. In still other places the shells were yet alive in

the sloughs, in great abundance. Along the Bitter Root river the

shells were living in the same waters with Aphxa hypnorum. Mr.

Earl Douglass collected a large series in the Madison lakes, southern

O <—•

part of the State, in summer of 1900.

Linmcea nuttalliana Lea.

Abundant in the region with L. stagnalis L.. var. appressa Say,

L. palustris Miill., and P. trivolvis Say. A hundred or more speci-

mens secured.

Limncea emarginata Say, var. innnfaua Elrod.

Shell large, globose, thin and fragile; of a light horn color, in

many cases tending to light pearl gray; in many instances there is

an abrupt line between the lighter portion and the horn colored por-

tion, the lighter portion being next the aperture ; the last whorl con-

stituting about three-fourths the length of the shell ; malleations ob-

scure or absent, distinguishable in occasional specimens; lines of

growth fine, and quite regular ; spire short, consisting of three ob-

liquely twisted whorls and the nucleus ; suture well impressed ;

aperture about two-thirds as long as wide ; outer lip thin, acute,

inner lip reflexed near its junction with the columella.

Length '27 mm. Greatest width 13.25 mm. Width of aperture

10.25 mm. Length of aperture 14.70 mm. Whorls, 5.

The species is found sparingly in Sin-yale-a-min lake in the Mis-

sion range of western Montana, and abundantly in McDonald lake,

some 15 miles north of the former. A few were taken in Swan

lake, on the opposite side of the range. At Sin-yale-a-min lake an

entire afternoon was spent in securing a couple of dozen specimens.

The method was to row o\er to the lake outlet in the canvas boat,

112 THE NAUTILUS.

secure location where the water was not too deep, and fish with a

silk butterfly net attached to a long handle. When a shell was

sighted the boat was brought to a standstill so the surface would be-

come quiet, and the net was lowered with the edge of the wire beneath

the shell. As soon as the shell was touched the animal let go all

hold, and if it did not roll into the (olds of the net would settle

among the large pebbles. To secure it then in three or four feet of

water was impossible. Naturally, the failures were as frequent as

the successes. As stated, the afternoon produced a couple of dozen

shells, two dripping individuals, each with aching backs and weary

eyes, and a torn net and wet boat.

Aplexa hypnorwn L., var. tryoni Currier.

The Bitter Root river valley flows to the north along the flank

of the Bitter Root mountains, which are on the western bank.

From these mountains numerous creeks enter the river, and many

ponds have been made by these creeks and by the changing river,

the river is about 100 miles long, and flosvs through one of the finest

and most fertile valleys in the State. In one of these ponds, near

the juncture of the Bitter Root and Missoula, this species was found

rather abundantly.

Physa heterostropha Say (?).

Specimens referred by Dall to this species were collected at

Missoula in June, 1898, September 17, 1897, and April 8, 1900, on

which latter date they were depositing eggs. In working over the

Physa collected in Western Montana, I have read with much inter-

est the complaint of O. A. Crandall in THE NAUTILUS for June,

1892, in which he raises the question, "Is there such as species as

that described by Say? If so, what is it?"

Physa ampiiUacea Gld.

The species seems widely distributed in Western Montana. It

has been taken in Bitter Root river, in Lakes Sin-yale-a-min and

McDonald in the Mission mountains, and sparingly in Flathead lake.

Physa gyrina Say.

A few of this species taken with P. heterostropha and P. ampullacea.

Finding these three species together leads to suspicion that the

species may not be distinct. A single shell from the Flathead In-

dian reserve (Crow creek) seems to belong to this species.

THE NAUTILUS. 1 13

THE SHELL-BEAKING MOLLUSCA OF RHODE ISLAND.

BY HORACE F. CARPENTER.

[Continued.]

Genus PECTEN Brug. 1789.

The pectens, fan-shells or scallops have on each side of the beaks

a broad expansion of shell called ears; beaks touching; hinge tooth-

less, with a triangular pit for the cartilage. The animal has no

syphons; the mantle is free, its margins double, the inner one

fringed and hanging down like a curtain, and the outer one with a

row of dots shown to be eyes. They move about very rapidly by sud-

denly opening and shutting their valves, and can jump two or three

feet ; they seem to have the power of choosing the direction, for they

can, by a sudden jerk, jump backwards or to either side, skip along

the surface of the water or sink to the bottom. I never saw one

jump forwards. We have in New England three species, two

of which inhabit Rhode Island.

208. Pecten irradians Lam.

Syn.: Pecten concentricus Say, Con., DeKay, Gld.

Shell nearly round ; valves convex, with about twenty elevated,

rounded ribs radiating from the beaks, the ribs and spaces between

of nearly equal breadth ; ears nearly equal ; interior shining ; on the

exterior the ribs and spaces are both rounded while on the interior

the corresponding spaces are flat. Length three inches, height two

and a half, breadth one. The so-called eyes in this species, of which

there are from forty to sixty, situated along the edges of the mantle

in both valves, are of a beautiful bright-blue color. This is the

common scallop and is a very abundant shell in Rhode Island, but

owing to the great demand for this luscious bivalve in the market,

the State of Rhode Island has passed laws prohibiting their being

taken through the summer months of each year. The "scallop law "

is off on the first day of September, and on the morning of that day

hundreds of boats may be seen in our waters at sunrise eager to be

first on the grounds where the scallop beds are. Thousands upon

thousands of bushels of pectens are dredged during the following

three or four months, and if it were not for the law allowing the

young a chance to get their growth, one season would completely

exhaust the supply. The entire animal is not used for food, like the

114

THE NAUTILUS.

other edible species of mollusca, such as clams, quohogs, mussels and

oysters, but only the large muscle in the centre which holds the

valves together; this muscle in adult pectens is about an inch in

diameter and the same in length. The shells are subject to great

variety in color, sometimes having one valve pure white and the

other yellow, red, purple, or mottled and banded with several colors,

when young; the adult shells generally lose their brilliant shades

and become of a uniform slate tint, with one valve, however, always

lighter than the other. The young shells frequent the shore and are

very active ; I have often put out my hand to take one, when just as

I almost had it, it would suddenly shut its valves and skip away out

of reach. At times I have seen them at Apponang so abundant that

they were piled up in layers six or eight inches deep, and at other

times not one could be seen. The adults inhabit deeper waters and

are dredged from the bottom from boats.

209. Pecten tenuicostatus Migh. and Ad.

Syn.: Pecten mayellanicus Con., Gld., Stimp, DeKay.

Shell large, round, inequivalve, lower one nearly flat, upper one

convex, ears nearly equal ; surface with fine radiating, punctured

lines; lower valve white; upper valve brownish-red, dingy; interior

white, glossy and smooth, with a different set of radiating lines from

those on the exterior. Length five inches, height five and a half,

breadth one and a half.

This is a northern species, found of large size on the coast of

Maine and everywhere north of Cape Cod ; smaller ones are obtained

from the stomachs of fishes. It inhabits deep water off Block Island,

and in southerly storms is driven up in large numbers on the shore

at Point Judith.

Family Anomiidoe.

Shells thin, pearly, with a notch or hole through the right or

lower valve near the beaks, to which is attached a plug, closing the

orifice and also serves to attach the shell to other objects. There are

two genera, Placunanomia and Anomia, divided into several sub-

genera.

Genus ANOMIA, Linne., 1767.

The animal of Anomia differs from Ostrea in having a small foot,

one of the peculiar characteristics of oysters being the entire absence

of any foot.

THE NAUTILUS. 1 1 ~>

The shells of Anomia have one yalve convex and the other flat or

a little concave ; the fiat valve is perforated and the plug which lills

the hole and partly attached to the valve. The .shells are seldom

found free but generally attached to oysters or other shells or stones.

There are twenty species, two of which inhabit New England.

( T» be

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW UNIO FROM TENNESSEE.

I'.Y WM. A. MARSH, A I. EDO, IIJ.INOIS.

QUADRULA ANDREWSII, n. sp. Shell smooth, triangular, solid,

beaks swollen, incurved, shell very inequilateral, compressed and

striate at the base, obliquely rounded before, obtusely biangular be-

hind, ligament rather short, light brown, epidermis reddish brown,

maculate, growth lines numerous, rather rough, umbonal slope

slightly rounded, posterior slope flat, cordate, with very indistinct

lines from beaks to basal margin, beak sculpture unknown, cardinal

teeth thick, very much silicate, single in right, double in left valve,

lateral teeth thick, short, and slightly curved, anterior cicatrices

small and deep, posterior cicatrices distinct, small and deep, shell

cavity rather deep, cavity of the beaks deep and angular, nacre silver

white and iridescent.

Diameter 1.1 ; length 1.0 ; breadth 2.

Habitat : Holston river, Tenn., Mrs. Geo. Andrews.

Remarks : Several years ago Mrs. Geo. Andrews, of Knoxville,

Tennessee, sent me a number of these shells. I never knew where

to place them, but recently, on sending some of them to Mr. Simp-

son for examination, I was satisfied they were distinct. They be-

long to the group of which trigonus, Lea, is the type, but in no

way do they resemble that species. There is no species which they

closely resemble, except globatus, Lea, but it is a very much less

inflated shell than that species, having a different colored epidermis,

rougher and coarser growth lines, at least one-half of the disk is

covered with wide, dark green spots ; between these rows of macula-

tions are very narrow, dark green interrupted rajs.

The outline of globatus is rounded, while my shell is triangular.

116 THE NAUTILUS.

I name this very interesting species in lionor of. Mrs. Geo.

Andrews, a lady who has sent me very many interesting shells from.

Holston river. Tennessee.

NOTICES OF NEW JAPANESE LAND SHELLS.

15Y II. A. PILSBKV.

Chloritis perpunctatus n. sp. Shell resembling C. fro gilt's in shape

and general appearance, but differing in the very narrow umbilicus,

half covered by the dilated columellar margin of the otherwise simple

peristome, and by the extremely dense covering of exceedingly short

hairs, almost exactly as in C. pumila Gude, which differs from G.

perpunctatus in being imperforate, with a higher spire. Whorls 4, the

inner ones flatly coiled, the last slightly and slowly descending.

Aperture slightly oblique, broadly lunate. Alt. 8, diam. 13.7 mm.

Totsugawa, Yamato, with C. fragilis (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 843).

Ganesella sororcula n. sp. Shell narrowly umbilicate, globose-

conic ; white (fossil), encircled with scarlet bands above and below

the periphery, with others variable in occurrence at the suture and

within the umbilicus. Smoothish, lightly marked with irregular

growth-wrinkles and densely, minutely engraved with spiral striaa.

Spire conic, with slightly convex outlines, the apex very obtuse.

Whorls Oij, quite convex, the last more or less angular at the peri-

phery, hardly descending in front, moderately convex beneath.

Aperture oblique, the outer lip expanded, basal lip narrowly reflexed,

columella subvertical, nearly straight, with reflexed, dilated margin.

Alt. l'J.5, diam. 20.5 mm. Alt. 17.5, diam. 19 mm.

Kikai-ga-shima, Osumi (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 834).

This species is closely allied to G. Laryillierli, of Great Riukiu,

and G. Adelines, of Oshima. It is smaller and less conic than

either. G. Adelince has a larger umbilicus, a peripheral band and

more whorls. G. Laryillierti, besides being larger and more conic,

wants the crowded spiral lines. It is found fossil with various other

land shells, some of which I have already noticed elsewhere.

Ganesella optima n. sp. Shell obliquely perforate, elevated, pyra-

midal, thin, pale-yellow corneous, whitish above, glossy ; lightly

marked with oblique growth wrinkles ; faintly, almost imperceptibly

striate spirally, but marked with minute whitish lines giving the

appearance of spiral striation. Spire straightly pyramidal. Whorls

THE NAUTILUS. 117

7jj, slightly convex, the last slightly angular at the periphery in

front, a little descending to the aperture, convex beneath, Aperture

oblique, the peristome thin, everywhere arcuate, narrowly expanded

and reflexed, triangularly dilated at the columellar insertion. Alt.

14^ to l.H, diain. 1<H mm.

Suimura, Prov. Awa. Shikoku Island (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 824.)

A charming species, unlike any other Japanese Ganesella in its

elevated shape.

Macrochlamys cerasina n. sp. Shell perforate, depressed, with

low-conic spire, dark-reddish amber colored, brilliantly glossy, with

faint growth-lines, no spiral stria?. Whorls 5^, convex, slowly in-

creasing, separated by impressed sutures, the last whorl perceptibly

angular at the periphery in front, convex beneath. Aperture slightly

oblique, lunate, the lip simple and thin, abruptly dilated and reflexed

in a minute triangle at the columellar insertion. Alt. a. 7, diam.

8.6 mm.

Tobishima, Prov. Ugo (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 838).

M. cerasina var. awaensis n. v. Shell paler, with lower spire and

(5 more closely coiled whorls. Alt. 4.2, diam. 7.8 mm.

Tairiuji, Awa, Shikoku Island. Although remote from the pre-

ceding geographically, this form seems to me to be too similar for

specific separation.

Eulota (Ocelot-its) caviconus n. sp. Shell small, thin, with a large,

deep umbilicus, conic above, flattened beneath, reddish-brown, lustre-

less, the surface roughened by short cuticular processes like adnate

hairs, usually in part worn off. Outlines of spire a little convex,

the apex obtuse. Whorls about 7^, the earlier a little convex, the

later ones flattened ; the last whorl acutely carinate at the periphery,

abruptly and deeply descending in front, contracted behind the lip.

Aperture small, subhorizontal, oblong, the peristome expanded above,

reflexed below, the ends approaching. Alt. 4, diam. 6^ mm.

Goto, Uzen (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 815).

This peculiar species is related to E. cavicollis Pils , differing in

the flattened whorls and carinnte periphery.

Mandarina exoptata n. sp. Shell narrowly umbilicate, depressed,

biconvex, solid, light brown, the early whorls darker. Surface

beautifully sculptured with crowded, spirally engraved, crimped lines,

cutting irregular growth-wrinkles, the spirals obsolete immediately

around the umbilicus. Spire low conic. Whorls 4^, the first 1| or

118 THE NAUTILUS.

2 forming the large nepionio shell. Last whorl wide, strongly car-

inate, a little sunken above and below the median keel, scarcely de-

scending in front, convex beneath. Aperture oblique, wide, the lip

obtuse, expanded above and outwardly, reflexed and thickened be-

low. Alt. 14 to 15^, diam. 23 mm.

Hahajima, Ogasawara (Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 805).

An exceedingly distinct species, like a thick Plectotropis. It is

quite unlike the larger carinate species Mandarina Pallasiana.

Microcystina hahajimana n. sp. Shell very minutely perforate or

closed, depressed subglobose. Amber colored, translucent, brilliantly

glossy, smooth except for some very slight growth-wrinkles. Spire

quite convex. Whorls 5, nearly flat, the sutures but lightly im-

pressed, narrowly margined. Last whorl faintly angular in front,

convex beneath, impressed in the center. Aperture lunate, the

peristome simple and acute ; columella thickened above and bluntly

toothed. Alt. 4, diam. 6^ mm.

Hahajima, Ogasawara (Bonin Islands). No. 803 of Mr. Hirase's

collection.

Genus HIRASEA nov.

Small disc-shaped or biconvex, perforate shells, pale and of nearly

uniform tint, finely rib-striate, the aperture crescentic, the peristome

contracted, thickened with a very heavy callus rib within. Type

Hirasea sinuosa.

This genus belongs apparently to the Zonitidce, or possibly to the

Endodontidce. It has some resemblance in the thick lip-rib to

Brazieria or Microphynra, but there is no parietal barrier. The

Philippine groups Pliotropis and GJyptoconus have some similar

characters, but they are thin shells with no lip-rib. The species

now known may be distinguished as follows :

a. Upper margin of the lip drawn back, the basal margin project-

ing beyond it. Spire low, composed of 5| very narrow and

convex whorls, the last angular at the shoulder, very con-

vex beneath, perforate ; aperture narrowly crescentic ; lip

expanded and arched forward in the middle below, retracted

at the upper termination. Alt. 2.1, diam. 4.3 mm. Haha-

jima, Ogasawara (Hirase, no. 802). H. sinuosa, n. sp.

a1. Aperture normally oblique, the upper margin projecting for-

ward ; form biconvex. Whorls 4|, with an acute, com-

THE NAUTILDS. 1 19

pressed keel along sutures and at the periphery ; subper-

forate ; aperture lunar, oblique, a little contracted; finely

rib-striate above and below. Alt. 2, diam. 4 mm. Haha-

jima (Ilirase, no. 801). H. nesiotica, n. sp.

A third form was sent from Chichijima, Ogasawara (no. 800),

similar to H. nesiotica, but much smaller, diam. 3.2 mm., with

barely 4 whorls. This may be called H. chickijiinana. Subse-

quently some five additional new species from Hahajima have been

received.

GENERAL NOTES.

HELIX ASFEKSA INCREASING IN CALIFORNIA. — Complaints are

being made that the spotted snail, Helix as-persa, is becoming too

common in the gardens of San Jose, Oakland and Los Angeles,

California, and that it is injuring many flowers and vegetables.

This species was introduced into California from Europe many years

ago, presumably by a Frenchman who considered it a choice delicacy

for his table. For a long time the snails were confined to a small

plot of ground in the city of San Jose, but of late they have evidently

resolved upon a " policy of expansion," and are spreading rapidly

and are liable to cause serious mischief. It is to be hoped that Cali-

fornians will cultivate the French taste and thus turn the tables on

the molluscan invaders — JOSIAH KEEP.

TRUNCATELLA SUBCYLINDRICA Linnauis.

This species has been credited to the West Indies by various

writers, even to the present time, although Linnaeus and all the

early English authors gave it as a species of Europe. Ball and

Simpson, in their Mollusca of Porto Rico, 1901, Bull. Fish Com-

mission, p. 436, give its range as " Porto Rico; adventitious in

England; common in Florida and many localities in the West

Indies."

The Linnrean species is in fact a common European shell, occur-

ring as far north as England ; thinner, more transparent, and typic-

ally smoother, than any Antillean Truncatella. It is commonly

found in older collections under the name T. montayui, and is prob-

ably not specifically distinct from T. truncatula Drap. The "•T.sub-

cylindrica Gray" of Binney's Terr. Moll, iv, and Land and F. W.

120 THE NAUTILUS.

Shells of N. A., pt. iii, p. 100, is a totally different thing, and as the

name is preoccupied, it must be dropped for the ribbed species there

defined. If T. subcylindrica L. occurs at all in the West Indian

area or Florida, which I strongly doubt, its presence there is " ad-

ventitious." All of which may be readily verified by a reference to

the works of Linnaeus, Hanley, Thorpe, and a collection containing

a series of European TruncateUidce — H. A. PiJsbry.

The collection of the late Dr. Wm. D. Hartman has been pin--

chased by the Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh. It is especially rich in

the genera Partala and ffelicina, the Melanians, both American and

exotic, Union/dee, and Polynesian marine shells. It contains most

of the types of new species described by Dr. Hartman, others being

in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences. The AcJiati-

nellldie were purchased some years ago by the Hamburg Museum.

In acquiring this collection the trustees of the Carnegie Institute

have made an extremely important addition to their museum, as the

formation and study of this collection was the life-long work of Dr.

Hartman. The specimens are well identified, as we know by frequent

use of them, and afford a solid basis for concliologic work to students

in Pittsburgh and the adjacent cities of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

TAMIOSOMA CONRAD, A SESSILE CIRRIPEDE. — Prof. \V. H. Dall

lias recently examined specimens of this problematic fossil, formerly

supposed to be molluscan, and finds that the supposed tubes are the

vesicular, elongated bases of a Balanus-Yike cirripede — Science,

Jan. 3, 1902.

PLANOKBIS BICARINATUS STRIATUS n. var. — Shell similar to that

of typical bicarinatus, but with a deeper, narrower umbilicus, and

with the spiral lines raised, very numerous and distinct, and with

the longitudinal sculpture almost obsolete. Diameter 10, altitude of

aperture G mill.

From sewer excavation, eight feet below the surface of the ground,

Cold Spring Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, collected by Charles E.

Brown.

This pleistocene fossil, of which no living examples have yet been

seen, seems to differ from the typical bicarinatus sufficiently for

varietal distinction. Twelve specimens have been examined, which

are all uniform with the above description, and which are readily

distinguishable from typical bicarinatus. — FRANK COLLINS BAKER.

THE NAUTILUS.

VOJ,. XV. MARCH, 1902. No. 11.

A REVISION OF THE CARINATE VALVATAS OF THE UNITED STATES.

BY BRYANT WALKER.

» Valvata tricarinata was originally described by Say in 1817 as

Cyclostoma tricarinata. It is one of the most abundant of the

smaller operculates of the Northern States and Canada, ranging from

the Atlantic coast westwardly at least as far as Manitoba and Iowa,

and south to Virginia and the Ohio river. It has three well-marked

varieties, which differ from the typical form only in the smaller

number or entire absence of the revolving carinae.

In 1841 Dr. Isaac Lea described a Valvata from the Schuylkill

river, Pa., as V. bicarinata.

Haldeman. in his "Monograph" (Ho) doubtfully refers Lea's

species to V. tricarinata as a bicarinate variety. W. G. Binney, in

1865 (L. & F. W. Shells III, p. 9), states that from an examination

of both Say's and Lea's types he is u convinced of the identity of the

two." Try on in his Continuation of Haldeman (1870) does not

mention the subject, and evidently acquiesced in Binney's decision.

In this he has been followed by all subsequent writers ?o far as I

have been able to ascertain, with one exception. Mr. "W. A. Marsh

in his " Brief Notes on the Land and Fresh Water Shells of Mercer

Co., 111." (Conchologists' Exchange II, p. 80, 1887), separated the

two forms and recognized the validity of Lea's species.*

From a careful examination of the material in my possession I am

* The validity of V. bicarinata has been recognized by all recent Philadel-

phian conchologists. See NAUTILUS. VIII, p. 138. — En.

122

THE NAUTILUS.

convinced that Lea's bicarinata is not the bi car in ate form of Say's

tricarinata, but is a distinct species, which also lias a tricarinate

form. I have the typical form of V. bicarinata from Columbia and

Philadelphia, Pa., and Port Oram, N. J., and the tricarinate form

from Muscatine, la., and Utica, 111. Within the last few weeks I

have had occasion to examine critically hundreds of specimens of V-

s:

J.

tricarinata in its various aspects [from Michigan, and a considerable

number from at least ten different states and Canada, and I have yet

to see the first specimen that in any way seems to connect the two.

In comparison with V- tricarinata, Lea's species is larger, clis-

coidal ; the upper surface of the whorls slopes downwards from the

carina to the suture, giving a concave appearance to the upper surface

THE NAUTILUS. 123

as a whole; the spire is depressed, not appearing above the superior

carina of the body whorl, the umbilicus is very wide and more shal-

low, exhibiting all the whorls. In tricarinata, on the other hand,

the whorls are more closely coiled, making a round, deep, funnel-

shaped umbilicus; the penultimate whorl is elevated and only the

apex of the spire is depressed.

The relation between the two species is very similar to that be-

tween Pyramidida perspective. Say, and striatella Anth.

The recognition of the specific distinctness of these forms not only

involves some changes in nomenclature, but also renders necessary a

re-description of the various recognized forms.

The following re-arrangement of the group is offered as an attempt

to satisfactorily differentiate the different forms.

I. Valvatct tricarinata Say (fig. 1).

Shell turbinate, thin, translucent, shining ; horn-color or pale

green ; whorls about 3^ ; flattened between the carina? ; shouldered;

the upper surface sloping upwards from the carina to the suture ;

spire elevated, depressed at the apex ; lines of growth faintly

marked; suture distinct; body whorl tricarinate, superior carina re-

volving nearly to the apex, the peripheral carina on the whorls ot

the spire being usually covered by the lower whorl ; carina? sharp,

elevated and lighter in color than the body of the shell; aperture

circular, slightly modified, however, by the carina?; lip simple,

sharp, continuous, slightly appressed to the body whorl ; umbilicus

round, deep, funnel-shaped, bordered by the inferior carina. Height

3^, width 5^ mm.

Cyclostoma tricarinata Say, Jour. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci., I, 13

(1817).

Canada and eastern United States to, at least, as far west as

Manitoba and Iowa, and south to Virginia and the Ohio River.

(Utah, Ingersoll.) As all gradations between the typical form and

the different varieties can be found in any considerable Suite of

specimens ; it is deemed best to draw the lines between the recog-

nized varieties upon the presence or absence of well-developed

carina?. Angulations of the body whorl, however acute, should not

be considered in determining the position of any particular specimen.

This species is one of the most abundant forms in the Post-

Pleistocene deposits of Michigan, and apparently was then more

124 THE NAUTlLUb.

subject to variation than at the present time. In the NAUTILUS,

XI, p. 121, will be found an account of several specimens in which

an additional carina was developed. In a large amount of material

from the marl deposits of the State recently examined, two examples

were found in which the superior and peripheral carinae are present,

but the basal one is obsolete, while in a deformed specimen from

the deposits at White Pond, N. J., only the basal one is present.

Two specimens from Michigan marl deposits have the last whorl

near the aperture, entirely separated from the body whorl. None of

these variations have been noticed so far as I am aware in recent

specimens. In the collection of the late Dr. Jas. Lewis, now in my

possession, is a sinistral specimen (fig. 4).

As these variations occur only in very few instances, they are to

be classed as individual variations or " sports," rather than as dis-

tinct forms worthy of varietal names.

Var. confusa n. v. (fig. 2). Body whorl bicarinate, peripheral

carina obsolete ; periphery rounded or angulate. Valvata tricarinata.

var. bicarinata, authors generally, not of Lea. A curious scalariform

specimen is in the collection of Mi-. J. II. Ferriss, of Joliet, 111.

(fig- 3).

Var. unicarinata DeKay. Unicarinate, peripheral and basal

carinaj obsolete, periphery rounded, base rounded or angulate.

Valvata unicarinata DeKay. N. Y. Moll., p. 118, pi. VI, f. 129

(1843).

Var. simplex Gld. Ecarinate, whorls usually more or less flat-

tened above. Valvata tricarinata var. simplex, Gld., Invert Mass.,

p. 226, f. 126 (pars.), (1841).

The citations of Valvata humeralis Say from Michigan by Miles

(Geo. Sur. Mich., p. 237, 1860) and from Canada by Bell,

Whiteaves, etc., referred to by Binney (L. & F. "W. Shells, III,

p. 14), are in all probability based upon this form.

II. Valvata bicarinata Lea (fig. 6).

•

Shell discoidal, flattened above, rather thick, shining ; horn-

colored or tinged with green ; whorls 3^, shouldered, upper surface

sloping downward from the carina to the suture, which is deeply im

pressed ; spire greatly depressed, not rising above the carina of the

body whorl when viewed from in front; lines of growth faintly

marked ; body whorl bicarinate, superior carina revolving nearly to

the apex, periphery rounded or bluntly angulate ; carina? sharp.

THE NAUTILUS. 125

elevated ; aperture nearly circular, slightly flattened abovt and modi-

fied by the carinae ; lip simple, sharp, appressed to the lower half of

the body whorl ; umbilicus wide, exhibiting all the whorls. Height

3^, width 6^ mm.

Valvata bicarinata Lea, P. A. P. S. II. 81, 83 (1841). Schuyl-

kill river, Pa. (Lea), Columbia, Pa., Philadelphia, Pa., and Port

Oram, N. J. (Walker), and Mercer Co., 111. (Marsh).

The distinguishing characteristics of this species as compared

with V. tricarinata have already been stated. The localities above

mentioned are the only ones brought to my notice, but it will prob-

ably be found in the intermediate region.

Var. normalis, n. v. (fig. 5). Body whorl tricarinate, otherwise

like the type. Muscatine, la. and Utica, 111.

As in the case of Polyyyra andrewsce W. G. Binn., the typical

form of this species is really only a variety of the real specific type.

In a single specimen from Utica, 111., collected by J. H. Ferriss, a

fourth carina is developed on the upper surface of the last whorl at

about its first third, and revolves parallel with the suture to the

aperture, the space between forming a deep groove.

III. Valvata utahensis Call. (fig. 7).

Shell turbinate, thin, translucent, shining; yellowish horn color

at the apex, white or greenish white below' ; whorls 4, convex,

regularly increasing, minutely striate, the uppermost shouldered,

with a single, well marked carina which becomes obsolete on the

body whorl ; spire obtusely elevated, apex depressed ; suture well

impressed; aperture circular, slightly angled posteriorly; lip simple,

nearly continuous, appressed to the body whorl ; umbilicus small,

round, defined by a more or less obvious angle around the base of

the shell. Height 4^, width 4^ mm. Utah Lake and Bear Lake,

Utah.

Valvata sincera \. utahensis Call, Bull. U. S. Geol. Sur., No. 11,

p. 44, PI. VI., f. 1-3 (1884). Valvata utahensis Call, Proc. Dav.

Acad. Nat. Sci. V, p. 4, PI. I, fig. 1-3 (1886).

This species, which is more nearly related to V. tricarinata var.

unicarinata than to any other of the eastern forms of Valvata, is

well characterized by its more elevated spire, more globose form, the

obsolescence of the carina? on the body whorl and the much smaller

umbilicus.

126 THE NAUTILUS.

PISIDITJM STRENGII, N. SP.

BY DR. V. STERKI.

Mussel of moderate size, regularly inflated, rather short ; beaks

slightly posterior, small, narrow, approximate, somewhat projecting

over the hinge margin ; superior and inferior margins well curved,

the supero-anterior slightly so and forming a steep slope to the some-

what angled anterior end ; the posterior end subtruncate ; scutum

and scutellum indistinct ; angles in front of and behind the beaks

slight, rounded ; shell rather thin, translucent ; surface very finely

striate, appearing smooth, with a few fine, irregular lines of growth,

and with a slight, dull gloss ; color of epiconch pale horn shading

into grayish, whitish or yellowish ; nacre almost glassy, muscle scars

very slight ; hinge fine, plate narrow; cardinal teeth small, thin;

the right one curved, its posterior end deeply cleft, the left anterior

curved or almost straight, the posterior short, oblique ; lateral teeth

small, somewhat pointed, the outer ones of the right valve quite small

but distinct ; ligament small. Long. 4, alt. 3.7, diam. 2.6 mill,

(average).

Hab.: Michigan to New York, Ohio and Indiana. It seems to be

a form mainly inhabiting smaller lakes. Perch lake, Mich., col-

lected by Mr. L. H. Streng (in whose honor the species is named)

and Dr. Kirkland ; Reed lake and Little Bostwick lake, Mich.;

Bass lake, Ind. (among shells taken from the stomach of catfish), by

Mr. L. E. Daniels; Meyer's lake, Ohio (Sterki); Little Lakes,

N. Y., found among materials in the collection of the late Dr. Jas.

Lewis, now in possession of Mr. Bryant Walker.

Pisidium strengii has a resemblance to some smaller forms of

P. abditnm Hald., nov-eboracense Pr., and with politum Sterki, but

can be recognized by its high form, the small, approximate beaks,

especially noticeable in front (or rear) aspect, the peculiar, dull gloss

of the surface, and the strongly cleft posterior end of the right car-

dinal tooth. The latter feature was found constant in normal speci-

mens from widely distant places ; but it may be added that the

species appears to be particularly inclined to abnormal, and even

monstrous formation of the cardinal teeth. As to size, shape and

general appearance, the mussel does not vary greatly, so far as seen.

This species was first noticed as different from others, and named,

in 1895. Yet, considering the great variability of our Pisidia as

well as the fact that it does not show a striking variance from others,

in general appearance, it was thought best to wait until sufficient

evidence was gained of its being really distinct.

THE NAUTILUS. 127

NOTE ON THE NAMES ELACHISTA AND PLEUROTOMARIA.

BY AV. II. CALL.

My attention has been called by Mr. Cockerell to the fact that the

name Elacliista Dall and Simpson, in the Porto Rico Report, Mol-

lusca, p. 427, 1901, is preoccupied in Lepidoptera by Treitschke,

since 1833. For this peculiar group of Bittium, typified by B. ceri-

tkidioide Dall, and which extends in time as far back as the Eocene

in both Europe and America, I would substitute the name Alabina,

in reference to its resemblance to Alaba, a name which, so far as I

am able to discover, has not hitherto been used.

I have frequently called attention to the ill-effects of the absurd

European proposition that names such as Cyprinus and Cyprina

should not be allowed to exist in nomenclature simultaneously.

Very few of those who support this view have any idea of the havoc

in nomenclature which the rigid enforcement of such a rule would

produce, with no benefit, but a very serious detriment to science.

Finding the name Nassaria challenged on this ground, I hunted up

the earlier use (1806) in Dumeril's Zoologie Analytique and took the

occasion to make a full list of Dumeril's names, which all end in

arius and are all synonyms. Some appear in the text and others in

the Latin index only, with references to the pages where the French

equivalent is to be found. Among the latter I discovered Pleuro-

tomarms, Dumeril's name for Pleurotoma. If the idiotic rule above-

mentioned was put in force, this superfluous synonym would deprive

us of the right to use Pleurotomaria J. Sowerby, which dates only

from 1821, and perhaps also P/eiirotomarfum Blainville, another

rendering of Defrance's French name, which dates from 1825. I

may add that any rule admitting anonymous names, taken into con-

sideration with the above-mentioned one, would upset about half of

the best-known names in Molluscan Zoology, including such as Olwa,

Cyprsea, etc. Can any one mention any good results to be obtained

from such a course ?

THE ORIGINAL LOCALITY OF LIMNJEA AMPLA MIGHELS.

BY OLOF O. NYLANDER.

In 1842 Mr. Alexander ~W. Longfellow discovered in Second

Eagle Lake Limncea amp/a. Prof. Edward L. Morse visited the

same lake in 1851 and called it Mud Lake. On the maps of Maine

it is generally called Second Lake, but Mud Lake is the only name

128 THE NAUTILUS.

used among the people. It is located on the east branch of Fish

river, between Long and Cross lakes, in Township XVII, Range 4,

Arooslook county, Maine. Some parts of Fish river have been

visited every summer since 1897, and the shells collected published

at various times in the NAUTILUS. Mud Lake (Second Lake) being

of special interest to conchologists, as Limnata amphi was described

from specimens found in this lake, I examined it for the first time

in August and September of last year (1901 ).

The name Limncea ampla is in use from Maine to Alaska by dif-

ferent collectors. The question arose at an early date if L. ampla

really could be a distinct species or only a variety of some previously

described form. The best authors agree it is only a variety of Say's

L. emarginata (also described from Maine in 1821) and my observa-

tions go to confirm the same.

Mud Lake is about 2^ miles long and one wide, shallow, with

mud, gravelly and rocky bottom, the forest growing all around it

down to the water's edge. There are no settlements upon the lake,

and in all probability it looks just the same as when Mr. Longfellow

first collected his shells in 1842. A paper privately published, 4 pp.,

4 plates and 85 figs., illustrating the variation of Limncea emarginata

of Fish river, was prepared in Oct., 1901, and a more elaborate one

will appear when all the lakes on Fish river have been examined

and a map prepared.

A careful survey was made in every part of Mud Lake and col-

lections made in all parts of it from the shore to 15 feet in depth,

and the following species were obtained :

Physa ancillaria Say. A few thin, fragile shells, nearly as clear

as glass, were dredged in 3 to 6 feet of water at the upper end of the

lake on muddy bottom.

Limncea emarginata Say. Very abundant at the inlet in all stages

of growth. (The original locality of Limncea ampla Mighels.)

Smaller colonies were found in the upper part of the lake and on the

left side of lake near the outlet.

Planorbis companulatus Say. Dredged.

Planorbis bicarinatas Say. Dredged.

Planorbis Inrsutus Gld. Dredged in the lake and the thorough-

fares above and below the lake ; very variable.

Planorbis parvus Say.

Ancyius parallelus Hald. One specimen in thoroughfare below

the lake.

Valvata tricarinata Say. One specimen.

Valvata sincera Say. One specimen in the lake and a few in the

thoroughfare below the lake.

Amnicola Hmosa Say. Common.

Unio complanatus Sol. Common.

Margaritana undulata Say. Few dead shells at the inlet, and the

thoroughfare between Long and Mud Lakes.

THE NAUTILUS. 129

Anodonta fragilis Lam. Common (small forms).

Sphcerium striatinum Lam. Living and dead shells abundant on

rocky bottom in the thoroughfare between Mud and Cross Lakes.

Calyculina secnris Prime. At the inlet not many found.

Pisidium pauperculutn nylanderi Sterki. Few specimens.

Pisidium ferrngineum Prime. Few very fine specimens at the

inlet.

Caribou, Maine, Feb., 1902.

COLLECTING SHELLS IN MONTANA.

BY' MORTON J. ELROD, UNIV. OF MONTANA.

[Continued from page 112 '/]

Limax montanus Ingersoll. One specimen taken at Missoula, June

29, '97. Slugs are rarely seen in this region.

Euconulus fu/vus Drap. A few specimens taken near Missoula,

June 5, '97.

Succinea nultalliana Lea. At the upper end of Flathead lake, in

a swampy bog, quantities of Limnaea palustris Mull, with dark

shells, were discovered. Among these was an occasional Phtnorbis

trivolvis Say. Four specimens of S. nuttalliana Lea, were all that

could be found, though diligent search was made. These delicate

shells appear to be very scarce, since they have been taken no place

else.

Polygyra devia Old. var. hemphiJU W. G. B. On May 8, 1900,

Arbor Day, we took to the woods along the beautiful Lo Lo creek,

south of Missoula, and extending up into the Bitter Root mountains

a distance of some 75 miles. Lunch was eaten some four miles

from the mouth of the creek, when we sought for specimens along

the banks of the stream in overflowed pools. Among and in the

abundant fresh deer-tracks were found scattered specimens of this

species and P. toivnsendiana Lea, var. ptychophora A. D. Br. The

species was not abundant, only about 15 being taken. They were

much scattered, in holes, under decaying vegetation, difficult to

discover.

Polygyra townsendiana Lea, var. ptychophora A. D. Br. These

were taken rather abundantly, some 60 being the result of a two

hours' search along the Lo Lo creek on May 8, 1900, in connection

with P. devia Gld., var. hemphtili W. G. B. For details see under

the latter species for information. Also found in small numbers at

other places near Missoula. The species was also taken at both

McDonald lake and Sin-yale-a-min lake in the Mission mountains,

a couple of dozen being taken at the former place and but a few at

the latter.

Zonitoides arboreus Say. A half dozen of these little shells taken

at Missoula June 5, 1897.

130 THE NAUTILUS.

Pyramidula striatella Anth. Only a very few of this species taken

near Missoula in June, 1897.

Pyramidula elrodi Pils. This beautiful shell has been termed by

an admiring friend " the queen of the Pyramidulas." It has thus

far been found only along the banks of McDonald lake in the Mis-

sion mountains of Montana, living on the crags and among the loose

talus. The first collecting produced some forty specimens, all dead.

During the summer of 1900 about three quarts were secured. It

will be interesting to the reader to give some of the opinions regard-

ing this shell. For beauty the quotation above is certainly very

flattering. W. G. Binney writes, Oct. 12, 1900, "I call it a de-

pressed form of Hemphill's Wasatchensis. You might make a dozen

species out of my series, and feel like tearing your hair afterwards

in despair ! " Dr. W. H. Dall says " the shell is larger than any

strigosa I ever saw, and differs in sculpture from any in our collec-

tion. Strigosa, var. Hemphilli has the same form, but its sculpture

is predominantly spiral and the shell the usual size. Conchologically

speaking, it is a coarsely sculptured form of Stearns' shell (circum-

carinata)." Dr. H. A. Pilsbry considers it sufficiently different from

any existing species to be described as a distinct species.

THE SHELL-BEAKING MOLLUSCA OF RHODE ISLAND.

BY HORACE F. CARPENTER.

[Conclusion.']

210. Anomia acukata, Gmel.

Shell small, round ; beaks obtuse, terminal ; surface covered with

fine hairy, radiating lines on the upper or convex valve; lower valve

thin, smooth and flat, color yellowish white or gray ; interior shin-

ing ; aperture circular. Length and height about one-half inch each.

Habitat from Long Island to Greenland and northern coasts of

Europe, rare south of Cape Cod. It has been found at Greenport

and Montauk, L. I. (S. Smith); Stonington, Conn., 4 to 5 fathoms;

Off Gay Head, 10 fathoms, but as yet no specimens have been ob-

tained in R. I. waters. Its station is among roots of fuci, attached

to stones and shells.

211. Anomia glabra, Verrill, 1872.

Syn : Anomia ephrppium, Gld. and American authors, non Linne.

Anomia electrica, Gld. (Binney's), non Linne. Anomia squamula,

Gld. (young), non Linne.

Shell rounded, oval or irregular in form ; beaks small, pointed,

not quite reaching the margin; substance of the shell scaly, consist-

ing of numerous overlapping layers of pearly material resembling

talc, of a greenish tinge in living specimens — this substance in dead

THE NAUTILUS. 131

shells is rubbed off, showing the golden and silvery hues of the real

surface ; upper valve convex, lower valve flat, with an ovate aper-

ture which reaches the margin by a fissure. Diameter about one

inch.

Habitat from Maine to Florida, but rare and local north of Cape

Cod. It is sometimes very abundant in R. I. and at other times

quite rare. Generally in the fall months it is seen adhering to small

stones between tides at Opponang in Greenwich Bay, but during the

rest of the year it is rare to find one near the shore, its station being

among oyster beds. When growing upon the valves of Pccten

irradians, as it does sometimes, the Anomia conforms to the shape of

the Pecten and is ribbed like that species.

The Anomia ephippium of Linnseus is a very common European

shell, and the great naturalist was deceived in our American shell,

supposing it to be the same species, and called it by the same name,

giving as its habitat, Pennsylvania. All authors since have known

it under that name, even down to Dall's revision of the Mollusca of

Mass., Mar. 10, 1870, but Prof. A. E. Verrill has shown it to be a

distinct species and named it Anomia glabra, V., Am. Jour. Sci., iii,

213, 187-2.

The shell described in Binney's Gould, second edition, under the

name of Anomia electrica, Linne, is found among oysters and is dis-

tinguished from A. glabia by its sulphur yellow color, its defined

edge and its very convex upper valve. It is generally distorted,

semi-transparent and not so scaly as the preceding species. I think

it is merely a variety, and the variety is much more common with

us than the type.

Family Ostreidae.

The oysters commenced in the Carboniferous and are found in

every age since to the present time. Some of the fossil oysters are

two feet in length. Of the living species, the most peculiar in its

habitat is the tree oyster, whieh grows upon the roots of the man-

grove. There is but one genus in this family and about 70 species.

212. Ostrea borealts, Lam.

Syn.: Ostrea Canadensis, Brug, Lam, Hanley.

213. Ostrea Virginica, Lam.

Syn.; Ostrea Virginiana, Lister, Sby, Gld.; 0. rostrata maxima,

Chem.; 0. elonyata, Solander.

These two species are so variable in shape that it is impossible to

give an accurate description of them. They are very irregular and

inequivalve, the larger valve generally attached to some object and

the smaller one moving forward as the shell grows. 0. borealis is

obliquely rounded ovate, with short curved beaks, while 0. Virginica

is long and norrow, with long and pointed beaks. In both species

the large valve is the lower one and the upper valve is the smallest,

flatter and smoother; surface of borealis flaky, greenish, that of

132 THE NAUTILUS.

Virginica somewhat lead color. Interior chalky or greenish white,

with a dark violet muscular impression in the centre.

A. Virginica sometimes attains a length of twelve to fifteen inches,

but seldom over three inches in breadth, while in borealis the

breadth is about one-half the length ; specimens six inches in length

are about three in breadth.

Oysters have many enemies, among which are sponges, star-fish,

drills and man. The drills or borers, Urosalpinx cinerea, are ex-

tremely abundant in our bay, and can destroy a great many oysters

in a short time.

Ostrea edulis of Europe is considered by some authors to be iden-

tical with our northern oysters. I cannot see enough resemblance

in either shell or animal to agree with them. Experienced oyster-

eaters can tell the difference between borealis and Virginica in-

stantly by the taste, having no knowledge whatever of the shells.

Having tried to eat English, Scotch, French and Dutch oysters,

judging from that standpoint I could never believe they were the

same species as the Ostrea borealis, the finest eating oyster in the

world.

[The following species were omitted in their proper place:]

175. Pisidium variabile Prime.

Shell heavy, oblique inequilateral, inflated, anterior longer, nar-

rower and angulated at the end; beaks full, prominent, not approxi-

mating at the apex ; valves solid, interior light blue ; epidermis

glossy, color variable, straw or greenish-brown, with a yellow zone

on the basal margin ; cardinal teeth united ; lateral teeth short and

strong. Length y2^, height y1^, breadth y1^ inch.

Described by Temple Prime in Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., IV,

163, 1851. Inhabits the Eastern and Middle States. A very com-

mon species found in nearly all small streams.

176. Pisidium Virginicum Gmelin.

Shell thick, oblique, vt-ry inequilateral, coarse and robust in ap-

pearance ; anterior rounded, posterior broader, subtruncated at the

extremity, beaks large; valves solid, interior light-blue; epidermis

greenish-brown to chestnut, with zones of a darker shade ; hinge

margin curved; cardinal teeth two, shaped like the letter V re-

versed ; lateral teeth short and strong. Length y\\, height y2-^,

bread tli T2^ inch.

This is one of the largest species of Pisidium in America. It inhab-

its running streams in New England and Canada, and throughout the

Middle States, and in a few of the Western States. Say, in 1819,

described this shell under the name of Cyclas dubia, and it is gener-

ally known to collectors under this name, but Mr. Prime has shown

it to be identical -with one described by Gmelin, in 1788, as TeUina

Virginica; he, therefore, changes the name to its present one as

adopted above.

TIIK XATTILUS. X \'

PLATE VII.

y N

4

A'. <i. Vtmattu,

COLOMBIAN LAND SHELLS.

10

THE NAUTILUS.

Vox,. XV. APRIL, 19O2. No. 12.

NEW LAND SHELLS FROM THE SANTA MAETA MOUNTAINS, COLOMBIA.

BY H. A. PILSBRY AND G. H. CLAPP.

The species described below were collected by Mr. and Mrs. Her-

bert H. Smitb, in the course of their recent collecting tour in the

Santa Marta region.* The country explored proved to be singularly

unproductive in land mollusks, both species and individuals being,

with the exception of a few forms, very scarce. However, the pro-

portion of new forms was high, and indicates considerable local spe-

cialization, as would be expected from the topography of that portion

of Colombia.

Glandina callista n. sp. PI. vii, fig. 7.

Shell fusiform, very thin, pale brownish-yellow with a few indis-

tinct darker streaks, more numerous on the spire, and encircled by

numerous narrow, inconspicuous buff spiral lines between the periph-

ery and suture and on the spire. Surface but slightly glossy, sculp-

tured with fine, somewhat irregular stria1, and weakly scored by fine,

close spiral stria?, better developed below. Suture distinctly mar-

gined with a row of small bead-like folds, each formed usually by the

coalescence of two, or the knob-like enlargement of one of the stria?.

Spire acuminate. Whorls nearly 7, but slightly convex, the last

more inflated, tapering below. Anerture slightly oblique, four-

*The Bulimulidx collected have been noticed in the current volume of the

Manual of Concholoyy, two being there described as new. Two other species,

Pleurodonte clappi and Nenia smithie, have already been described and figured

•in this journal. .

134 THE NAUTILUS.

sevenths the length of the shell ; outer lip evenly arcuate ; columella

very concave, truncate as usual below. Parietal wall covered with

a very thin wash of callus, which swells broadly out upon the whorl

in the middle, and is abruptly retracted above. Length 68.5, diam.

26 mm.; length of aperture 38, greatest width 15.5 mm.

Santa Marta Mts. at Valparaiso, in forest at 4500 ft. elevation.

A charming species, remarkable for its acuminate spire, fusiform

contour and thin texture. It differs from G. striata by its sculpture

and the absence of distinct dark varices. G. plicalula is a smoother,

more obese shell, with shorter aperture. No other South American

species is nearly related.

Circinaria ponsonbyi n. sp. Plate vii, tigs. 1, 2, 3.

Shell much depressed, flat above, broadly and openly umbilicate,

thin, slightly greenish yellow-corneous, with a few faint darker

streaks ; subtransparent. Surface glossy, irregularly sculptured with

wrinkles of growth. Spire almost perfectly flat, the inner whorls

hardly perceptibly raised. Whorls a trifle over 5, convex, separated

by a deeply impressed, narrowly margined suture, the last whorl

wide, evenly rounded at the periphery, convex beneath. Umbilicus

about one-fourth the shell's diameter, regularly narrowing, all the

whorls being plainly visible. Aperture somewhat oblique, lunate-

oval. Peristome simple and thin, the upper termination inserted

far above the periphery of the preceding whorl. Alt. 4.9, diam.

13 mm.

Santa Marta Mts. at Cacaguelito, 1500 ft. elevation, under dead

leaves.

It is named for our valued friend and correspondent John Pon-

sonby, of London.

A paler and slightly less depressed form, which may be called

C. ponsonbyi clara, was taken at El Libano, at 6000 ft. elevation.

It is pellucid, faintly greenish-corneous — the largest specimen

measuring, alt. 5, diam. 12 mm., whorls 4^. The whorls are some-

what more convex beneath, and the apex is larger.

Aperostoma sanctaimarthce n. sp. Plate vii, figs. 9, 10.

Shell openly umbilicate, depressed, rich chestnut colored with

some yellowish streaks and darker lines at irregular intervals ;

moderately solid. Surface glossy, sculptured throughout with close,

fine, rib-stria3, which are distinctly wavy or crimped, and occasion-

THK NAUTILUS. 135

nlly anastomosing or splitting. Whorls 4^, convex, tubular, rapidly

enlarging, the last becoming almost free from the preceding near its

termination. Aperture but slightly oblique, subcircular, a little

angular above. Peristome obtuse, continuous, a trifle excised and

retracted on the parietal margin. Umbilicus ample, showing all the

whorls, its width contained 4^ times in that of the shell. Alt. 20,

diam. 31.5 mm. Length of aperture with peristome 14.5, width

14.3 mm.

Operculum solid, perfectly flat, dull and white externally, com-

posed of about 7 whorls, which are raised in a low ridge or welt on

the inner edge, and very obliquely striated, the nucleus a little

sunken, and not raised inside. Diam. 12 mm.

Las Nubes estate, Santa Marta Mts., Colombia, at 4000 ft. elev.

A single specimen.

Related to A. popayanum, but the umbilicus is wider, the strife

stronger, and with another color-pattern. A close examination

shows some very faint traces of spiral bands.

Aperostoma smithi n. sp. PI. vii, figs. 5, 8.

Shell rather narrowly, deeply umbilicate, low-turbinate, very dark

chestnut with indistinct wide, black streaks, the eroded inner whorls

dull red ; moderately solid. Surface glossy, with sculpture of close

rib-stria?, which are a little, waved or crimped. Whorls fully 4, con-

vex, rapidly widening. Aperture large, moderately oblique, circular,

a trifle angular above. Peristome blunt, continuous, in contact with

the preceding whorl for a short distance only. Umbilicus deep, its

diameter contained 9 or 10 times in that of the shell.

Alt. 14, diam. 20 mm.; length of aperture 10.5, width 10 mm.

Alt. 14.5, diam. 19.5 mm.; length of aperture 10.8, width 10 mm.

Operculum whitish externally, composed of about 6 flat whorls

around a sunken, corneous nucleus about 1 mm. diam. Internally

there is a slight central mucro, which lies just within the edge of the

dull scar of attachment. Diam. 9 mm.

Santa Marta Mts. at El Libano, at 6500 ft. elevation, under de-

caying leaves in forest.

It is about the size of A. dysoni, but with stronger, straighter rib-

striae and slightly more oblique aperture. A. pazi Crosse is some-

what similar, but has a wider umbilicus, smaller aperture and is more

depressed. A. smithi has a much smaller umbilicus than A. sancta

136 THE NAUTILUS.

marthce at any stage of growth ; the aperture is larger and more ob-

lique, the color is darker, and the operculum differs. This species

is respectfully dedicated to Mr. H. H. Smith.

Helicina sanctcemarthce n. sp. PI. vii, fig. 4.

Shell globose-conic, rather thin ; variously colored, yellow, cor-

neous-yellow or light red above, paler beneath, variegated with more

opaque white or whitish in spiral lines and bands, continuous or in-

terrupted; the suture generally having a dark red border above,

apex white or tinted. Surface somewhat glossy, nearly smooth to

the eye, but sculptured with fine growth-lines and sparse, unequal

and irregularly spaced spiral lines of punctures. Spire straightly

conic, rather acute. Whorls 4| to 5, somewhat convex, the last

rounded at the periphery. Aperture oblique, semicircular ; lip thin,

expanded and reflexed, pale yellow. Basal callus spreading far for-

ward, whitish in the middle, elsewhere transparent.

Alt. 11.5, diam. 13 mm.

Alt. 11, diam. 13.5 mm.

Operculum bluish-white with some darker concentric lines, con-

cave and minutely papillose outside, the papillae not crowded. In-

terior glossy blackish, shading to red and then yellowish towards the

nucleus, a reddish border at the semicircular periphery. Straight

margin yellow-bordered, strengthened by a moderate ridge, which is

bent inward near the nucleus.

Santa Marta Mts., Colombia, at El Libano, COOO ft. elevation, on

trees, especially palm leaves.

This species closely resembles H. columbiana Phil, at first sight,

but it has a more straightly conic spire and entirely different minute

sculpture, H. columbiana being decussated with crowded spiral lines

crossing the growth stria?. The operculum in H. sanctcemarthce is

thicker than in H. columbiana, and of a different color outside, but

the internal structure and color are about the same.

Helicina cacayuelita n. sp. PI. vii, fig. G.

Shell globose-conic, thin, pale yellow or reddish-corneous, with

the spire pale red, the suture margined with red above, last whorl

encircled with several opaque whitish bands or lines. Surface nearly

smooth, showing faint growth-lines and almost obsolete spirals under

a lens. Spire straightly conic, rather acute. Whorls 4^, somewhat

convex, the last rounded peripherally. Aperture oblique and semi-

fllE NAUTILUS. 137

circular. Outer lip very narrowly reflexed, whitish, a little thick-

ened within. Basal callus moderately spreading, whitish in the

middle, elsewhere transparent.

Alt. 7.8, diam. 9.5 mm.

Alt. 7.2, diam. 8.3 mm.

Operculum thin, externally whitish at the nucleus and along the

straight margin, a red area around the nucleus, outside of which

it becomes pale blue, with a reddish bordering line ; nearly smooth.

Inside deep reddish, almost black, fading to whitish along the straight

margin and near the nucleus. The straight edge is thickened outside

and within.

Santa Maria Mts., Colombia, at Cacaguelito, at 1500 ft. elevationr

on the ground in forest under decaying leaves.

A small edition of //. sanctamarthce, but differing in the less

extensive basal callus, the minute sculpture, narrow lip, thinner

shell and operculum. It is more globose than H. tamsiana. The

coloring is similar in gome specimens of If. nemoralina of Trinidad,,

but that shell has a more globular last whorl.

NOTES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PLEURODONTE ACUTA GROUP.

BY P. W. JARVIS.

As most of the Jamaican land shells in museums and private col-

lections, are usually labelled " Jamaica," a very vague locality, a few

notes giving the areas in which some of the species live may not be

out of place.

Belonging to the group of which H. acuta is type, seven species

are recognizable :

1. Pleurodonte itigens (Adams).

2. Pleurodonte chemnitziana (Pfr.).

3. Pleurodonte carmellta (Fer.).

4. Pleurodonte mbacuta ( Pfr.).

5. Pleurodonte patina (Ads.).

6. Pleurodonte oxytenes (A. D. Brown).

7. Pleurodonfe acuta (Lam.).

and three to the group of which H. bainbridgei is type.

8. Pleurodonte bainbridgei (Pfr.).

9. Pleurodonte pretiosa (Ads.).

10. Pleurodonle spenghriatia (Pfr.).

138

THE NAUTILUS.

<-' 03 C> 9

THE NAUTILUS.

1. Pleurodonte ingens (C. B. Ad.) is limited to the John Crow

Mountains in Portland (No. 1 in map). It is a mountain species.

The largest and most typical specimens come from Moore Town and

its immediate neighborhood, but living or dead specimens are to be

found scattered in all parts of this area amongst the limestone rocks.

The varieties described by Prof. C. B. Adams, viz., indigna and

imperforata, are not local forms, but simply individual variations,

all three forms being occasionally found together.

2. Pleurodonte chemnitziana (Pfr.) has a much wider range than

P. ingens, being scattered sparsely on the spurs of the Blue Mountain

range, and found more plentifully towards the eastern limits of this

area (No. 2). A small pale variety (which is otherwise typical),

occurs at Bath, in St. Thomas parish.

3. Pleurodonte carmelita (Fer.) is limited to the higher regions ol

the Blue Mountain range. This species seems to thrive on the shaly

soil, while all the other species are most plentiful in the limestone

regions.

4. Pleurodonte snbacuta (Pfr.) apparently has two habitats, the

first on the southern slopes of the Blue Mountain range (No. 4 in

map), where it is sometimes found in company with both P. carme-

lita and P. chemnitziana. The second habitat (No. 4 A) com-

mences about thirty miles west, at Mount Diablo. Thence it occurs

plentifully on the mountains running due west to Ulster Spring,

where a few stragglers have been found. At present it has not been

found in the intermediate space (which is very poor in land shells),

but further search may possibly connect these two areas, or it may

be found that the form of each area constitutes a distinct species.

5. Pleurodonte patina (C. B. Ad.) occupies a very large area. In

the extreme east of it the variety nobilis of C. B. Adams is found on

the slopes of Mount Diablo. A few miles west, at Cave Valley and

Aenon Town, the largest and most typical form of P. patina crops

up, and is undoubtedly the locality where Prof. Adams obtained his

types. It spreads west through the higher parts of St. Ann's and

Trelawny to Moore Town in St. James, gradually losing its most

distinctive characteristics, such as the concavity of the shell above

and below the periphery ; though retaining both the smooth surface

and the single small tooth.

6. Pleurodonte oxytenes (A. D. Brown) is limited to Hanover. It

is a very clearly marked species, yet subject to considerable indi-

vidual variation.

140 THE NAUTILUS.

7. Pleurodonte acuta (Lam.) is found throughout the southern

Parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and St. Catherine;

though in some localities slightly specialized forms occur, I have not

yet been able to arrange them satisfactorily. As a rule the speci-

mens from the higher lands are larger and with small teeth, some-

times only one tooth, whilst the coast and lowland forms are very

small, and have large teeth.1 The variety acutissima is not a local

race, for in almost every locality of say three or four miles in extent

it usually turns up as an acutely carinated form of the local variety.

7 A. Pleurodonte acuta (Lam.). The variety Julia occurs on the

hills near the sea on the northern coast. Acutely carinated shells

with depressed spire are frequently found amongst the common and

typical forms. This variety julia may ultimately prove to be the

lowland variety of P. patina — not of P. acuta.

I B. Pleurodonte acuta, var. lucerna (Mull.).2 The most pro-

nounced forms are found on the coast hills of Westmoreland.

Further inland occur larger specimens with smaller teeth, and the

aperture of the shell much wider. Prof. C. B. Adams' fuscokibris is

a color variety.

7 C. Pleurodonte acuta var. sublucerna (Pilsbry) occurs in the

lowlands of St. Catherine and along the coast hills of St. Andrew.

Near Yallahs there is a very small depressed shell with very large

teeth and the umbilicus uncovered. Prof. C. B. Adams mistook

this shell for P. lucerna of Miiller, and so named it in his collection

at Amherst College ; so when he had the Westmoreland specimens

brought to him he described them as new under the name of fusco-

labris. On the northeast slopes of the John Crow Hills, especially at

Quaw Hill, a very large form of this umbilicated shell is found.

8. Pleurodonte bainbridgei (Pfr.) (No. 8 in map), occurs only in

the neighborhood of Ulster Spring in Trelawny. It is distinguished

by having the spire very much depressed.

9. Pleurodonte preliosa (C. B. Ad.) is very widely distributed,

being abundant in Manchester (No. 9 on map), and spreading east-

ward. It is difficult to give any eastern boundaries of this shell, as

Specimens of P. acuta were taken near Hope Bay, on the north coast in

Portland parish, by C. W. Johnson and W. J. Fox, in 1891. — EDS.

II If P. acuta and lucerna are to be united, the latter will be the species, the

former the variety, as H. acuta was described nearly fifty years later than H.

lucerna. — EDS.

THE NAUTILUS. 141

weathered specimens are occasionally found in Clarendon, and St.

Catherine. Prof. C. B. Adams, who was unacquainted with bain-

bridyei of Pfeiflfer, mistook the nearly allied Manchester species for

it, and corning across the albino form, described it as the var. pretiosa

of bainbridgei ; consequently, his varietal name must be used to

designate this species, which is usually of a rich chocolate color.

10. Pleurodonte spengleriana (No. 10 in map) is the St. Elizabeth

species, and is readily distinguished by its smooth surface.

Before closing these notes I must acknowledge the kindly aid my

Master in Conchology, Mr. Henry Vendryes, has always so gener-

ously given me. Had it not been for his help I should never have

been able to send these communications. I must also acknowledge

the aid my friend, Mr. Geo. Nutt, has given in helping me to map

out most of the groups of Jamaican land shells.

NOTICES OF NEW LAND SHELLS OF THE JAPANESE EMPIRE.

BY H. A. PILSBRY.

Mandarina hirasei n. sp. Shell umbilicate, depressed-globose^

solid and strong, smoothish, slightly marked with growth-striae, and

under a lens seen to be densely striate spirally. Spire low-conoidal,

the apex obtuse. Whorls 4^, the last rounded peripherally and

beneath, slightly descending in front. Aperture quite oblique,

rounded-truncate ; peristome thick, expanded( narrowly reflexed

below, a little dilated at the columellar insertion, partially covering

the umbilicus. Alt. 13, diam. 21 mm.

Chichijima, Ogasawara (Mr. Y. Hirase, No. 860).

Quite unlike any of the known species. The specimens are dead,

without cuticle, and white. Like M. rusclienbergeriana and M. pal-

lasiana, the species is probably extinct.

Hirasea diplomphalns n. sp. Shell very small, shaped like an

Ammonite or like Diplomphalus, the base perforate, spire rather

narrow and deeply sunken, periphery broadly rounded. Whorls 4-|,

the last sub-angular above. Aperture vertical, narrowly crescentic,

the outer lip thickened with a white rib within except near the upper

termination. Alt. 3.2, diam. nearly 2 mm.

Chichijima, Ogasawara (Mr. Hirase, No. 863).

Hirasea goniobasis n. sp. Shell sub-perforate, dull brown, acutely

142

THE NAUTILUS.

carinate at the periphery, low-conic, striate and terraced above, sub-

angular at base. Whorls 5±, slowly widening. Aperture vertical,

narrow, trilobed, the outer lip thickened and sub-dentate within,

columellar margin thickened. Alt. 2.2, diam. 3.8 mm.

Chichijima, Ogasawara (Mr. Y. Hirase, No. 8G4).

HIRASIELLA, gen. nov. Shell small, bullet-shaped, like Euconu-

lus or Kaliel/a, polished, sub-perforate, the lip contracted and thick-

ened within. The type of this group would be considered a Kaliella

were it not for the characters of the peristome, which shows it to be

allied to Hirnsea. The young have a thin lip. like Kaliella.

Hirasiella clara n. sp. Shell sub-perforate, glossy and smooth,

yellowish, elevated with convex outlines, bullet-shaped, the periphery

rounded, base very convex. Whorls 6|, convex. Aperture shortly

lunate, contracted, the lip thickened within. Alt. 3, diam. 3 mm.

Chichijima, Ogasawara (Mr. Hirase, No. 867).

Diplommatina dormitor n. sp. Shell similar to D. cassa in shape,

but a little larger ; evenly sculptured with delicate, spaced rib-stria?.

Whorls 7, the last narrower and ascending as usual. Aperture sub-

circular, the peristome continuous across the parietal wall. Colu-

mella toothed below, the tooth or fold moderate, ascending, not

enlarged within the last whorl. Palatal fold short. Length 3,

diam. 1.5 mm.

Kikaiga-shima, Osumi. Mr. Y. Hirase, no. 870.

This form has been found fossil in a (post-pliocene ?) deposit con-

taining many land shells. It differs from D. cassa in the much

shorter palatal fold, and far less developed columellar lamella within

the last whorl. Modern species of the same region, such as D.

saginata of Oshima, are much smaller. This is the first Diplom-

matina known from Kikaiga-shima.

ALPHEUS HYATT.-

Alpheus Hyatt died suddenly of heart disease at Cambridge,

Mass., Jan. 15, 1902. He was born at Washington, D. C., April 5,

1838 ; prepared for college at the Maryland Military Academy and

passed a single year at Yale. After a year's travel in Europe he

1 Taken in part from the excellent memoir by Mr. Samuel Henshaw. Science,

Vol. XV., p. 300, Feb. 21, 1902.

THE NAUTILUS. 143

entered the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard in 1858, gradu-

ating with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1862.

He enlisted in the volunteer militia in 18G2 and at the close of the

Civil War was mustered out as Captain of the 47th Massachusetts

Infantry. Returning to Cambridge, he resumed his studies under

the guidance of Prof. Louis Agassiz, the greater part of his time

being directed to work upon the fossil Cephalopoda. In 1867, Mr.

Hyatt went to Salem, Mass., and was associated with Messrs. Put-

nam, Packard, and Morse in the care of the natural history collec-

tions of the Essex Insitute and the Peabody Academy of Science,

and in the editorial management of the American Naturalist. He

remained in Salem until 1870, when, on May 4, he was elected cus-

todian of the Boston Society of Natural History. By yearly choice

Mr. Hyatt remained the scientific head of the Society until his un-

timely death.

For the head of a museum of Natural History, Prof. Hyatt had

many marked qualifications ; his knowledge of zoology, of paleozool-

ogy and geology was extensive ; he was skilful in manipulation, sug-

gestive in council, enthusiastic and approachable. His plan that a

natural history museum should be arranged so that a visitor on en-

tering should pass from the simpler groups to those more specialized,

and that the specimens in each case should be similarly classified,

though opposed as impractical, is both sound and feasible.

Prof. Hyatt's reputation as a teacher will rest largely on the work

he did for the Teacher's School of Science. His management of this

O

school was very skilful, and his lectures, of which he gave many

courses, were uniformly successful.

In the pursuit of his investigations, Prof. Hyatt not only studied

the accumulations preserved in museums in this country and abroad,

but he partook in active field work ; he dredged off the east coast at

various points from Labrador to Noank, Conn., and explored many

geological horizons in Canada, New England, New York and the

far west.

The following are some of his more important papers on mollusca :

On the parallelism between the different stages of life in the indi-

vidual and those of the entire group of the molluscous order Tetra-

branchiata. Fossil Cephalopods of the Museum of Comparative Zool-

ogy. The genesis of the Tertiary species of Planorbis at Steinheim.

Genera of fossil Cephalopods. Genesis of the Arietidre.

144 THE NAUTILUS.

From the beginning Prof. Hyatt's researches were very largely

devoted to evolutionary questions, and to the special study of fossil

Cephalopoda ; at the time of his death he was one of the foremost

authorities upon the fossil Cephalopoda. The true value of his work

upon this group must be left for the future ; memoirs such as the

Genera of fossil Cephalopods, and the chapter on the Cephalopoda

contributed to the English issue of Zittel's Palaeontology cannot be

properly estimated by the present generation ; they require prolonged

and detailed study founded upon large series of specimens. His

theory of parallelism based on acceleration and retardation, and his

discoveries concerning the laws of development, growth and decline

were advocated with persistence and vigor; and while his treatment

is not always lucid, he is to be credited as the originator of a distinct

school, a school devoted to exact methods of research. The growth

of this so-called Hyatt school, never of greater importance than at

the time of his death, was a source of sincere gratification to him.

Prof. Hyatt possessed traits of character the worth of which can-

not be exaggerated ; his private life, though uneventful, was attended

with many blessings ; he had vigorous health, congenial work and

many friends. He enjoyed scientific meetings and general society ;

his welcome to his own home, where he was the most charming of

hosts, can never be forgotten. — C. AV. J.

We record with great regret the death of Prof. A. G. Wetherby,

which occurred Feb. 15. Further notice will appear next month.

GENEEAL NOTES.

. SERUIDENS OBLONGUS Cpr. — During one of my recent collecting

trips to Pt. Loma and Pacific Beach, I found a number of these in-

teresting little bivalves nestling under the mantle or clinging to the

outside of the shell of IscJinocJtiton compicuus. Their minute size

seems to make it especially appropriate for them to depend on their

big neighbors for protection and support. The specimens were iden-

tified by Dr. Dall, who tells me that Pristophora being pre-occupied,

the genus has been named Serridens. He states that up to the date

of my finding them here, only the single valve, found by Dr. Car-

penter at San Diego, in 18G6, was on record. — F. W. KKLSEY, SAN

DIKGO, CAL.

Mi?fi ^M01 LIBRARY