THE

/

NAUTILUS

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL

DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS

OF CONCHOLOGISTS

VOL. 67

JULY, 1953 to APRIL, 1954

EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS

HENRY A. PILSBRY

Curator of the Department of Mollusks and Marine Invertebrates,

Academy of Natural Sciences

H. BURRINGTON BAKER

Professor of Zoology, University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pa.

LANCASTER PRESS, INC., LANCASTER, PA.

CONTENTS

Names of new genera and species in italics.

Alcadia, subgenera Penisoltia & W einlandella 139, 140

Amateurs 41

American Malacological Union 66, 104

Armina tigrina 83

Atlantic 1, 38, 40, 61, 83, 92, 105, 108, 112, 120

Aurinia 5

A. kieneri ethelae Pilsbry & Olsson 10

Bermudas 53

Boston Malacological Club 36

Bryozoa 76

Bulimulus (Rabdotus) novoleonis Pilsbry 46

Busycon 61

Calidviana H. B. Baker, subgenus of Eutrochatella 139

California, inland 20, 69, 81, 96

Canada 94

Clenchina Pilsbry & Olsson, genus of Volutidae 4

C. robust a marionae Pilsbry & Olsson 8

Coelostemma balesi Pilsbry 82

Conus austini Render & Abbott pi. 3, fig. 3.

Cypraeidae 86

Dates of The Nautilus 36

Discus rotundatus 36

Egypt 44

Erectidens Pilsbry, genus of Polygyridae (?) 46

E. trichalus Pilsbry 47

Eutrochatella, subgenus Calidviana 139

Florida, inland 33, 48, 56

marine 1, 38, 58, 76

Fusinus (Heilprinia) dowianus Olsson . .pi. 8, figs. 2, 3, p. 106

Helicina, subgenus Pseudoligyra 139

Humboldtiana edithae Parodiz 107

Idaho 37

Illinois 25, 26

Indian shell mounds 90

Indians and mussels 25

Indopacific 13, 86

Lymnaea stagnalis 44

Magnipelta Pilsbry, genus of Arionidae 37

M. mycophaga Pilsbry 37

Marshall Islands 13

Massachusetts 36

iv THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

Melongenidae vs. Galeodidae 139

Mexico 46, 55, 81

Michigan 19

Monadenia circumcarinata 69

New Jersey 36

Niso hendersoni Bartsch 38

Ohio 26

Onoba jacksoni Bartsch 40

Oregon 95

Oreohelix 20

Palearctic 44

Paramiella Clench for Paramia, genus of Cyclophoridae . . 139

Penisoltia H. B. Baker, subgenus of Alcadia 139

Pisidium 97, 131

Pleistocene fossils 120

Pseudoligyra H. B. Baker, subgenus of Helicina 139

Pseudosubulina ruthae Pilsbry 81

Publications received 104, 140

St. Petersburg shell show 138

Scalariform shells 18

Scaphella 4

Shells, scalariform 18

''Texas longhorn" 76

Slug culture 129

Strobilops (Discostrobilops) pilsbryi Morrison 53

S. (D.) sinaloa Morrison 54

Temporary pools 26

Texas 107

Trichodiscina sinaloa Pilsbry 81

Turbonilla louiseae Clarke 118

Vertigo dalliana 75

Virginia 22, 90

Viviparus georgianus vs. V. multilineatus 56, 58

Volutidae 1

Volutifusus 7

Weinlandella H. B. Baker, subgenus of Alcadia 139

Wyoming 121

Zonitidae 22

INDEX TO AUTHORS

Abbott, R. Tucker 83

Abdel-Ghani, A. Fouad 44

Allen, J. Frances 92, 108

Baily, Joshua L., Jr 20

Baker, H. Burrington 36, 139

Bartsch, Paul 38, 40

Beetle, Dorothy 121

Clarke, Arthur H., Jr 112

Clench, W. J. 139

Deichnian, Elizabeth 76

Deinond, Joan 86

Dexter, Ralph W 26

Dietrich, Richard V. & Percy A. Morris 13

Emerson, William K 61

Freed, Sam D 36

Haas, Fritz 94

Hanna, G. D. & A. G. Smith 69

Herrington, H. B 97, 131

Hubricht, Leslie 22, 90

Matteson, Max R 25

Michelson, Edward H 33, 48

Morris, Percy A. (Dietrich &) 13

Morrison, J. P. E 53, 56

Nichelson, Edward H 33, 48

Nicol, David 41

Olsson, Axel A 105

Olsson, Axel A. (Pilsbry &) 1

Parodiz, Juan J 107

Pilsbry, H. A 37, 46, 58, 81, 138

Pilsbry, H. A. & Axel A. Olsson 1

Richards, Horace G 120

Sivik, Frank P 129

Smith, A. G. (Hanna &) 69

Solem, Alan 18

Teskey, Margaret C 66

IfcWAl

The nautilus

Vol. 67 JULY, 1953 No. 1

MATERIALS FOR A REVISION OF EAST COAST AND

FLORIDAN VOLUTES

By HENRY A. PILSBRY and AXEL A. OLSSON

The Volutidae are comparatively rare shells in the Recent

fauna of eastern North America and the Caribbean region, and

most species can be obtained only by dredging in off-shore

waters. Scaphella has recently become more easily available to

collectors from the shrimp trawlers. Voluta musica and its

several subspecies or varieties is probably the commonest of the

West Atlantic volutes and is locally plentiful along certain por-

tions of the north coast of South America from the Goajira

peninsula of Colombia eastward to Margarita Island and Trini-

dad. Westward of the Goajiras, V. musica is replaced by V.

virescens, which extends northward along the Central American

coast to Texas. We have records of virescens from Cartagena,

Colombia, and Colon, Panama. These two species are distin-

guishable by their color markings and by very marked differ-

ences in their nuclear construction. A fossil form of V. virescens

is common in the Miocene of western Panama and Costa Rica.

In Florida waters only the Scaphellinae appear to be repre-

sented. An important paper on this subfamily was published

by William J. Clench in Johnsonia, vol. 2, no. 22, 1946. Clench's

work was based on a study of the combined collections in the

National Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phil-

adelphia, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Museo

Poey in Havana. It is the indispensable foundation for further

work on these elegant but elusive mollusks.

In recent years the McGinty brothers, together with Arthur

2 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

R. Thompson, in dredging operations from Mr. Thompson's

motor yacht Triton, principally along the southeast coast of

Florida and the Keys, have brought together a series of Aurinia

and its allies probably larger than any collection previously

available for study. The material and information assembled

by them, together with Thomas L. McGinty's studies of the

radulae, form the chief basis of this paper. We are deeply in-

debted to Mr. Charles R. Locklin and to Mr. Thomas L. McGinty

for gifts of rare and valuable specimens, and to Mr. Tom Dow

and Mrs. E. L. Townsend for the use of volutes from their

collections.

Clench first indicated the existence of a radula in the American

species of Scaphellinae, and gave figures of the teeth of five

species. Dall, who had failed to obtain a radular ribbon from

a specimen (erroneously) identified as "Aurinia dubia" dis-

sected for the Blake report, 1889, concluded that the absence

of a radula constituted a characteristic of the subfamily, an

error copied later by Thiele and several other systematists. The

radular ribbon of the Scaphellinae, as in most other volutes, is

uniserial, lateral teeth being absent, so that only the central row

or rachidian teeth remain. The ribbon is small to minute. As

figures 1 to 4 show, the teeth of Scaphellinae are of three pat-

terns. All have a biramose base of attachment.

1. In Scaphella the teeth have a single long, narrow cusp

only, its upper surface deeply concave (as in fig. la), the shanks

of the base either shorter than the cusp, as in 8. junonia as

figured by Clench, or longer and more spreading, as in the

Campeche race or. subspecies drawn in our figures 1, la.

2. In Clenchina there is a conic central cusp deeply concave

above, suggesting the upper surface of a rounded shovel (fig. 2a),

and two minute accessory cusps, which are the sharpened ends

of two ridges continued from the lateral edges of the basal

shanks. The radula is minute, about 2 mm. long, teeth 0.05

mm. wide, more or less, in the type species C. dohrni (Sowerby),

figs. 2, 2a. The teeth are similar in C. florida (CI. & Ag.), and

in C. robusta marionae, fig. 3.

July, 1953]

THE NAUTILUS

3. In Aueinia there is a pointed central cusp and two well

developed side cusps. The radula is relatively large, in the

neighborhood of 10 mm. long, with teeth about 0.2 mm. wide,

in A. georgiana (Clench), fig. 4. Aurinia kieneri ethelae (pi. 3,

fig. 1), has a radula very similar to A. georgiana.

In Volutifusus the teeth are shaped as in Aurinia, but the

radula is much smaller, 2 mm. long in a shell of V. torrei (Pils-

bry) 54 mm. long, according to Clench.

Figs. 1, la. Tooth of Scapliella junonia butleri from shrimping grounds

southwest of Campeche in 16 fms. Shell 112 mm. long. Eadula about 6

mm. long, with approximately 210 teeth, formula 0.1.0. At fig. la a tooth

viewed obliquely from side and above.

Figs. 2, 2a. Clenchina dohrni from rocky reef southeast of Sombrero

Key Light, 110 fathoms. Shell 43.3 mm. long, clean and not eroded.

Eadula about 2 mm. long, with approximately 120 teeth. At fig. 2a a

tooth seen from side and a little above.

Fig. 3. Clenchina robusto marionae from shell figured on pi. 2, fig. 5,

Scale about same as for fig. 2.

Fig. 4. Aurinia georgiana from off Palm Beach, 115 fms. Eadula

slightly less than 10 mm. long, with about 160 teeth.

All figures except fig. 3 traced from camera lucida drawings by Thomas

L. McGinty.

4 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Classification of East Coast and Floridan Volutidae

Subfamily Scaphellinae

Genus Scaphella Swainson, 1832

Type by subsequent designation, Gray, 1847: Voluta junonia

Shaw. Recent, Florida coasts westward into the Gulf of Mexico.

The shell is broadly spindle-shaped, medium or thick-walled,

the spire a third the total length or less. Protoconch sub-

truncate, stump-shaped, often with a pointed calearella. Early

postnuclear whorls having small axial ribs and spiral striae, the

last whorl with spiral striae weak or vanishing and an extremely

thin and pale periostracum, usually scarcely noticeable. Colu-

mella margin of aperture nearly straight, bearing four plaits.

Parietal callus a thin and transparent glaze, at its widest exten-

sion covering about half the width of the ventral face or less.

The anterior canal is rather short, stout, slightly recurved, with

deep terminal notch and a distinct but low siphonal fasciole.

Teeth of the radula with a single cusp (as described on page 2

and figs. 1, la).

Clenchina, new genus

Type : Voluta dohrni Sowerby, 1903.

The shell is fusiform, similar to Scaphella by the nucleus, the

numerous rows of spots, usually 8 or more (rarely wanting),

and the limited parietal glaze, restricted to the columellar half

or less of the ventral surface of the shell (pi. 1, fig. 4, C. dohrni).

Three of four plaits emerge on the columella. A siphonal fasciole

is more or less evident. The early postnuclear whorls may have

spiral striation only, or axial ribs may be present also. Fine

spiral striation extends upon the last whorl. The radula is very

minute, the teeth having mesocone and vestigial side cusps, as

described on page 2 and figs. 2, 2a, 3.

This genus differs from Scaphella chiefly by the form of the

radular teeth, which are shorter and have distinct though minute

side cusps. Such differences as exist in the shells do not seem

very important, the Clenchinae being somewhat less solid and less

shouldered.

Clenchina differs from Aurinia mainly by the much more

minute radula, with teeth having only rudimentary side cusps.

The shell differs by the stronger columellar plaits, the more

numerous rows of spots, and especially by the far less extended

parietal glaze ; but this most important character is often faintly

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 5

or not at all expressed in fresh shells, and is usually removed in

those which have been "cleaned."

The genotype, C. dohrni, lives in rocky stations. It is ap-

parently confined in Florida waters to the rocky area off the

Keys known as the Pourtales Plateau.

"Valuta" gouldiana Dall, with a unicolored shell or with

broad pale bands, is referable without doubt to Clenchina, but

the dentition is still unknown.

Genus Aurinia H. & A. Adams

Aurinia H. & A. Adams, 1853, monotype Voluta dubia Broderip.

Rehderia Clench, 1945, type Aurinia schmitti Bartsch. Auri-

niopsis Clench, 1953, Johnsonia 2 : 378, type Scaphella kieneri

Clench.

Distribution : Southeast Atlantic coast of the United States,

Florida and the West Indies.

The shell is spindle-shaped and rather thin. Protoeonch sub-

truncate stump-like or somewhat globose, often with a pointed

calcarella. Whorls generally sculptured with fine spiral threads,

the spire whorls (which may be shouldered) having axial folds

as well. Columellar margin nearly straight or weakly sigmoid.

There are two feeble columellar plaits, sometimes not persisting

into the adult stage of the shell. Anterior canal long, straight

or little recurved, terminating in a shallow notch. There is no

siphonal fasciole. The periostracum is extremely thin, not con-

cealing the color pattern of about 6 (5 to 7) spiral rows of

brown spots; or (on mud bottom) the periostracum is slightly

thicker, dull and opaque, dusky yellow, brownish or olivaceous.

The parietal callus is an extremely thin glaze spreading over

much or most of the ventral surface of the shell. Radula with

tricuspid teeth as described on page 2 and fig. 4.

The chief feature differentiating the shell of Aurinia from

other Scaphellinae is that the thin callus or glaze deposited by

the columellar margin of the mantle covers most or all of the

ventral face of the shell, covering also such incrustations as may

adhere to the periostracum. In A. georgiana it may cover most

of the apertural side of the last whorl only, as in plate 1, fig. 2,

or it may extend on the ventral side over sutures and whorls, to

the apex. In the long series seen from off Palm Beach there are

all intermediate stages. This condition is obvious in most speci-

mens from muddy bottom, which have the periostracum a little

6 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

thicker and darker than those from sandy or rocky bottoms. In

the latter such very thin periostracum as may be present is

transparent, the flesh colored or pinkish surface with rows of

spots showing through ; the ventral glaze is extremely thin, or

so slight that none is visible, the spots showing through it, and

the mantle line on the shell defining it is inconspicuous or no

line may be visible.

Most specimens of Aurinia in collections have been "cleaned,"

and the mantle line on the shell defining the ventral glaze is

faint or generally obliterated entirely.

The anterior canal is not, or but very slightly, recurved in

Aurinia, and there is no trace of the convex siphonal fasciole

seen in Scaphella and usually in Clenchina.

Rehderia was based upon specimens with dull, more or less

incrusted periostracum, covered by the parietal glaze which had

not been "cleaned." The type of Aurinia was a specimen with

very thin periostracum and imperceptible ventral glaze. Their

essential generic identity is demonstrated by the series of

dozens of specimens dredged by the McGinty brothers, preserved

in their natural condition except for the removal of the sea

anemones which were on most specimens. All conchological

characters of Aurinia and Rehderia are exactly the same except

for the difference in the surface, which as noted above is fully

covered by transitional individuals in li Rehderia' ' georgiana.

We agree with Dr. Bartsch, who referred the genotype of

Rehderia to the genus Aurinia.

The McGintys report that species of the genus Aurinia live

in sandy or muddy situations, Avhile members of Clenchina live

in both rocky or sandy mud localities.

Some confusion has attended the identification of the geno-

type Aurinia dubia Broderip. Originally described and figured

by Broderip in 1827, it was based on a shell from an unknown

locality. The same figure was copied by Reeve who was not

otherwise acquainted with the species. The original figure of

dubia shows a slender shell about 65 mm. in length, with a rather

long, slender, straight anterior canal, and a large bulbous pro-

toconch tipped with a pointed calcarella. There are six rows

of well separated brown spots on the body whorl, two rows on

the penultimate whorl. The columella!- plaits are described as

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 7

two in number, ' ' very slightly marked. ' ' A photographic copy

of Broderip's figure is reproduced in our plate 2, fig. 2. It

appears to be a young shell which would add another whorl, the

axially costate last whorl shown in Broderip 's figure correspond-

ing to the penult whorl of A. kieneri. The "two almost imper-

ceptible plaits on the columella" of the immature stage repre-

sented by Broderip's type would probably be lost in the fully

mature stage, as they are occasionally in A. georgiana. In A.

kieneri the plaits evidently disappear still earlier. The nuclear

shell of A. dubia is larger than in A. kieneri but of the same

shape; cf pi. 2, fig. la. If this estimate is correct, Auriniopsis

will fall as a synonym of Aurinia.

Genus Volutipusus Conrad, 1863

Volutifusus Conrad, 1863, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. for 1862,

p. 563.

Bothy aurinia Clench & Aguayo, 1940, Mem. Soc. Cubana de Hist.

Nat. 14: 92 (Type Aurinia torrei Pilsbry).

Type by monotypy: Fasciolaria mutabilis Conrad, 1834, Mio-

cene of St. Mary's River, Maryland.

The shell is smooth except for obscure axial riblets and spiral

striae on the earliest post-nuclear whorls. It does not have the

pattern of spots in spiral series characteristic of most Scaphel-

linae. The surface is covered by a light glaze of enamel which

wholly or mainly obscures the sutures and spreads over the

protoconch as well. Anterior canal nearly or quite straight,

with siphonal canal notch small; without a siphonal fasciole.

Columella plain in the adult, with two small plaits developed in

early whorls only, but not emerging to the aperture in the adult

stage. Radula as in Aurinia but much smaller.

vov

To this genus belong several fossil species often referred to

Aurinia, from the East Coast Miocene and Pliocene. Volutifusus

differs from the closely related Aurinia by having the surface

completely covered by a glaze of enamel from which it may be

inferred that the mantle can be extended to envelop the whole

shell. In shape of the radular teeth Volutifusus {Bathy aurinia)

is entirely like Aurinia.

Bathyaurinia Clench and Aguayo, 1940, differs in no wise from

Volutifusus in shell characters and is regarded as a synonym.

Volutifusus agnayoi (Clench) from deep water east of St.

8 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Augustine is the only Recent species of this genus known from

off Florida.

List of Volutidae of the East Coast, Florida, and

westward in the Gulf

Scaphella junonia (Shaw)

Scaphella junonia johnstoneae Clench

Scaphella junonia butleri Clench

Clenchina dohrni (Sowerby)

Clenchina florida (Clench & Aguayo)

Clenchina gouldiana (Dall)

Clenchina robust a (Dall)

Clenchina robusta marionae Pilsbry & Olsson

Aurinia kieneri (Clench)

Aurinia kieneri ethelae Pilsbry & Olsson

Aurinia schmitti Bartsch

Aurinia georgiana (Clench)

Volutifusus aguayoi (Clench)

Notes and descriptions of some Scaphellinae

Clenchina robusta marionae, new subspecies. PI. 2, figs. 4, 5

The shell is rather shortly fusiform, the diameter contained

about 2% to 2% times in the length, moderately solid; dull

whitish with squarish dark brown spots in 5 or 6 spiral series.

The nucleus has an elevated point, but is eroded in both speci-

mens seen. Postnuclear whorls angular near the middle, the

angle closely set with tubercles which are slightly lengthened

axially. These tubercles continue over the first half or more of

the last whorl ; the angle and tubercles disappearing on the

latter part of the whorl. Spiral sculpture of low, rounded cords

wider than their intervals, about two cords in one millimeter

(measured on the last whorl below the shoulder). The cords are

smaller and closer above the shoulder and a trifle coarser towards

the base. The arcuate outer lip of the aperture is a little more

strongly curved in its posterior half. The inner lip is very

weakly sigmoid, being slightly concave in the middle and curved

towards the left anteriorly ; the anterior canal being somewhat

recurved, without a distinct siphonal fasciole. There are three

low columellar plaits, not visible in front view in the type, but

barely emerging in the paratype.

Length 45.3 mm., diameter 20 mm. ; length aperture 32 mm.

Type.

Length 59 mm., diameter 24.3 mm. ; length aperture 40.5 mm.

Paratype.

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 9

"Gulf of Mexico." Type 189920 ANSP., paratype in Charles

R. Locklin's collection.

The special feature of this subspecies is the spiral sculpture

which is far coarser than in any of the otherwise similar species.

The anterior canal is distinctly recurved. The very thin parietal

glaze is about as in C. florida, (pi. 1, fig. 4), at the widest extend-

ing about half way over the ventral side. In the type the

squarish spots are somewhat longer axially, but in the paratype

they tend to be lengthened spirally.

This subspecies is based upon two specimens, both probably

mature, the difference in size thought to be sexual. The spiral

striation is decidedly coarser than in C. florida. Though ap-

parently adult the shells are much smaller than C. robusta. It

is named for Marion (Mrs. C. R.) Locklin, formerly Assistant

in the department of mollusks, Academy of Natural Sciences of

Philadelphia.

Aurinia kieneri (Clench), Plate 2, figs. 1, la.

Fusus tessellatus Schubert, Kiener, 1840, Icon. Coquilles Vivantes

5, Fusus, p. 39, pi. 29, fig. 1. [Not F. tessellatus Schubert &

Wagner, 1829.]

Scaphella (Aurinia) kieneri Clench, 1946, Johnsonia 2:58, pi.

31, fig. 1 [copied from Kiener, I.e. ; not Auriniopsis kieneri

Clench, 1953].

This species was named by Clench from Kiener 's figure and

description, no specimens being then known in America. It is

now known by specimens from rather deep water in the north-

eastern Gulf, one from the Locklin collection figured on plate 2,

fig. 1. The shell is light pinkish cinnamon (of Ridgway) in color

with six rows of squarish spots of Vandyke brown, spots of the

upper row small and scattered; the anterior end is vandyke

brown with blackish streaks. The embryonic shell of slightly over

two whorls is globular and runs spirally to an acute point. The

penult and nearly two earlier whorls have rounded axial ribs on

the lower half or slightly more, but obsolete on the concave

upper part. There are widely spaced traces of ribs in the

peripheral part of the last whorl. Fine spiral striae are over

all post-embryonic whorls. No trace of columellar plaits. The

specimen is adult, having several strong wrinkles indicating

former peristomes behind the outer lip.

10 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Length 115 mm., diameter 36 mm. ; length of aperture 86.5

mm. ; 5% whorls.

These specimens agree in the main with Kiener's figure, but

the aperture is a little narrower and the columellar margin is

less strongly sinuous. The strong ribs of the penult whorl and

the minute spirals of the glossy surface are the same.

In the shell figured as A. kieneri in Johnsonia 2 : 379, pi. 187

(1953) the absence of ribs on the penult whorl and the straighter

columellar margin of aperture and canal indicate that it is not

typical A. kieneri, but is referable to the following subspecies.

Aurinia kieneri ethelae new subspecies. PI. 3, figs. 1, 2, 2a.

Shell large, spindle-shaped, thin-walled, of almost paper thick-

ness at the apertural edge, somewhat heavier elsewhere. The

body-whorl is large, moderately convex but with its opposite sides

in the middle zone appearing a little flattened and parallel;

above that the surface slopes inward to form an appressed zone

bordering the suture. Base of whorl is contracted rather strongly

and produced into a narrow, straight to slightly twisted canal.

The specimen has 5 whorls in addition to a small calloused

nucleus of about 1 whorl which has an elevated, peaked cal-

carella. The first postnuclear whorl is quite narrow, the change

from the nuclear stage being abrupt. Second and third post-

nuclear whorls have about 17 narrow, axial riblets across the

middle but they fade out towards the suture. On the remaining

whorls the ribs rapidly diminish and are wholly lacking on the

penultimate and final whorls. Spiral sculpturing is relatively

strong except on the body-whorl where the surface is nearly

smooth except for the longitudinal lines of growth. The shell

has a thin-edged growing lip, nearly straight or but slightly

sinuous in the middle ; but about a quarter turn back the growth

lines are bunched together and heavier, indicating halts in shell

growth.

Length 182 mm., greater diameter near upper end of aperture

54.5 mm. ; height of spire above end of aperture 57 mm.

The contracted animal in formalin has a length along the foot

of about 70 mm., of a dirty cream color smudged irregularly with

black. Tentacles broad, triangular, flat, with a small pro-

tuberance on each side at the outer base, probably bearing small

eyes. Buccal mass is a large, sausage-shaped, thick-walled organ.

The radula is relatively long and very slender, approximately

12 mm. in length, width of teeth about 0.28 mm., the individual

teeth closely similar to those of other Aurinia, each with three

cusps, the mesocone largest, widest in the middle, side cusps long.

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 11

Off South Pass, Mississippi Kiver in 220 fathoms. Coll. by-

Mr. Thomas Dow. Holotype in the private collection of Mrs.

Ethel L. Townsend, Coconut Grove, Florida.

We have seen a number of specimens, the type in the collection

of Mrs. Townsend being the largest, our illustrations being a

few mm. less than actual size. It differs from A. kieneri by the

far less developed axial ribbing of the spire which is restricted

to one or two early whorls, and totally absent on the last two or

three whorls. In the specimens of A. kieneri seen, and in that

figured by Kiener, the costation is strongest on the penult whorl.

It remains to be seen whether ethelae is specifically distinct from

A. kieneri when longer series of both become available. For

the present, in view of the variability we have observed in some

other species of Aurinia, we leave it as a subspecies.

No parietal glaze is usually visible on the ventral side of this

form, but in one specimen (pi. 2, figs. 3, 3a) given by Mr. C. R.

Locklin the surface had gathered a thin coat of diatoms or other

marine deposit over which the mantle has laid a glaze covering

the ventral side, exactly as described for ' ' Rehderia. " This is

another illustration of our contention that Aurinia species may

either occur clean, or incrusted individuals may have a glaze

deposited over the incrustation. As this gives the shell quite a

different appearance we give here a description of such an

incrusted specimen.

Plate 2, figs. 3, 3a. The fusiform shell is long and slender, the

diameter one-third of the length or less; not very thick. The

nuclear 1% smooth whorls taper spirally to a high point, as in

A. kieneri. First postnuclear whorl is axially ribbed with spiral

threads, the ribbing becoming weaker and irregular on the fol-

lowing whorl, the last 2~y2 whorls smooth except for fine growth

striae. The whole ventral face of the last two whorls is covered

with a white glaze, also covering the suture. The color, visible

on the back and spire, is pinkish buff with two rows of russet

squarish spots on whorls of the spire, four rows (with traces of

a fifth) on the last whorl. The spots are rather small (3 mm.

long more or less) on the last whorl, the rows widely spaced.

The aperture is flesh tinted within, showing the spots faintly,

widest at the anterior third. The outer lip is strongly curved

forward in the middle, as usual, retracted to the suture. Colu-

mellar margin is very weakly concave in the middle, without

plaits.

12 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Length 128 mm., diameter 39 mm.; length of aperture 86.5

mm. ; 5y± whorls.

The shape and color-pattern, as well as the less extensive glaze,

differentiate this form from Volutifusus.

Aurinia schmitti Bartsch. PI. 1, fig. 1.

A specimen in the McGinty collection is figured to show the

appearance when found clean. The last whorl is more evenly

convex and less shouldered than the type figures of A. schmitti,

but that type specimen is a little abnormal from an interruption

of growth in the sutural region near the aperture. There are six

spiral rows of squarish spots, those of the upper row small, the

rest larger and separated by spaces usually less than twice the

size of the spots. The aperture is widened at its anterior third,

and about 69 percent of the total length. The columellar margin

is nearly straight, and in an oblique view shows two very low but

wide columellar plaits. In another specimen the plaits emerge

more, being visible in a front view.

Length 130 mm., diameter 41 mm. ; length of aperture 89.4 mm.

This specimen is from Triton Station 992, 165° off Sombrero

Key Light in 60 fms., gray mud. It was taken July 21, 1952.

Aurinia georgiana (Clench). PI. 2, figs. 2 to 6.

Aurinia georgiana on muddy bottom off Palm Beach in about

75 to 90 fathoms is one of the usual perches for sea anemones.

Sometimes several of them occupy the whole surface leaving

only the aperture free. Even this may sometimes be contracted

by encroachment of this old man of the sea. Other specimens,

especially those from sandy bottom, may come up entirely clean,

as in pi. 1, figs. 3, 6. The extension of the parietal glaze over

the periostracum, as emphasized by Clench in his account of

Rehderia, is not an unusual condition in shells with thin periost-

racum, in which, as in many land shells, the glaze is laid on

over the periostracum. On muddy bottoms many Aurinias

acquire a coating of lime, often with diatoms and other growths.

Over this the columellar margin of the mantle deposits a glaze,

so that a smooth surface rests upon the extended animal. The

back of a coated specimen is shown in pi. 1, fig. 5. See also

pi. 2, figs. 3, 3a.

TILE NAUTILUS 67 (1)

PLATE 1

1, Aurinia schmitti. 2, 3, 5, 6, A. georglana. 4, Clenchina dohrni. 7, Trio-

dopsis fraudulinta vulgata (above), Anguispira alternata (below).

THE NAUTILUS 67 (1)

PLATE 2

1. La, Aurinia kieneri. -. Aurinia dubia, after Broderip. 3, 3a, Aurinia Tc,

i tin liir, var. 4, 5, Clcnchina robusta marionae.

THE NAUTILUS 67 (1)

PLATE a

\ 1

X. .J*

1 *

Ohsort ol**dr

1, 2, 2a, Aurinia Tcieneri ethelae. 3, Conus austini ReMer & Abbott.

THE NAUTILUS 67 (1)

PLATE 4

Mollusks from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 13

A. georgiana shows great variation in shape of the anterior

canal end of the aperture, as in pi. 1, figs. 3 and 6. They would

hardly be thought the same species if they were not fully con-

nected by intermediate specimens taken on the same bottoms.

The anterior canal may be noticeably recurved and rather broad,

as in fig. 3, or in a small minority of specimens it may be straight

and slender, as in fig. 6. The two small columellar plaits may

be barely visible in a direct front view, figs. 2 and 6, or they

may be so deeply immersed that they are not visible in the

aperture in any view.

Fig. 2 represents a specimen of about maximum size for the

species, length 94 mm., width 31 mm. ; length aperture 63 mm. ;

fully 5 whorls. All specimens figured (pi. 1, figs. 2, 3, 5, 6).

are from off Palm Beach, 75 to about 90 fms. taken by the Triton.

There it is the only species of Aurinia found in its area.

MOLLUSKS FROM KWAJALEIN

By RICHARD V. DIETRICH

Department of Geology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia

AND

PERCY A. MORRIS

Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University,

New Haven, Connecticut

The mollusks listed here were collected on the Kwajalein

Atoll by R. V. Dietrich while he was on duty with the U.S.A. A. F.

during World War II. They have been classified by P. A.

Morris of Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven,

Connecticut, where the collection now is filed.

Kwajalein Atoll, sometimes referred to as Menschikov Atoll,

is in the Marshall Island group. The Atoll lies between 8° 40'

and 9° 25' North latitude and between 166° 45' and 167° 50'

East longitude (fig. 1).

All shells in this collection were collected from the area around

Ebeye, Ennylabegan, Enubuj, Gea, and Kwajalein Islands which

are located in the southern part of the atoll. Cypraea (Ponda)

ventricidus Lamarck, Peribolus (Arabica) histrio Gmelin, Eros-

aria (Ravitrona) caput serpentis Linne, Turbo argyrostomus

Fig. 1. Index map showing location of area from which this collection came.

Linne, Lamb is chiragra Linne, and Haliotis varia Linne were

found alive on the ocean-side reef of Kwajalein Island ; Strombus

gibberulus Linne, Cerithium fasciatum Bruguiere, Rhinoclavis

sinensis Gmelin, and Isognomon perna Linne were found alive

on the reef between Kwajalein and Enubuj Islands; Pinctada

vulgaria Schumacher, Plicatula philippinarum Sowerby, Ostrea

chemnitzii Hanley, Peribolus (Arabica) reticulata Martyn,

Erosaria (Rauitrona) caput serpent is Linne, Monetaria (Orna-

mentaria) annulua Linne, Erosaria (Ravitroma) helvolva Linne,

Erosaria (Erosaria) pararia Linne, and Nerita polita Linne were

found alive on the reef between Ennylabegan and Gea Islands.

The shell of Charonia tritonis Linne was found on the lagoon side

of Ebeye Island. Monetaria (Monetaria) moneta Linne was

found alive on all reefs visited. Only the shells of the other

mollusks were found; they were procured from dredgings from

the lagoon on the north side of Kwajalein Island during the

dredging operations of 1945.

July, 1953]

THE NAUTILUS

15

List of Mollusks Collected

Pelecypoda

Area ventricosa Lamarck

Area krausii Philippi

Barb at ia amygdalumtostum

Roding

Anadara scapha Meuschen

Pinctada vulgaria Schumacher

Isognomon perna Linne*

Ostrea chemnitzii Hanley

Spondylus cruentus ? Lischke

Spondylus ducalis Roding

Plicatula philippinarum Sow-

erby

Pallium pallium Linne

Chlamys squamosus ? Gmelin*

Comptopecten spiceri Rehder*

Lima cf . annulata Lamarck

Volsella philippinarum Hanley

Brachidontes sp.

Tridacna maxima Roding

Hippopus hippopus Linne

Chama aspersa 1 Reeve

Chama semipurpurata Lischke

Chama lazarus Linne

Loripinus vesicula Gould

Codakia interrupta Lamarck

Codakia punctata Linne

Fimbria fimbriata Linne

Trapezium oblong um Linne

Trachycardium elongatum Bru-

guiere

Fragum fragum Linne

Lioconcha hieroglyphica Con-

rad

Periglypta reticidata Linne

Pitar obliquata Wood

Garfrarium pectinatum Linne

Glycydonta marica Linne*

Asaphis deflorata Linne

Tellina perna ? Spengler

Tellinella virgata Linne

Pinguitellina nucella Dall,

Bartsch and Rehder*

Scutarcopagia scobinata Linne

Leptomya near cochlearis

Hinds*

Macoma sp.

Quadrans gargadia Linne*

Note: star (*) indicates species illustrated.

Cephalopoda

Nautilus pompilius Linne

Gastropoda

Patelloidea saccharina Linne

Patella stellaeformis Reeve

Haliotis varia Linne

Trochus pyramis Born

Trochus histrio Reeve

Clanculus atropurpureus Gould

Turbo petholatus Linne

Turbo argyrostomus Linne

Nerita polita Linne

Nerita plicata Linne

Nerita picea Recluz

Nerita albicilla Linne

Natica cf. violacea Sowerby*

Cymatium pyrum Linne

Murex sp.

Nassa sertum Bruguiere

Drupa morum Roding

Drupa ricinus Linne

Drupa grossularia Roding

Drupa rubusidaeus Roding

Thais (Thalessa) hippocas-

taneum Linne

Morula ura Roding

Morula undata Lamarck

Morula granulata Duclos

Morida concatenata Lamarck

16

THE NAUTILUS

[Vol. 67 (1)

Polinices mammilla Linne

Polinices melanostoma Gmelin

Siphonium sp.*

Aletes sp.

Cheilea equestris Linne

Hipponyx conicus Schumacher

Hipponyx barbatus Sowerby

T ovinia infundib uliformis Gme-

lin*

Phillipia cingulum Kiener*

Littorina obesa Sowerby

Cerithium cf. salebrosum Sow-

erby*

Cerithium cf. echinatum La-

marck

Cerithium asper Linne

Cerithium columna Sowerby

Cerithium fasciatum Bruguiere

Cerithium nodulosum Bru-

guiere

Rhinoclavis sinensis Gmelin*

Rhinoclavis tenuiscidptus Sow-

erby

Strombus dentatus Linne

Strombus mutabilis Swainson*

Strombus fragilis Roding

Strombus gibberulus Linne

Strombus lentiginosus Linne

Strombus variabilis Swainson

Strombus rugosum Sowerby*

Lamb is lamb is Linne

Lambis chiragra Linne

Terebellum terebellum Linne

Cypraea tigris Linne

Cypraea (Lyncina) lynx Linne

Cypraea (Ponda) carneola

Linne

Cypraea (Ponda) ventriculus

Lamarck

Cypraea (Mystaponda) vitel-

lus Linne

Erosaria (Erosaria) erosa

Linne

Erosaria (Erosaria) pararia

Linne

Erosaria (Ravitrona) caput-

serpentis Linne

Morula elata Blainville

Pyrene /lava Bruguiere

Columbella turturina Lamarck

Engina mendicaria Linne

Pisa fasciata Deshayes*

Nassarius papillosus Linne

Nassarius graniferus Kien

Nassarius glans Linne

Nassarius concinnus Powis

Pisanm ignea Gmelin

Cantharus undosus Linne

Latirus bar clay i Reeve

Pristernia incarnata Deshayes

Peristernia caledonica Petit

Peristernia chlorostoma Gray

Vasum turbinellum Linne

Pusia lanta Reeve

Pusia arenosa Lamarck

Pusia crocata Lamarck

Pusm aureolata Swainson

Pusia sp.*

Mitra mitra Linne

Mitra ambigua Swainson

Mitra papilio Link

Mitra stictica Link

Mitra cylindrica Reeve

Mitra acuminata Swainson

Mitra ostergaardi Pilsbry

Mitra microstoma Sowerby

Mitra chrysalis Reeve

Cylindromitra glans Reeve

Cylindromitra crenulata Gme-

lin

Scabricula cucumerina La-

marck

Scabricula ferruginea Lamarck

Mitrella figula Duclos

Strigatella paupercula Lamarck

Strigatella golischi Dall*

Tiara filaris Linne

Tiara rufescens A. Ads.

Vexillum gruneri Reeve*

Turricula corbicula Sowerby*

Oliva annulata Gmelin

Oliva sericea miniacea Roding

Oliva sandwichensis Pease

Ilarpa amouretta Roding

July, 1953]

THE NAUTILUS

17

Erosaria (Ravitrona) helvola

Linne

Erosaria (Ravitrona) labro-

lineata Gaskoin*

Erronea caurica Linne

Luria (Basilatrona) Isabella

Linne

Cribraria (Cribraria) cribraria

Linne

(Talostolida) teres

(Arabica) histrio

Cribraria

Gmelin

Peribolus

Gmelin

Peribolus (Arabica) depressa

Gray

Bistolida (Bistolida) hirundo

Linne

Monetaria (Monetaria) moneta

Linne

Monetaria (Ornamentaria) an-

nulua Linne

Pustularia globulus Linne

Pustulariabistrinotata Schilder

Nuclearia nucleus Linne

Quimalea pomum Linne

Phalium vibex Linne

Cymatium gemmatum Reeve

Cymatium pileare Linne

Cymatium aquatile Reeve

Cymatium labrosum Wood

Charonia tritonis Linne

Distorsio anus Linne

Bursa cruentata Sowerby

Bursa granulans Roding

Ranularia ( Cutturnium )

ricina Roding*

Chicoreus sp.*

mu-

Clavus auricidiferus Lamarck*

Terebra maculaia Linne

Terebra crenulata Linne

Terebra straminea Gray

Terebra striata Quoy and Gaim-

ard

Terebra funiculata Hinds

Terebra sp.*

Conus omaria Hwass

Conus tulipa Linne

Conus glans Hwass

Conus nussatella Linne

Conus praelatus Hwass*

Conus vitulinus Hwass

Conus imperialis Linne

Conus senator Linne

Conus pulicarius Hwass

Comes capitaneus Linne

Conus rattus Hwass

Conus ermineus Born

Conus marmoreus Linne

Conus chaldens Roding*

Conus ebraeus Linne

Conns eburneus Hwass

Conus abbas Hwass

Conus lividus Hwass

Conus miliaris Hwass

Conus miles Linne

Conus fabula Sowerby

Imbricaria conica Schumacher

Imbricaria sp.*

Xenuroturris angulifera La-

marck

Turris sp.*

Solidula glabra Reeve*

Bulla ampulla Linne

Acknowledgments : Edwin H. Bryan, Jr., Curator of Collec-

tions, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii, prepared

the map (fig. 1) ; Harald A. Rehder, J. P. E. Morrison, and R. T.

Abbott of the United States National Museum, Washington, D. C.

checked the identifications of the specimens; Carl 0. Dunbar,

Director of Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven,

Connecticut encouraged the writers to prepare this data for

publication. All this aid is gratefully acknowledged.

18 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Plate 4

Species from the collection that are unusual or not figured in readily

available conchology books.

Note. — Unless otherwise indicated, all figures are natural size.

1. Chlamys squamosus ? Gmelin, x2. (Eich yellow)

2. Comptopecten spiceri Eehder. (Ivory and pale red)

3. Pinguitellina micella Dall, Bartsch & Eehder, x2. (Pale yellow)

4. Quadrans gargadia Linne. (Pure white)

5. Glycydonta marica Linne. (White and rose)

6. Leptomya near cochlearis Hinds. (Pure white)

7. Phillipia cingulum Kiener. (White and yellowish tan)

8. Solidula glabra Eeeve. (Brown and white)

9. Strigatella golischi Dall. (Pale tan)

10. Turris sp. (Ivory and chocolate)

11. Cerithium cf. salebrosum Sowerby. (Grayish)

12. Siphonium ?. (Pinkish gray)

13. T ovinia infundibuliformis Gmelin, X2. (Orange-red)

14. Terebra sp. (Ivory)

15. Erosaria (Ravitrona) labrolineata Gaskoin, X2. (Cream and red-

brown)

16. Pisa fasciata Deshayes, X2. (Red-brown and white)

17. Pusia sp. (Orange and white)

18. Imbricaria sp. (Cream)

19. Conus chaldens Boding. (Chocolate and pink)

20. Natica cf. violacea Sowerby. (Ivory and yellow-brown)

21. Chicoreus sp. (Eusty yellow)

22. Rhinoclavis sinensis Gmelin. (Purplish gray)

23. Conus praelatus Hwass, x2. (Tan and white)

24. Strombus rugosus Sowerby. (Orange and white)

25. Turricula corbicula Sowerby. (Orange and white)

26. Clavus auriculif erus Lamarck. (Orange and white)

27. Vexillum gruneri Eeeve. (Lavender and white)

28. Strombus mutabilis Swainson. (Ivory and chocolate)

SCALARIFORM ANGUISPIRA AND TRIODOPSIS

By ALAN SOLEM

Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan

While a large number of molluscan monstrosities have been

reported in the literature, essentially we know little about the

extent and causes of deformities. Many monstrosities are ob-

viously caused by repair of damage to the shell, but a number

have been reported where no evidence of damage can be detected.

The two described below fall into that category.

Daniels (1912) summarized our knowledge of abnormalities

in American land mollusks. Most are the result of damage to

the shell or are reversals in direction of coiling. However, he

does include two reports of seemingly undamaged scalariform

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 19

specimens. One specimen of Oreohelix strigosa depressa (now

UMMZ 127942), and a specimen of Anguispira alternata figured

by Wheat (1907) (now ANSP). The Oreohelix has five whorls

and abnormal growth starts with the post-embryonic whorls.

No evidence can be detected of any damage to the shell in the

area where abnormal growth starts.

In working over the extensive Royal Ontario Museum of

Zoology collection of mollusks (now being added to the Uni-

versity of Michigan collection), I found a single scalariform

Anguispira alternata without data. The specimen has a diameter

of 17.8 mm., height of 15.2 mm. with six whorls. The embryonic

whorls are normal, but all subsequent growth is abnormal. Once

again there is no apparent trace of injury. The specimen is now

UMMZ 181323 and is figured on pi. 1, fig. 7 (lower fig.).

A scalariform specimen of Triodopsis fraudulenta vulgata was

collected October 9, 1952 from a woodlot on Geddes Road, 2.3 mi.

east of the University Museums building near Ann Arbor, Michi-

gan. The specimen was dead, but in good condition, with five

and five-eighths whorls, 14.8 mm. in diameter, 9.9 mm. high.

The parietal tooth was reduced to a low ridge; otherwise the

aperture is normal. Again, the nuclear whorls are normal and

there is no trace of injury to the shell. The specimen is now

UMMZ 181324 and is figured with a normal specimen from the

same locality on PI. 1, fig. 7 (above). I believe this is the first

reported scalariform polygyrid snail.

T. van Hyning (1923) reported a scalariform Hawaiia minus-

cula alachuana. "The nucleus and first whorl are normal, then

it suddenly becomes scalariform. What caused the whorls to

separate is not possible to determine."

Unlike the abnormalities reported by Wetherby (1878), none

of the three I examined shows any trace of an injury which would

explain the abnormal growth. In all three cases, the nuclear

whorls are normal. A study to determine the possible causes

of such growth through experimental injuring of young snails

might produce interesting results.

References

Daniels, L. E. 1912. Abnormal shells. Nautilus, 26 (4), pp.

38-42, pi. V.

van Hyning, T. 1923. A scalariform specimen of Zonitoides

minusculus alachuanus Dall. Nautilus, 36 (3), p. 105.

20 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Wetherby, A. G. 1878. On the deformities of some Tennessee

helices. J. of the Cincinnati Soc. of Nat. Hist., Oct. 1878, pp.

1^.

Wheat, S. C. 1907. Abnormal shells. Bull. Brooklyn Conch.

Club, I (1), pp. 3-4, figs. 4-7.

OREOHELIX IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY,

CALIFORNIA

By JOSHUA L. BAILY, JE.

In the original description of Oreohelix calif ornica from San

Bernardina County, Berry (1931) states that this is the first

record of this genus from the mainland of the state, with the

possible exception of a rumor of a single specimen taken on

Cuyamaca Mountain. This peak is in San Diego County of

which I am a resident, and the possible occurrence of an Oreo-

helix almost in my own back yard induced me to pursue this

rumor to its origin.

In reply to my inquiry Dr. Berry stated that the shell had been

taken by Charles L. Cass. Accordingly I called on Mr. Cass who

obligingly showed me the specimen. That it was correctly identi-

fied as an Oreohelix I have no doubt. I asked him why he had

never named it and published a description of it, and he told me

that he had submitted it to the late Junius Henderson for the

purpose, but that the latter had advised against this course.

I then called on Mr. Henderson who was living in San Diego

at the time. He explained to me that Mr. Cass himself did not

know where the specimen was found. I returned to Mr. Cass

who related the account of its discovery.

He had been told of a locality on the mountain where Hel-

minthoglypta cuyamacensis could be obtained. Accordingly he

visited this locality but did not follow the main highway. He

took instead a less travelled road farther to the south. On the

way, before reaching the foothills, he stopped at what looked like

a good collecting ground, and found several specimens of Hel-

minthoglypta traskii. Later in the day he succeeded in reaching

the locality he had started for, where he obtained specimens of

Helminthoglypta cuyamacensis, which he put into the same con-

tainer, as he had only the one with him. On returning home

he found no difficulty in separating the two species but there was

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 21

one specimen that did not belong- to either. He did not recognize

this as an Oreohelix at the time as he was not familiar with this

genus, but thought he had found a deformed Haplatrema. There

are two species of this genus in San Diego County, both of which

live near the coast, and it was natural under the circumstances

for him to conclude that he had picked up this specimen at the

first locality. Later, when he became acquainted with Oreohelix

he recognized his find and concluded that it must have been taken

at the higher altitude. (Oreohelix is characteristic of high alti-

tudes, the name means "mountain snail.")

I communicated this information to both Mr. Henderson and

Dr. Berry. The former felt that since Mr. Cass had not recog-

nized the shell as being unusual when he picked it up made it

impossible to rule out the possibility that it may have been in

the container before he left home, but Dr. Berry produced a

letter which he had received from Mr. Cass shortly after the shell

was found, in which the latter stated that Mrs. Frank Stephens

had found three snail shells with carinated peripheries on the

desert near the eastern boundary of San Diego County. I called

on Mrs. Stephens, who did not remember having told Mr. Cass

any such thing. Together we spent about an hour going through

her collection but found nothing. I then consulted Mr. Cass, but

he had forgotten having written Dr. Berry about Mrs. Stephens'

shells.

About a year ago I met Mr. Cass in the vault of a bank in San

Diego. He told me he had come there to put the shell into his

safety deposit box for safe keeping. He allowed me to examine

it superficially. It appeared to be an Oreohelix of the subgenus

Radio cent rum. I dropped a pretty strong hint that I would like

to have it loaned to me for more detailed examination, but he did

not rise to the suggestion, and I had to watch him put it away

and then lock the box.

Last summer when I was in England, Mr. Cass died. On my

return I learned that his house had been sold, his estate closed,

and his personal effects distributed. I contacted the executor

of his estate, who told me that he had not seen the shell when the

safety deposit box was opened. He consulted the inventory

made at the time and reported that the shell was not listed in it.

He also gave me the name of the purchaser of the shells in Mr.

Cass's home, and I wrote her but she replied that nothing answer-

ing the description which I gave her was among them.

22 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Mr. Cass's description of the first locality where he collected

was very vague, but that of the second was quite exact. It was

on the west side of the road between Descanso and Cuyamaca

State Park, where the road was concave to the east, and crossed

a culvert through which a trickle of water was flowing. There

are two localities answering this description, but they are within

a few hundred yards of each other, and anything found at either

one is likely to be found at the other as well. I have searched

both, but did not find Oreohelix. I did not even find Helmin-

thoglypta.

The geographic distribution of Oreohelix is interesting. Its

metropolis is in the Rocky Mountains, and one species, now

extinct, is found as far east as Iowa (Pilsbry, 1939). It gets as

far west as Celilo on the Columbia River. In California there

are only two records — one, that of Oreohelix calif ornica already

mentioned ; the other is Oreohelix avalonensis found by Hemphill

(1911) on Catalina Island, and described a half century ago, and

which has not been taken since, although many collectors have

searched for it diligently. An Oreohelix in San Diego County

would be surprising in view of the activity of collectors here in

the past, but the distribution of the genus makes it seem not

unreasonable to suppose that one may exist here. My object in

putting these data on record is to encourage modern explorers

to look for it, and I hope that their efforts will meet with success.

Literature cited

Berry, S. S. 1931. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 10, v. 8, p. 115,

f. 1, 2.

Hemphill, H. 1911. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist., v. 1,

p. 104, pi. 4.

Pilsbry, H. A. 1939. Monog. no. 3, Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., v. 1,

p. 413.

THE ZONITIDAE OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY,

VIRGINIA

By LESLIE HUBRICHT

This paper is the fourth installment on the land snails of

Pittsylvania County, Virginia. The first, on the Polygyridae,

was published in The Nautilus, vol. 64, no. 1, July, 1950. The

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 23

second, on the Limaeidae and Philoniycidae, was published in

vol. 65, no. 1, July, 1951. The third, which treated the remain-

ing families except the Zonitidae, was published in vol. 66, no. 1,

July, 1952. The present paper concludes the series.

Euconulus fulvus (Mull.). Found only on the bluffs along

the Roanoke River from Smith Mtn. Gorge to northeast of Hurt.

Euconulus cher sinus (Say). Generally distributed over the

county in upland oak woods.

Euconulus chersinus dent at us (Sterki). Generally distrib-

uted over the county, preferring drier situations than the typical

subspecies.

Guppya sterkii (Dall). Generally distributed over the county,

but not common.

Oxychilus cellarius (Mull.). Found on a cellar wall in Dan

ville.

Retinella ourringtoni (Pilsbry). Found on the bluffs and in

ravines along the Roanoke River from Smith Mtn. Gorge to

northeast of Hurt.

Retinella wheatleyi (Bland). Generally distributed over the

county, in upland oak woods.

Retinella lewisiana (Clapp). Known only from a single speci-

men collected under a log in an upland oak woods along US-29,

now within the city limits of Danville.

Retinella rhoadsi (Pilsbry). Generally distributed over the

county, but not common.

Retinella indentata (Say). Generally distributed over the

county.

Retinella cryptomphala solida H. B. Baker. Known from a

single specimen collected on Brier Mtn., near Callands.

Mesomphix rugeli oxy coccus (Vanatta). Common in the hills

along the Dan and lower Sandy Rivers.

Mesomphix capnodes (W. G. Binney). Common on the bluffs

along the Roanoke River from the Smith Mtn. Gorge to northeast

of Hurt.

Paravitrea mtdtidentata (Binney). Found only in the Smith

Mtn. Gorge, 5 miles north of Sandy Level.

Paravitrea capsella (Gould). Found on the bluffs along the

Roanoke River from Smith Mtn. Gorge to northeast of Hurt.

24 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

There is considerable variation in the development of the teeth.

Some very young shells will be toothless, but most of them have

rows of two or three teeth. Most adult shells are toothless but

an occasional shell will have teeth.

Hawaiia minuscula (Binney). Found on waste ground in

Danville, where it is probably introduced.

Ventridens suppressus (Say). Found in the hills in the north-

western part of the county. Its range extending as far east as

Hurt, and as far south as Callands.

Ventridens gularis (Say). Generally distributed over the

county, in meadows, clearings and along roadsides.

Ventridens collisella (Pilsbry). Found abundantly on the

bluffs along the Koanoke River from Smith Mtn. Gorge to north-

east of Hurt.

Ventridens ligerus (Say). Common in the flood plains of the

Dan and Roanoke Rivers.

Ventridens intertextns (Binney). Generally distributed but

not common, in clearings and along roadsides.

Zonitoides arboreus (Say). Generally distributed and com-

mon.

Striatum meridionalis (Pilsbry & Ferriss). Generally dis-

tributed over the county along river bluffs and in ravines.

Genus and species unknown. A single shell found on the bluff

along the Banister River, 1.5 miles northwest of Riceville.

The shell is translucent, pale yellowish, depressed, a sculpture

of fine growth wrinkles appearing under high magnification, the

sutures distinctly impressed; umbilicate, the umbilicus 3.35

times in the major diameter of the shell ; major diameter 1.3 mm.,

whorls 3.3. The shell appears to be mature. The general ap-

pearance suggests a young of Helicodiscus singleyanus inermus

H. B. Baker, but it is distinctly smaller for a shell of the same

number of whorls, the umbilicus is smaller, and the shell is not

so impressed around the umbilicus. It is undoubtedly a new

species but I do not care to name it without anatomical material

to determine its affinities. So far, attempts to find additional

material have been unsuccessful.

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 25

FRESH-WATER MUSSELS USED BY ILLINOIAN

INDIANS OF THE HOPEWELL CULTURE

By MAX E. MATTESON

University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois

(Concluded from April number, p. 138)

By examining the list of different mussels which were taken

from the stream by the Indians at that time and recognizing the

type of habitat required by each of these, we are able to deter-

mine somewhat accurately the nature of the stream as it existed

in 500 B.C. It must have flowed in a shallow basin which is

still in existence today on either side of its present channel

(fig. lb). The river's width at that time was 30 to 40 feet.

The water was relatively low in velocity, clear, and flowed over

sand, gravel, and other types of substrata which were favorable

for the existence of the former unionid community. Today, the

creek flows over a clay substratum fifteen feet below the former

river's basin. The floor of the older river-bed is composed

chiefly of sand and gravel. It may be postulated that the stream

began to destroy its original bed when flooding increased, due

to topographical changes brought about by the farming activities

carried on by the present inhabitants of Illinois.

It seems evident that if the habitat demands of an animal

or, preferably, a group of animals which are living today can

be well established, the environment may be described where

these animals formerly occurred. This is taking for granted,

of course, that the groups are of the same species. Variations

which might develop, even to the formation of a new subspecies,

might bring about a new habitat demand which would nullify

any speculation of past conditions.

It also seems feasible that, within limitations, conditions

somewhat removed from the original habitats of animals who

formerly occupied the area may be ascertained. An ecological

situation existing at any point in a lotic environment is partially

the result of factors operating farther up-stream and, more

remotely, conditions existing in the surrounding territory, al-

though the latter may be strictly terrestrial in nature. As an

illustration, substances may enter a stream by surface drainage

and influence the organisms living there for a considerable dis-

26 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

tance below its point of entry. In general, the accuracy with

which a former situation may be described is indirectly propor-

tional to its distance from the original site at which the animals

of known environmental requirements lived.

By means of carbon 14 determination, the approximate time

when any given animal existed can often be determined. This

may be done by testing either the remains of the animal itself

or some objects with which it was closely associated. By ex-

ploiting all available knowledge concerning its life history, the

nature of the former environment may be ascertained. There

are many opportunities for further research in this field.

Bibliography

Baker, Frank C. 1928. The fresh-water Mollusca of Wis-

consin. Pt. II. Pelecypoda. Bull. Wis. Geol. Nat. Hist. Sur.,

No. 70: 1-485.

. 1930. The use of animal life by the mound-building In-

dians of Illinois., Trans. 111. Acad. Sci., 22: 41-64.

. 1931. Additional notes on animal life associated with

the mound-builders of Illinois. Trans. 111. Acad. Sci., 23:

231-235.

Ortmann, A. E. 1920. Correlation of shape and station in

fresh-water mussels (naiades). Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc, 59:

269-312.

Ortmann, A. E., and Bryant Walker. 1922. On the nomen-

clature of certain North American naiades. Occas. Pap. Mus.

Zool., Univ. Mich., No. 112: 1-75.

Schalie, Henry van der. 1938. The naiad fauna of the Huron

River, in southeastern Michigan. Misc. Pub., No. 40, Mus.

Zool., Univ. Mich., 1-83.

THE MOLLUSKS INHABITING SOME TEMPORARY

POOLS AND PONDS IN ILLINOIS AND OHIO

By EALPH W. DEXTEE

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

I. Introduction

Mollusks were collected from temporary pools in Champaign

County and a portion of neighboring Vermilion County of East

Central Illinois during the spring seasons of 1935-37 as part of

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 27

a survey of fresh-water mollusks in that region. Collections

were made again from the same pools in April of 1941 and in

March of 1945-50 inclusive. Most of the collecting after the

first year of field work was carried out while engaged in a survey

of the fairy shrimps (Anostraca, Crustacea) in these vernal

pools and ponds. During the ten years from 1941-50 a similar

survey was made of fairy shrimp populations in temporary

bodies of water found in Portage, Summit, and Stark Counties of

northeastern Ohio, and again the mollusks inhabiting these pools

were collected. In the summer of 1941 and 1949 observations

were made on the aestivation of mollusks in the dried-out basins

of many of these pools. While these collections were for the most

part made rather incidentally in connection with another field

study, they are probably representative of the mollusks inhabit-

ing the specialized environment of temporary bodies of water.

Altogether 208 pools and ponds were examined in this study,

23 in Illinois and 185 in Ohio. A total of 137 of these, or 67%

of the total, were found to contain mollusks. Undoubtedly a

more thorough sampling would have resulted in the collection

of specimens from more of the ponds. Some of the pools were

examined but once, some a few times, while others were sampled

every year for a period of ten years. A few pools were visited

several times each season and 21 pools were examined after

drying out as well as during the spring season. Two pasture

pools were under observation all months of the year for several

years. Those pools which contained fairy shrimps were visited

more often and sampled more carefully than those which did not

contain those sporadic crustaceans. Collecting took place for

the most part between the months of February and May inclu-

sive, and in addition the dried pools were examined from June

to August. Collections were made with a dip net during the

spring and a garden trowel during the summer. Acknowledg-

ment is made to Mr. Richard L. Snyder for assistance in the

study of the Stark County pools during the spring of 1950.

The two regions studied are located in the Central Plains in

one case and the Allegheny Plateau in the other. Both regions

were covered by the late Wisconsin glaciation; both have clay

subsoils providing a clay bottom for the ponds. Most of the

ponds investigated are natural depressions, which are more

28 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

numerous in Ohio than in Illinois because of the rolling topog-

raphy of the Allegheny Plateau. Both areas receive an average

of 37 inches of annual rainfall which is well distributed through

the year, but often with a large share of it falling in the spring

months.

In all there were 17 species of gastropods collected and three

genera of sphaeriids. All the 12 species of aquatic snails are

pulmonates belonging to the families Physidae, Lymnaeidae, and

Planorbidae. There were three amphibious species, two belong-

ing to the genus Succinea and one to Fomatiopsis, and two ter-

restrial slugs of the genus Deroceras. Strangely enough, the

slugs were often found submerged in the water and frequently

so in large numbers. Shells of certain land snails were some-

times found in the water as well as in the dried-out basins.

These were probably remnants from terrestrial mollusks living

there during the dry seasons. Shells of Mesodon, Triodopsis,

Vertigo, Gastrocopta, and Cicmella were thus collected. The

great majority of the polygyrid shells were immature. In gen-

eral, mollusks were not abundant, although in 36 ponds the

common species were present in abundance. Eight species of

gastropods and all 3 genera of fingernail clams were collected in

large numbers from one or more of the pools. Most of the mol-

lusks were collected on or among vegetation. Bodies of water

examined ranged from very shallow puddles in which the water

did not remain for more than a few weeks to ponds five feet in

depth and which contained water during the greater part of the

year, but yet are dried out for at least a brief period annually.

A few of the deeper ponds are known to have a small amount

of water in the center of the basin throughout years of heavy

precipitation. These were few in number, however, and they

always had a wide, dry margin every ' summer. Habitats in-

cluded the following types : temporary pools and ponds found

in pastures, field, flood plains, woods ; ditches along roadsides

and railroad beds; and cattail, sedge, button-bush, willow, and

pin oak swamps. About half of the species of mollusks collected

were widely distributed among the various types of temporary

bodies of water. Field ponds contained the greatest number

of species and roadside ditches the least. The deeper ponds

did not contain more mollusks than pools of moderate depth

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 29

as might be expected. Very shallow pools, however, were seldom

inhabited with mollusks.

Identifications were made or verified by the use of keys in

Goodrich and van der Schalie (1944) and by comparison with

named specimens in the Rush Collection of mollusks at Kent

State University. All species found in Ohio had been earlier

listed for the state by Sterki (1907), under one name or another,

and those found in Illinois had been reported by F. C. Baker

(1902).

II. Species Collected

Physa gyrina Say was the most abundant and widely dis-

tributed snail found in this study. A total of 65 pools and

ponds including' all of the habitat types contained this species

which seems to be universally distributed in both space and

types of aquatic environments of the east central states. It was

especially common in field ponds. Its near relative Aplexa

hypnorum (Linnaeus) was found in only three ponds which were

of different types : a pasture, a field, and a woodland pond. In

all three cases, however, this species was very common. The

most abundant lymnaeid was Lymnaea obrussa Say. This was

found in 61 pools and ponds especially those in fields and pas-

tures and was the second most abundant and widely distributed

gastropod. Like Physa it was found in every type of aquatic

habitat. L. columella Say was collected from 25 stations, L.

palustris (Miiller) was found in 17 of the ponds, and L. parva

Lea was found in 12 places, all three of these being found in a

wide variety of ponds, but most often in those of fields and pas-

tures. L. caperata Say was collected from only 2 stations.

Gyraulus parvus (Say) inhabited 27 ponds of all types whereas

G. hirsutus (Gould) was found in only 3 places. Helisoma

trivolvis (Say) was found 13 times, while Menetus exacuous

(Say) was taken 3 times, once each in a cattail swamp, willow

swamp, and flood plain pond. Planorbula armigera (Say) was

collected from 3 localities and Pomatiopsis lapidaria (Say) was

collected only twice — the former in pasture and woodland ponds

of Ohio whereas the latter, the only operculate snail collected in

this study, was found on a flood plain of the Salt Fork River near

Homer, Illinois. Succinea retusa Lea was collected from 6 ponds

and S. avara Say was found in 3 places. The slugs provisionally

30 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

identified as Deroceras reticulatum (Miiller) and D. larve (Miil-

ler) were frequently found in these temporary pools of water.

The former species was found in 24 of the stations of a wide va-

riety of habitat and the latter species was found with it 7 times.

All 3 genera of the fingernail clams were collected in this survey.

Sphaerium (probably 8. occidentale Prime) was recorded from

37 pools and ponds, Muscidium from 22, and Pisidium from 10.

Undoubtedly specimens of these bivalves could have been found

in a greater number of cases had more care been given to

collecting from the bottom sediments of the collecting sites.

III. Mollusc an Populations

While the common species collected were found widely dis-

tributed and in a great variety of types of pools and ponds,

there seem to be certain assemblages more or less characteristic

of a certain type of habitat. The following is a synopsis of

the species collected in certain selected stations to illustrate the

best development of molluscan populations encountered in this

field study. A roadside ditch in Stark County was found to

contain Helisoma trivolvis, Physa gyrina, and a great abundance

of Pisidium sp., while the ditch of a railroad fill in Portage

County yielded the following species — Physa gyrina, Lymnasa

obrussa, L. palustris, L. parva, Gyraulus parvus, Succinea retusa,

and Pisidium sp. A field pond in Portage County contained

P. gyrina, A. hypnorum, L. obrussa, L. palustris, G. parvus, D.

reticulatum, Sphaerium sp. and Musculium sp. A pasture pool,

also in Portage County, had the following assortment : A. hy-

pnorum, L. obrussa, L. columella, G. parvus, and Sphaerium sp.

A pasture pond in Stark County has had the following mollusks :

L. obrussa, L. palustris, G. parvus, D. agreste, D. gracile, and

Musculium sp. A sedge pond of Summit county has yielded

specimens of P. gyrina, L. obrussa, L. columella, G. parvus,

Sphaerium sp. and Muscidium sp. A cattail pond in the same

county has had P. gyrina, L. columella, G. parvus and Sphaerium

sp. A grassy swamp pond of Stark County contained H. tri-

volvis, L. obrussa, L. palustris, G. parvus, D. agreste, Sphaerium

sp., Muscidium sp., and Pisidium sp. A buttonbush swamp pond

in Summit County has had P. gyrina, L. obrussa, L. columella, G.

parvus, D. agreste, Sphaerium sp. and Musculium sp. A similar

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 31

swamp in Champaign County, Illinois, has produced specimens

of P. gyrina, H. trivolvis, D. agreste, and Musculium sp. A

willow swamp in Portage county has been found to contain M.

exactions, S. retusa, D. agreste, D. gracile, and Musculium sp.

A woodland pond in Portage County contained P. gyrina, L.

obrussa, L. columella, G. parvus, Sphaerium sp. and Musculium

sp. Two flood plain ponds of Portage County had the following

species in common : P. gyrina, L. obrussa, L. palustris, G. parvus,

Sphaerium sp., and Musculium sp. One, however, had in addi-

tion H. trivolvis and D. agreste whereas the other contained M.

exacuous. Two flood plains, both in Champaign County, Illinois,

had the following species in common: P. gyrina, L. obrussa, L.

columella, P. lapidaria, but one contained in addition Succinea

avara while the other one contained Sphaerium sp.

IV. Aestivation of Temporary Pond Mollusks

During the summer months when the pools were dry, 21 of

them were visited for collection of material and observations

on aestivation. A great many empty shells were found scattered

over many of the dried-out basins, but only a very few living

mollusks were found. For the most part, these were under a

matrix of decaying vegetation which formed a protective mat

over the ground and afforded a moist microhabitat in which the

mollusks could survive. Strandine (1941) reported similar ob-

servations. Some were also found among the roots of plants,

in moist soil, and a few under logs, boards, and similar debris.

In a number of cases the snails were found concentrated in a

small pocket in the lowest portion of the basin where they had

apparently followed down the water level as it evaporated and

were finally left exposed. If all of the water had not evaporated

at the time of visitation or if a small amount of water collected

from summer rain, the mollusks were concentrated in such a

puddle of warm water during its brief existence. Some of the

snails found in aestivation, especially L. palustris, had formed an

epiphragm while others had not. Mozley (1932) earlier reported

epiphragm formation by this species living in temporary ponds.

In the region of his study (Winnipeg, Manitoba) L. palustris is

active for only two months of the year.

Sterki (1912), H. B. Baker (1914), F. C. Baker (1919, 1928),

32 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

Mozley (1928, 1932), Henderson, (1932), Strandine (1941),

Cheatum (1934), van der Sehalie (1940), Ingram (1941), Dickin-

son (1948^9), and Kenk (1949) have all listed mollusks col-

lected from temporary aquatic habitats, including various species

mentioned in the present paper. Many of these writers also

discussed the subject of aestivation and reported instances of

mollusks in temporary pools surviving periods of dryness by

burrowing into the bottom sediments and taking advantage of

cracks and similar natural recesses which develop in dried mud.

H. B. Baker (1914) observed the appearance of large numbers

of juvenile specimens of Lymnaea palustris and Aplexa hypnorum

as soon as rain filled the depressions. Since he had found no

adults living in the sediments he believed that the eggs were

resistant to drying. He found juvenile specimens of Sphaerium

occidentale surviving within the protecting shells of the dead

parents. Kenk (1949) and the present writer also found only

juvenile specimens of sphaeriids to survive a period of drought.

Mozley (1928) and Henderson (1932), however, have reported

finding full-grown snails active in temporary pools on the first

day of filling. Cheatum (1934) has discussed both hibernation

and aestivation among fresh-water pulmonates and conducted

experiments on these phenomena. Precht (1939) also conducted

experiments on resistance to desiccation. Ingram (1940) de-

scribed the survival of a colony of fingernail clams during dry

seasons and Kenk (1949) has reported observations and sum-

marized the literature on survival of the Sphaeriidae during

periods of drought. H. B. Baker (1914) and Goodrich and van

der Sehalie (1944) attributed the distribution of mollusks in

many temporary pools to birds as carriers of these animals which

have become adapted to living in a unique environment.

Literature Cited

Baker, F. C. 1902. The Mollusca of the Chicago area. Part

II. Gastropoda. Nat. Hist. Surv. of Chicago Acad, of Sciences

Bull. 3 (2) : 131-420.

. 1919. The ecology of North American Lymnaeidae.

Science 49 : 519-521.

1928. The fresh water Mollusca of Wisconsin. Part II.

Pelecypoda. Bull. Univ. of Wisconsin. No. 70.

Baker, H. B. 1914. Physiographic and molluscan succession

in lake pools. Rept. Mich. Acad. Sci. 16 : 18-45.

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS S3

Cheatum, E. P. 1934. Limnological investigations on respira-

tion, annual migratory cycle, and other related phenomena in

freshwater pulmonate snails. Trans. Micros. Soc. 53 (4) :

348-407.

Dickinson, Jr., J. C. 1948(1949). An ecological reconnaissance

of the biota of some ponds and ditches in northern Florida.

Quart. Jour, of Florida Acad, of Sci. 2 (2-3) : 1-28.

Goodrich, Calvin, and Henry van der Schalie. 1944. A re-

vision of the Mollusca of Indiana. Amer. Midi. Nat. 32 (2) :

257-326.

Henderson, J. 1932. Prolonged aestivation of lymnaeids.

Nautilus 45 : 140.

Ingram, W. M. 1941. Survival of fresh-water mollusks during

periods of dryness. Nautilus 54 (3) : 84-87.

Kenk, Roman. 1949. The animal life of temporary and perma-

nent ponds in southern Michigan. Misc. Pub. Museum of

Zoology, Univ. of Mich. No. 71. 66 pp.

Mozley, Alan. 1928. Note on some fresh water Mollusca in-

habiting temporary ponds in western Canada. Nautilus 42:

19-20.

. 1932. A biological study of a temporary pond in western

Canada. Amer. Nat. 66 (704) : 235-249.

Precht, H. 1939. Die Resistenz gegen Austrocknung bei

Planorbiden. Zool. Anz. 128 (5/6) : 124-135.

Sterki, V. 1907. A preliminary catalogue of the land and

fresh-water Mollusca of Ohio. Proc. Ohio State Acad. Sci.

4 (8) special paper no. 12: 367^02.

. 1912. Fresh water mollusca living out of water. Nau-

tilus 26 (6) : 64-65.

Strandine, E. J. 1941. Effect of soil moisture and algae on

the survival of a pond snail during periods of relative dryness.

Nautilus 54 (4) : 128-130.

van der Schalie, Henry. 1940. Aestivation of Lymnaea

lanceata (Gould). Nautilus 53 (4) : 134-135.

A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE LAND MOL-

LUSKS OF ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA

By EDWARD H. MICHELSON

I. Introduction

Although the marine mollusks of Florida have been studied

in great detail and the fresh-water and land shells of South

Florida and the Florida Keys to a considerable extent, relatively

34 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

little has been published concerning the terrestrial mollusks of

northern and north-central Florida, With the exception of E. G.

Vanatta (1920, 1928), few workers have concerned. themselves

with the fauna of this region.

This survey was undertaken, from June, 1950, to June, 1951,

to investigate the biology of the land mollusks of Alachua

County. It was centered around a study of their ecology and

distribution. During the year, approximately 100 collecting

stations covering the various types of vegetational associations

were systematically collected. In order to assure equal and

adequate coverage of the various associations, all collecting trips

were plotted upon a large vegetation map which had been

divided into 30 sections based upon ranges and townships.

A total of 40 species were found. Nine additional species and

subspecies have been recorded in the literature from this area,

but were not collected during the present survey.

In the past fifty years Florida has changed from a virgin,

tropical paradise to one of the most exploited pieces of real estate

in the United States. Through the years, the natural vegetation

has receded before urbanization, until today there is little left of

the "wild" tropical beauty that once covered a major portion

of the state. It is hoped that some record will be made of the

distribution and habits of its land mollusks before they have

vanished from the contemporary scene.

II. Description of the Eegion

Alachua County is located in the north-central portion of the

Florida peninsula at latitudes 29° 25' to 29° 57' and longitudes

82° 04' to 82° 39'. It covers an area of 581,760 acres, of which

228,275 acres are in cultivation. The county is characterized by

the presence of numerous lakes and streams. It is bordered on

the north by the Santa Fe River.

The geology of this region is of some importance in the study

of the ecology of land mollusks, in that the basic raw materials

for soils are developed from rock strata. In the main, the soils

of Florida have been developed from formations consisting of

limestones, marls, and marine deposits of sand and clay (Hender-

July, 1953] THE NAUTILUS 35

son, 1939). Underlying the entire state are limestones which

are exposed in some limited areas, chiefly the Central Highlands.

Most of the limestone deposits are buried beneath more recent

depositions of clay, marl, and sand; however, the depth of such

cover varies, so that the characteristics of the soil are often

directly influenced by the underlying limestones. This is of

some importance to the abundance and distribution of terrestrial

mollusks, for most are calciphilic to some degree.

Alachua County is a portion of the Central Highlands (Cooke,

1945), which extends from the Georgia state line southward to

Glades County, and is enclosed between the St. Mary's and the

Withlacoochee Rivers. The topography of the area is of a

diverse nature including low hills, swamps, and plains. The soil

is of a sandy nature being derived from the Pleistocene terraces,

Hawthorne formation, and the Pliocene Citronelle formation.

Practically the entire northeastern portion of Alachua County

is underlain by the Hawthorne formation which in turn rests

upon Ocala Limestone. The higher western portions of the

county appear to be underlain by "Alachua Clays" of the

Alachua formation, which is unique in that it was not deposited

in water, but rather by the compacting of collapsed portions of

the Hawthorne formation. The southern part of the county

rests primarily on Ocala limestone.

Alachua County lies approximately 180 feet above sea level,

which is about average for the Central Highlands. The average

annual mean precipitation for the county is 49.36 inches. July

usually has the highest precipitation of 7.32 inches while Novem-

ber is the driest month, having 2.04 inches. Half of the pre-

cipitation occurs from June to September and is convectional

rather than cyclonic.

The average annual temperature for Alachua County, is 80

degrees. The hottest months are July and August, the coolest

January and December. Temperatures below 28 degree are un-

usual and snow is a rarity. The county, however, is not immune

to frosts, December 3 and February 26 being the average dates

of the first and last killing frosts.

(To be continued)

36 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (1)

NOTES AND NEWS

Dates of the Nautilus. — Vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 1-36, pis. 1-4, was

mailed July 25, 1952. No. 2, pp. 37-72, pi. 5, November 17, 1952.

No. 3, pp. 73-108, pis. 6 and 7, Feb. 2, 1953. No. 4, pp. 109-144,

i-v, pis. 8-10, June 8, 1953.— H. B. B.

Discus rotundatus (Muller) from New Jersey. — In R. C.

Alexander's "Checklist of N. J. land snails" (Nautilus 66, p.

54), this species was not included. I found it living in large

colonies (several hundred snails) at two stations, about a quarter

mile from each other, at the extreme southeast corner of Millburn

Township, Essex County, elevation about 100 feet, on what was

formerly known as the Whittingham Estate. The Westline rail-

road once ran through this area. The soil is gravelly loam with

much vegetation. The snails were found alongside a hiking path

on the moist, shady sides of large rocks. Oxychilus cellarium,

Zonitoides arboreus, Cionella lubrica and several species of slugs

were found in the same area with Discus rotundatus. — Sam D.

Freed, Union, N. J.

The Boston Malacological Club. — Meetings were held on the

first Tuesday of every month October through May at the Mas-

sachusetts Audubon Society Library, 155 Newbury St., Boston,

Mass., at 8 P.M. On June 15th, 1952, the Annual Club Outing

was held at Half Way Pond in Plymouth Township, Mass. It

was the largest and most successful of the recent outings with

everyone enjoying the abundant fresh water collecting. At the

monthly meetings from October to May, the following com-

munications were given :

Malacology in New England, Miss Ruth D. Turner.

American Conchologists and their Books, Mr. Richard Johnson.

Molluscan Fauna of the Puget Sound Region, Dr. Emery F.

Swan.

Shipworms — Enemies of Man, Miss Ruth D. Turner.

Buoy Collecting off the North Carolina and Florida Coasts,

Dr. Arthur Merrill.

Mollusks and Parasites, Dr. Wilber Bullock.

The following officers have been elected for 1953-54 : President,

Mr. Herbert Athearn. Vice President, Mr. Arthur H. Clarke,

Jr. Conchological Recorder, Dr. Joseph C. Bequeart. Secre-

tary-Treasurer, Miss Margaret Farrell. Executive Committee,

Mr. Arthur Merrill, Mr. Edward II. Michelson.

The nautilus

Vol. 67 OCTOBER, 1953 No. 2

MAGNIPELTA, A NEW GENUS OF ARIONIDAE

FROM IDAHO

By H. A. PILSBEY

A single specimen of a slug from 4% miles south-southeast of

Lolo Pass, Idaho, at 4500 ft. elevation, was collected by Dr. and

Mrs. R. T. Orr, July 19, 1948. It was submitted by Mr. Allyn

G. Smith to the author for determination. What remains of

this specimen is No. 32640 Paleo Type Coll., California Academy

of Science. Lolo Pass, in the Bitter Root Range, is in a part

of the state where very little if any previous collecting of mol-

lusks has been done.

On opening the specimen it was at once apparent that it was

a young slug. The genital system was only partially developed,

the ducts thread-like and extremely fragile. Moreover, the

viscera were partially macerated though the external integument

was still in good condition.

I have withheld report on this slug for some years in the

hope that other specimens would turn up; but it seems best to

direct attention to such a peculiar species, though only an in-

adequate account can be given at this time, and its systematic

place remains unknown. A new genus to be called Magnipelta

is indicated, characterized by the structure of mantle and foot

described below.

Magnipelta mycophaga, new species. Plate 5, figs. 1, 2, 3.

The slug in alcohol is short, the mantle covering far the

greater part of the upper surface. The mantle is free an-

teriorly for more than one-fourth of its length, smooth, chamois

37

38 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

colored with an irregular black stripe on each side and else-

where unevenly spotted with black. The quite short respiratory

slit is slightly post-median on the right side. Length of mantle

16 mm. The foot is lighter colored than the mantle, spotted

with black on the flanks posteriorly. It has an irregular poly-

gonal impressed reticulation. The pedal margin is quite nar-

row, the pedal grooves meeting above the tail without any trace

of a caudal pore. The sole is transversely wrinkled at the sides,

the middle third smoother, but it is not distinctly tripartite.

The jaw is thin, with about 16 flat ribs. It resembles closely

that of Zacoleus (Proc. A. N. S. Phila., 1903, pi. 28, fig. 3).

Fleshy ridges radiate partly spirally from the orifice where

the oesophagus enters the long stomach. The intestinal folds

are about as in Zacoleus, Prophysaon and Anadenulus but

shorter, corresponding to the shorter body.

The kidney and heart are about as figured for Hesperarion

niger (Cooper).

The specimen, when found, was feeding on one of the larger

fungi, which suggested the species name.

A NEW NISO FROM AMERICAN WATERS

By PAUL BAETSCH

A number of years ago I bestowed the manuscript name Niso

hendersoni upon a most exquisite member of the genus from off

our Gulf and southern coast. The specific name is intended as

a little tribute to my friend, John Brooks Henderson, a former

regent of the Smithsonian Institution, whose early death inter-

rupted a brilliant career in marine exploration and robbed us

of a master in the molluscan field. Mr. Henderson's immense

collection rests in the U. S. National Museum, and part of the

specimens here listed were dredged by him.

Niso hendersoni, n. sp. PI. 5, fig. 4.

Shell large, very regularly elongate-conic, with flattened

polished, shining whorls. The early whorls are decollated in

all our specimens. The early remaining turns are yellowish

THE NAUTILUS 67 (2)

PLATE 5

Figs. 1, 2, 3, Hagnipelta pliycopliaga. Type.

Fig. 4. Niso hendersoni. Type.

Fig. 5. Onoba jaclcsoni. Type.

Fig. 6. Bulimulus novoleonis X about 21/o. Type.

THE NAUTILUS 67(2)

PLATE 6

Fig. 1. Strobilops pilsbryi, n. sp. Paratype, broken to show internal

lamellae (USNM No. 251195).

Tigs. 2, 3. Strobilops pilsbryi, a. sp. Holotype, Whitby Cave, Bermuda.

(USNM No. 618751).

Figs. 4, (5. Strobilops sinaloa, a. sp. Holotype, from Sinaloa, Mexico.

(USNM No. r>!>2719).

All approximately X 15.

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 39

white; the later whorls gradually develop a striking color pat-

tern which consists of an uninterrupted slender brown line at

the periphery, which is crossed by elongate axial brown spots

that extend for about an equal distance upon the whorls and

down upon the base. These dark spots are separated by white

areas which are two or three times as wide as the dark marks,

forming a light spiral zone, which emphasizes the dark markings.

Another light spiral zone, about half as wide as the peripheral,

is present at the summit, which, like the peripheral zone, is

interrupted by brown marks that appear synchronous with those

at the periphery. The space between the two light zones has

a faint brownish flush. The base is openly umbilicated, the

funnel-shaped umbilicus being surrounded by a rather sharp

keel, and having a diameter one-third that of the base. The

sharp edge of the umbilicus is marked by a slender brown line

of about the same width as the dark line at the periphery, and

which, like that at the periphery, is crossed by dark and light

axial areas that extend upon the base and into the umbilicus.

The space between the light sub-peripheral and umbilical zone

hase the same brownish tone characterizing the middle portion

of the whorls, which is also the color of the interior of the um-

bilicus. Aperture obliquely oval, outer and inner lip slightly

expanded, thin.

The type, U.S.N.M. Cat. No. 93966, was dredged by the U. S.

Bureau of Fisheries at station 2402, between the Mississippi

Delta and Cedar Keys, in 111 fathoms on mud bottom. It has

15 whorls remaining and measures : length, 27.8 mm. ; diameter,

10.3 mm.

U.S.N.M. Cat. No. 43390, a half grown specimen, was dredged

by Mr. Henderson in 40 fms. off Fowey Light, Miami, Florida.

U.S.N.M. Cat. No. 433091, a fragment, was dredged in 1913

by Mr. Henderson at Eolis station 104, in 50 fms. off Fowey

Light.

U.S.N.M. Cat. No. 87268, a fragmented tip, evidently fish-

chewed, was dredged by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, at station

2619, in 15 fms., on sand bottom off Cape Fear, North Carolina.

This species appears nearest related to Niso splendidula

40 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

Sowerby * which was originally collected by Hugh Cuming at

Santa Elena, Colombia. The more elongate, slender shape of

the new species will distinguish it from its Pacific coast analogue.

A NEW RISSOID MOLLUSK FROM MARYLAND

By PAUL BARTSCH

In 1924 Mr. Ralph W. Jackson submitted a lot of minute

shells to me for identification, upon which I then bestowed the

manuscript name Onoba jacksoni. Stress of many duties caused

me to overlook the publication of the description of the species,

a fact which was recently brought to my attention. The species

to which I am now giving status appears to have been distributed

under this name. Mr. Jackson has been kind enough to send

me the material he has collected since his original sending.

Onoba jacksoni, new species. Plate 5, fig. 5.

Shell very minute, ovate-conic, thin, semitranslucent, horn

colored. The nucleus consists of a little more than one strongly

rounded smooth turn forming a blunt apex. The postnuclear

whorls are inflated, strongly rounded, marked by microscopic

spiral threads, of which 7 are present upon the first turn, 16

upon the next, 20 upon the third, and 26 upon the last whorl.

These spiral threads are stronger and more distantly spaced

upon the anterior portion of the turns than on the posterior.

Periphery strongly rounded. Base with a narrow umbilical

chink, marked by microscopic spiral lines like those on the spire.

Aperture oval, peristome thin, parietal wall with the merest

wash of a callus. The type has 5 whorls and measures : length

2.4 mm. ; diameter 1.1 mm.

The type, U.S.N.M. Cat. No. 361662, was collected by Mr.

Ralph W. Jackson, at Town Point, on the Little Choptank

River, near Dailsville, Dorchester Co., Maryland. U.S.N.M.

Cat. No. 361663 contains 80 paratypes from the same source.

i Eulima splendidula Sby., 1834. Proc. Zool. Soe. London, 1834, p. 6 ;

Coneh. Illustr. Eulima, 1834, pi. 53, figure 7.

Niso splendidula Sby., Reeve, 18C6. Coneh. Iconiea, vol. 15, Niso,

figure 7.

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 41

Paratypes from the type locality are in the collection of the

Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, and in

Mr. Jackson's collection. Three further localities are repre-

sented in Mr. Jackson 's collection : Bolingbroke Creek, Talbot

County, and Tedious Creek, Crocheron and Dailsville, 5 miles

west of Cambridge, both in Dorchester County. All of these

places are on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay. In the

latter locality the shell was found living on eel grass, which is

probably its normal habitat.

From the type of the genus, Onoba semicostata (Montagu,

1803), inhabiting European waters, and from Onoba aculeus

(Gould, 1841), found from Nova Scotia to Long Island Sound,

the present species differs in being thinner, smaller, and openly,

through narrowly, umbilicate. The aperture is more regularly

oval, with the long axis almost vertical and not diagonal, and

the columellar margin not flattened; the peristome is thin and

not internally thickened, and in one plane, the outer lip not

being arched forward. Until the animals of this species are

examined, the exact generic position of this species cannot be

definitely settled.

THE SCIENTIFIC ROLE OF THE

AMATEUR MALACOLOGIST

By DAVID NICOL

U. S. National Museum i

How can the amateur malacologist best serve the field of

science that is his hobby? What could be his most valuable

contributions ? These are questions that many serious amateurs

consider. Professional malacologists, because they benefit from

the work of the amateurs, should also consider these questions

and suggest answers to them.

In my own field of work I am primarily concerned with

marine mollusks. I therefore direct my suggestions to amateurs

who are interested in the same field of study; but perhaps my

i Published by permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-

tution.

42 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

ideas are equally applicable to those who study land and fresh-

water niollusks.

Many amateur nialacologists concentrate on taxonomic stud-

ies which include mainly faunal lists and descriptions of new

genera, species, subspecies, and varieties. In this type of work

the amateur is often badly handicapped by the lack of a good

library and large collections from many localities. Further-

more, although taxonomic work appears to be relatively easy,

it is becoming increasingly complex. New species of mollusks,

especially the larger ones, are becoming more difficult to find,

and the vast taxonomic literature on mollusks is burdened with

countless synonyms and homonyms. In fact, the burden of

names has already become too great ; as a result, the broader and

more comprehensive aspects of the classification of mollusks are

being neglected — or drowned in a sea of taxonomic minutiae

I suggest, therefore, that amateur nialacologists in the future

attempt fewer contributions to the taxonomic literature.

This does not mean that the amateur need not study taxonomy.

On the contrary, it is essential that the amateur, as well as the

professional, strive to classify and document his collections cor-

rectly. To know the correct name of a species of mollusk the

researcher is working on is absolutely necessary; otherwise the

observations have little if any value. Papers that are pri-

marily taxonomic, however, should not be the forte of the

amateur. Instead, the amateur can make much more valuable

scientific contributions in other fields of malacology.

What is greatly needed is the amateur who treats the mollusk

as a living animal, not one who treats it like a stamp and adds

a new and rare variety to his collection as his greatest personal

satisfaction. Many of the most common mollusks are the most

interesting and, furthermore, the most important. To put a

premium on uniqueness benefits neither the professional nor the

scientifically minded amateur.

Many amateurs have more opportunity to observe the living

mollusks than professional nialacologists, much of whose time

must be devoted to curatorial or teaching activities. Amateurs

can make valuable observations on depth and type of bottom

where the living mollusk is found, time and mode of spawning,

observations on the larvae, how and on what the mollusk feeds,

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 43

and the like. Many of these observations can be made with a

minimum of equipment. The professional taxonomist and the

economic malacologist would be glad to see these observations

published. The professional would, furthermore, be eager to

assist the amateur in identifications and interpretations.

An example or two of what is needed seems apropos. When

I was working on the genus Echinochama (Nicol, 1952), I

needed some ecological observations, particularly on the type

of bottom on which these pelecypods live. I had access to some

data on dredged specimens at the U. S. National Museum, but

could I be certain that these data were accurate? Perhaps all

the specimens had been dead and had been swept into foreign

environments by waves and currents long before they were

dredged. I wrote to Mr. Tom McGinty and asked him on what

type of bottom he found living specimens of Echinochama. He

replied that Echinochama usually lives on a bottom of broken

shells. This observation did not jibe with most of the dredging

records on specimens at the Museum, but, needless to say, I

used Mr. McGinty 's observations on living specimens rather

than the dredging records on dead ones.

Many observations by amateurs can be of economic impor-

tance. What gastropods are carnivorous? What species do

they feed on? When do some of the common mollusks spawn

and under what conditions? Many of these observations, par-

ticularly on the commoner species, are made by malacologists

working for the Federal Government or a State government.

Many thousands of dollars are spent every year collecting such

data, and the amateur could often supply that information by

publishing his observations. It is astounding to find what little

has been published on even the simplest ecological facts on the

most common and commercially important mollusk species.

Many species problems could be solved by field observations

made by the amateur malacologist. As a hypothetical case, a

common clam lives in a muddy bay; and a very similar form

lives in shallow water far out in the Gulf of Mexico. The bay

specimens may have a slightly different shape and perhaps

differ in other minor details from specimens found in the Gulf

of Mexico. Perhaps all that is needed to settle the question as

to whether there are one or two species is to observe the time of

44 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

spawning of the two forms. An observant amateur can solve

the problem as skilfully as any professional.

Thus, the amateur 's most valuable contributions to the science

of malacology can result from his consideration of mollusks as

living animals. Carefully recorded observations, if published,

can aid the professional economic malacologist and the profes-

sional taxonomist in malacology.

Reference

Nicol, David, 1952. Revision of the pelecypod genus Echino-

chama. Jour. Paleontology, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 803-817.

LYMNAEA STAGNALIS IN EGYPT

By A. FOUAD ABDEL-GHANI i

Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt

Members of the genus Lymnaea have a world wide distribu-

tion. Although L. cailliaudi is the common species found in

Egypt, Pallary (1924) listed five species, i.e., L. cailliaudi, L.

acroxa, L. alexandrina, L. truncatula and L. raffrayi. He did

not describe L. stagnalis or list it for Egypt.

During April of 1953 the author made a preliminary survey

of mollusks in Wadi El Natroun, on oasis-like area in western

Desert of Egypt, approximately 60 miles northwest of Cairo.

The search was made primarily to learn whether L. cailliaudi

occurred in this area. Specimens of L. stagnalis were dipped

from the vegetation along the margins of both clear and stagnant

pools of water in the wadi. Planorbis philippii, P. mareoticus

and Succinea were also found. The following plants were com-

mon in the pools: Cyperus laevigatus, Typha augustata, Zani-

chiella palustris, and Veronica anagallis. The first two plants

i The author wishes to express appreciation to Dr. A. Ezzat who sug-

gested survey of the Wadi El Natroun area; to Dr. Eobert E. Kuntz of

NAMRU-3 for assistance in preparation of the manuscript; to Dr. B.

Hubendick and Dr. A. Mozley for confirmation of identification of snails

and to Dr. I. S. Helmy under whose supervision the work has been done.

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 45

are preferred by both snails and grazing animals. The water

had a pH of 7.3.

Most of the snails went into aestivation during the 24 hour

period between time of collection and return to the laboratory.

These readily emerged and became active when placed in

aquaria containing tap water and lettuce. During the period

of one month 104 L. stagnalis deposited approximately 500 egg-

masses, varying in length from 13 to 65 mm., and containing

from 23 to 180 eggs ; polyembryony was common. The measure-

ments of the larger specimens are as follows: overall length or

height 50 mm. ; maximum breadth 26 mm. ; height of spire 25

mm. There are six whorls. Body and shell coloration is typical

of that described for the species. Identification of alcoholic

specimens has been checked by Dr. B. Hubendick and Dr. Alan

Mozley. Both feel that these are typical Lymnaea stagnalis.

The finding of L. stagnalis at Wadi El Natroun presents an

interesting problem in mollusk distribution. It seems strange

that the species should occur spontaneously in a desert area

where ecological conditions are not the best for survival and

where there is no direct means of introduction through rivers

or irrigation systems. The area is several meters below sea

level and is separated from the Nile Delta by fifteen miles of the

wadi desert and sand. "Water levels in the wadi fluctuate con-

siderably throughout the year. •

Freshwater in which snails were found is limited. Although

speculation is none too safe, two facts may be mentioned for

possible consideration: Wadi El Natroun lies in the path of

migrating birds to and from Africa and Europe. The area is

visited yearly by the nomadic Bedouins who travel across North

Africa, and to and from the Middle East. The goat skin water

bag is always carried and is filled from streams, springs and

other bodies of water as the Bedouin moves from one locality

to another and serves as a possible means of transfer for aquatic

invertebrates.

Reference

Pallary, P., 1924. A la Faune Malacologique Terrestre et

Fluviatile de l'Egypte. Mem. l'lnstitut d'Egypte, Tome 7:

46-49.

46 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

LAND MOLLUSKS FROM NUEVO LEON, MEXICO

By H A. PILSBRY

Bulimulus (Rabdotus) novoleonis, new species. PI. 5, fig. 6.

Mexico, state of Nuevo Leon: Cerro Potosi (near Galeana), at

about 10,000 ft. Collected by C. N. Mueller. Type 191020

ANSP.

The narrowly umbilicate oblong-conic shell is rather slender,

the length nearly twice the diameter ; thin. The dead shell is

white. The embryonic shell of about IV2 convex whorls is smooth

at first then with regular sculpture of fine but weak axial

riblets separated by somewhat wider intervals. The apex is

obtuse, with deep sutural dimple. Later whorls are convex and

have unevenly spaced riblets and wrinkles. The aperture and

peristone are shaped about as in B. dealbatus.

Length 12 mm., diameter 6.4 mm., length aperture 5.4 mm. ;

5% whorls.

This appears to be a dwarf mountain form of the B. dealbatus

group.

Erectidens, new genus

The shell is somewhat similar to Polygyra, but differs by its

fewer whorls, small size and thin texture, and by the form of

the parietal tooth, which is entirely transverse, being a thin,

marginal erection of the parietal callus somewhat as in Steno-

pylis, without any such obliquely entering part as is seen in

Polygyra.

Type Erectidens trichalus, n. sp.

That this peculiar little snail is directly related to Polygyra

appears doubtful. In the only Polygyra approaching Erectidens

in size, P. pustula (Fer.), the parietal tooth is not marginal,

and has an entirely different structure. The Mexican shell ap-

parently represents a new genus. As it was not collected alive,

or seen in the field, its place in the system remains uncertain

until living examples are secured.

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 47

Erectidens trichalus, n. sp. Figs. 1, 2.

Mexico, state of Nuevo Leon : Drift debris of the Rio Maurisco

near its junction with the Rio Carrizo to form the Rio Ramos.

Collected by the author, 1934. Type 164748 ANSP.

The very thin shell is discoidal with the spire only slightly

convex, the periphery bluntly subangular, the base with an open

umbilicus which is contained about 3.4 times in the diameter.

There are 4% rather convex whorls, the first one and two-thirds

smooth, the rest having thin, widely spaced radial ribs, about

26 on the last whorl. The last whorl has a weakly concave

zone in the middle of its height, above and below which it is

convex. The base is somewhat convex. The aperture is tri-

lobed; the peristome thin, continuous, the outer lip expanded,

two lobed, with a short tooth within near its lower end. Basal

margin is straightened, narrowly reflected, thickened within,

with a tooth at about the outer third of its length. The parietal

margin is thin, rising into a high squarish lamellar tooth oppo-

site the contraction of the outer lip.

Height 1.65 mm., diameter 3.35 mm.

The single specimen was found in a small quantity of flood

debris, taken home for examination as it was seen to contain

shells, chiefly Pupillidae. The Rio Maurisco is a short stream

on the eastern slope of the Sierra Madre Oriental, about 25

kilom. south of Monterrey.

The widely spaced, slender riblets and the concavity around

the peripheral curve of the last whorl are not seen in any other

snail known from Mexico or the United States. No color re-

mained in the dead specimen.

48 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE LAND MOL-

LUSKS OF ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA

(Concluded from July Issue)

By EDWAKD H. NICHELSON

III. Description of Vegetational Communities

The vegetational communities studied during this survey will

be briefly described; a more thorough description may be ob-

tained from Laessle's (1942) paper on the area.

Scrub Communities : Scrubs are usually well drained, sandy

areas dominated by sand-pine (Firms clausa) ; however, the

drainage in such communities may be no better than High Pine

communities. The topography is of the rolling type and the lack

of a hard pan accounts for the excessive drainage in such areas.

Herbaceous vegetation in exceedingly sparse and considerable

areas of white sand are characteristic. The apparent lack of

herbaceous vegetation, more than likely, accounts for the in-

frequency of ground fires. The vegetation that does occur is

usually 6 to 8 feet in height with variations caused largely

by the length of the intervals between fires. Typical vegetation

of this area includes sand pine (Pinus clausa), scrub oak (Quer-

cus myrtifolia) , live oak (Q. virginiana) , saw palmetto (Serenoa

repens), and rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides). The type of major

habitat indicated by the scrub community is limited in this

county and occurs only in a small area around Newman's Lake.

High Pine-Turkey Oak Communities : This community is some-

times more xeric than the scrub. Like the scrub there are areas

which are bare of vegetation and lighted by the sun. In this

community, as in the scrub, fire is an important factor and the

relative proportion of pine to oak is determined by the frequency

of fires. The pine, being less susceptible, is usually the dominant

plant. This community may exist predominantly as pine, as oak,

or as a mixture of the two. The characteristic vegetation in-

cludes the long-leaf pine (Pinus palustris), which at times is

dominant, turkey oak (Quercus laevis), and wire grasses. Red

oak (Q. falcata) may be present.

Hammock Communities : Hammock communities have been

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 49

defined by Laessle (loc. cit.) as woods dominated by broadleaved

evergreen trees, never flooded but well drained or saturated.

The hammock communities of Alachua County are divided into

three types : xeric, mesic, and hydric.

(a) The xeric hammocks are characterized by being rather

open, with live oak, the dominant species, scattered irregularly

throughout. Other characteristic species are blue-jack oak (Q.

cinerea), laurel oak (Q. laurifolia), and cabbage palms (Sabel

palmetto). The soil is well drained and with the heavy tran-

spiration of the larger trees accounts for the xeric conditions.

(b) The mesic hammocks contain richer soils than do the xeric

hammocks and show a greater water holding capacity. This is

due to the accumulation of organic matter. Laessle considers

the climax condition of this type of hammock to be a Magnolia-

Ilex hammock. Laurel oak, live oak, water oak (Q. nigra), and

sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) are frequently present.

The vegetation of mesic hammocks is more dense than that of the

xeric hammocks, allowing little sunshine to fall on the forest

floor. Fire is not too frequent in this community, but when it

does occur, it may cause a regression to the scrub or turkey

oak community.

(c) The hydric hammocks, oftentimes referred to as low-ham-

mocks, have soils which are poorly drained though never flooded.

The high saturation evidently places a check on fires and they

rarely occur in such localities. The arboreal plants character-

istic of such communities consist of sweet gum, red bay (Persea

borbonia), Florida elm (Ulmus floridana), cabbage palm, and

wax myrtle {Myrica cerifera).

Flatwood Communities : The flatwoods are characterized by

poorly drained flat land, normally dominated by either Pinus

palustris or Pinus Elliotti, soils of high pH, and rather abundant

herbaceous ground cover in the absence of fire. It is, however,

the general practice in this area of Florida to burn over the flat-

woods periodically to provide improved grazing land. The two

types of flatwood communities investigated were the long-leaf

pine and slash pine communities. The long-leaf pine and sabal

palmetto being prevalent in the first, while slash pine, gallberry

{Ilex glabra), and wax myrtle are in abundance in the latter.

50 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

The slash pine communities frequently lie between the long-leaf

Pine flatwoods and low elevations.

Ruderal Communities : This term is applied to those areas

whose natural flora has been disturbed by man. It is a broad

definition and includes arable fields, roadsides, lawns, orchards,

and other such areas. In addition to the previously designated

communities, two additional areas have been investigated. These

are dry prairie, occurring only at one location, and limestone,

sinks, which are numerous throughout the county.

IV. Frequency of Occurrence

The regularity with which a given molluscan species is found

to occur in a given type of habitat may be called its frequency

of occurrence. In Table I an attempt is made to present a

unified picture of the frequency of species in the vegetational

habitats of Alachua County. To accomplish this purpose, six

categories have been selected : hammock communities, scrub com-

munities, pine flatwoods, high-pine turkey-oak communities, lime-

stone sinks and outcroppings, and ruderal communities. The

symbols "C", "F", "0", and "R", are used to represent

common, frequent, occasional, and rare occurrence. Common

species are those found more than 75 percent of the time in a

given type of habitat. Frequent species are present from 50 to

74 percent of the time. Species found 25 to 49 percent of the

time are occasional, while those collected less than 25 percent but

more than 1 percent of the time are considered rare. No symbol

is used for species found less than 1 percent of the time, but

these are included in Table I to indicate their occurrence in the

county.

In addition to those species found in Table I, several other

species are recorded in the literature as occurring in Alachua

County which were not found in the present survey. Ventridens

ligera has been reported by Van Hyning (fide Pilsbry, 1946).

Pilsbry believes that it was introduced, and in view of the lack

of records from elsewhere in Florida, this seems to be sub-

stantiated. Vanatta (1923) reports the presence of Carychium

exile and Helicina orbiculata at two localities — Buzzards Roost

and the Devils Mill Hopper. Examination of both locations has

Oct., 1953]

THE NAUTILUS

51

failed to produce a single specimen of either species. Both areas

have undergone great phytographic changes in the past twenty

years, and it is likely that these species have been exterminated

as a result. With respect to Carychium exile it is more plausi-

ble, however, to assume that Vanatta confused this species with

Carychium floridanum, for there is no other record of the former

Table I. Frequency of occurrence of Molluscan species in the

habitats of Alachua County

52 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

species occurring anywhere on the Florida peninsula. Striatum

milium has also been reported by Vanatta. In view of the

present distribution of this species, West Virginia and Ken-

tucky being the southern limits so far as I can determine, it is

very likely that Vanatta 's specimens may have been Striatum

meridionalis.

Two races of Hawaiia minuscula have been reported by Pilsbry

as occurring in this county, Hawaiia minuscula mimiscula and

Hawaiia minuscula alachuana. The race alachuana was de-

scribed by Dall upon the shape of the umbilicus, which is

dilated, as compared to minuscula, which has a thimble-shaped

umbilicus. The majority of the specimens collected during this

survey had a thimble-shaped umbilicus; however, there were

transitions between the two shapes and a few specimens might

be considered as having a dilated umbilicus. The specimens

collected in the survey, in themselves, do not present a picture

of two well defined races.

Guppya sterkii, Retinella cryptomphala solida, Helicodiscus

singleyanus inermis, and Punctum minutissimum have also been

recorded as coming from this county (Pilsbry, 1946, 1948).

In view of the data obtained thus far, apparently the environ-

ments of the hammock associations and the limestone sinks and

outcroppings provide a suitable habitat for land mollusks. Like-

wise, the environments of the pine flatwoods (omitted from the

table, as only two species, Praticolella jejuna, frequent, and

Englandina rosea, rare, were found) and scrub localities are

least suitable.

Literature Cited

Cooke, C. Wythe. 1945. Geology of Florida. Florida Geo-

logical Survey, Geol. Bull. 29 : 1-339.

Henderson, J. R. 1939. The soils of Florida. Univ. Florida

Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. 334: 3-67.

Laessle, Albert M. 1942. The plant communities of the

Welaka area with special reference to correlations between

soils and vegetational succession. Univ. Fla. Pub., Biol. Sci.

Ser. 4 (1) : 1-143.

Pilsbry, H. A. 1946. Land mollusca of North America (North

of Mexico). Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 2(1): 1-520.

. 1948. Land mollusca of North America (north of

Mexico). Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 2 (2) : 52-1113.

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 53

Vanatta, E. G. 1920. Shells of Orlando, Florida. Nautilus

34: 31.

. 1928. Land shells of Alachua County, Northeastern

Florida. Nautilus 42 : 20-21.

TWO NEW AMERICAN SPECIES OF STROBILOPS

By J. P. E. MOERISON i

For the second time, after an interval of ten years, the Bureau

of Entomology and Plant Quarantine of the United States De-

partment of Agriculture submitted specimens of the Pulmonate

genus Strobilops from western Mexico, to the United States

National Museum for determination. A critical check of these

shells of the subgenus Discostrobilops with all related material

in the collections of the United States National Museum and of

the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, has shown that

they belong to a hitherto undescribed species, coming from a

geographic region in which the genus has not previously been

recorded.

In the course of this brief study it was discovered that this

genus also includes a species endemic to the Bermudas, which

has been hitherto unnamed. The description of the two new

species follows :

Strobilops pilsbryi, new species. Plate 6, figs. 1-3.

1904 Strobilops hubbardi Gulick, Proc. A.N.S.P., 1904: 413.

1904 Strobilops hubbardi Verrill, Trans. Conn. Acad. Sci.,

12: 168: fig. 53.

1927 Strobilops hubbardi vendryesiana Pilsbry (partim), Man.

Conch., 28: 49: 7: 10-12.

Gulick in 1904 remarked on the larger size of the adult he

saw from locality 806 (fossil in Bermuda). He gives the size

as altitude 1.2 diameter 2.8 mm. Pilsbry (1927) described the

Bermuda form as "larger, with the lip somewhat more thick-

ened. There is no interparietal lamella. The umbilicus is

wider [than in hubbardi] but somewhat variable; in a specimen

2.85 mm. in diameter the umbilicus is contained only 2% times."

i Published by permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

54 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

The sculpture is like that of hubbardi, but a little more regu-

larly striate above, and not as smooth below as in that species.

A critical examination of the few specimens from Bermuda in

the collections of the United States National Museum has shown

that this species is the only member of the subgenus Discostrobi-

lops that possesses a small coliimellar lamella! It is visibly

larger with a wider umbilicus than 8. hubbardi, but is yet

smaller in size and less coarse in sculpture than 8. sinaloa.

The holotype was received from Mr. Haycock, from Whitby

Cave, Bermuda. It is catalogued as USNM No. 618751, has 4.7

whorls and measures: height 1.4 mm., greater diameter 2.8 mm.,

aperture height 0.7 mm., aperture diameter 1.2 mm. ; width of

umbilicus 0.8 mm.

The broken paratype which is figured to show the lamellae,

and two additional paratypes, are catalogued as USNM No.

251195, from the same locality and source.

Its geographic restriction as now known to the Bermudas,

both Recent and Pleistocene, and its shell characters, are indica-

tions that pilsbryi is a distinct species, not a variation of

hubbardi.

Strobilops sinaloa, new species. Plate 6, figs. 4-6.

The shell is large (for the group), subdiscoidal with very low

spire, translucent, horn colored, irregularly coarsely ribbed

above and smoothish below the rounded periphery. Nucleus of

1V4 whorls, smooth ; postnuclear whorls irregularly closely ribbed

above, the ribs obsolete on the base. Close, microscopic spiral

lines are visible above and below, but are somewhat indistinct.

The aperture is rounded lunate, with a moderately expanded

and thickened lip. Parietal lamella strong, highest at the

apertural end ; infraparietal lower, internal, and not emerging

to the aperture in adult shells. No interparietal lamella seen.

Nearly a half whorl behind the aperture is a series of four basal

folds, and one palatal fold above the periphery. The first basal

is shorter, subconic ; the outer three are longer, subequal, parallel

and equally spaced, running for about one-tenth of a whorl.

The single palatal fold is linear, a little shorter than the outer

basals, and is a little farther behind the aperture than the basal

folds.

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 55

The holotype, USNM No. 592719, has 4.7 whorls and measures :

height 1.4 mm., greater diameter 3.1 mm. Aperture height 0.8

mm., aperture diameter 1.3 mm., width of umbilicus 1.0 mm.

This species may be easily distinguished by its large size, with

wider whorls below and apparently proportionately narrower

umbilicus than S. pilsbryi. It is much larger and irregularly

coarser in sculpture above than 8. hubbardi. It is the only

species of the group now known with a palatal lamella (above

the periphery).

The holotype was among specimens of snails intercepted No-

vember 20, 1948, by the Bureau of Entomology and Plant

Quarantine of the United States Department of Agriculture

at Nogales, Arizona, on succulent plants from Sinaloa, Mexico.

It was taken in company with young individuals of Humboldti-

ana sp., Bulimulus sp., and Retinella indentata paucilirata (More-

let). Whether it lives in Sinaloa in the same places as the species

of Humboldtiana is at present unknown.

Three paratypes, USNM No. 522681, were intercepted by the

Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine of the United

States Department of Agriculture on January 6, 1939, at San

Francisco, California, on orchids shipped from Mexico. Pre-

sumably these specimens which agree with the type in all char-

acters are also from western Mexico. The fact that they oc-

curred on orchids may eventually lead to their discovery in

nature and better localization of their habitat in the state of

Sinaloa, Mexico.

Key to the American species of the subgenus Discostrobilops

A. Shell with a small columellar lamella in addition to four

basals . . . pilsbryi Morrison. (Bermuda Islands.)

AA. Shell without any columellar lamella.

B. Shells with basal lamellae only . . . hubbardi (A. D.

Brown). (Florida; Gulf coast to northeast Mexico;

Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamaica.)

BB. Shells with four basal lamellae and one palatal lamella

above the periphery . . . sinaloa Morrison. (Sinaloa,

Mexico.)

56 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

VIVIPARUS MULTILINEATUS (SAY) 1829,

FROM FLORIDA

By J. P. E. MOERISON i

Thomas Say at first thought this banded species was identical

with the European genotype, since in his earliest works he in-

cluded it under, or called it Paludina vivipara. In 1829 (New

Harmony Disseminator, 2: 245) Say separated it, but he mis-

identified it as elongata of Swainson. However, with his de-

scription and remarks on the material at hand, he said it was

from the St. John's Kiver, Florida (LeConte), and proceded

to publish and so validate his own manuscript name, multilineata,

for this species. Although Say again called it vivipara in the

American Conchology (part 1, plate 10, middle figures, 1830),

he there figured the shell (holotype of multilineata) received

from LeConte. Haldeman, in his 1840 Monograph, also pub-

lished the name multilineata Say in the synonymy of his bengal-

ensis, and refigured Say's holotype (plate 7, figs. 3-4).

Tryon in 1866 virtually renamed Say's Florida species, with

the additional new material collected by Mrs. Walton, as Vivi-

para waltonii. He discusses at length and then rejects the name

multilineatus Say, to rationally clear the way for his new name.

Under present international rules of nomenclature, no available

names may be rejected as Tryon did in this case on grounds of

inappropriateness. The variety name fasciatus Tryon 1870 con-

cerns only individual variation within the species, such speci-

mens occurring with plain individuals in many populations from

different localities.

Meanwhile, Isaac Lea had described Paludina georgiana from

the Altamaha River, Georgia, in 1837. Considered distinct for

many years, it remained for Goodrich (1942) to show it was

identical with Say's species. Unfortunately, Goodrich did not

look behind Lea's 1837 name for the possibility of earlier avail-

able names. Reexamination of all the specimens of the genus

Viviparus in the United States National Museum collections has

corroborated the statement of Goodrich (1942) that these is no

specific difference between georgianus and waltoni (whose correct

i Published by permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Oct., 1953 J THE NAUTILUS 57

name is multilineatus Say). The synonymy of this Florida

species includes :

1829. Paludina multilineata Say, New Harmony Disseminator,

2: 245; (Aug. 12, 1829); Mrs. Say's reprint (1840), p. 21;

Binney 's reprint (1858), p. 146. (in synonymy of Paludina

elongata Say, not P. elongata Swainson 1822).

1830. Paludina vivipara Say (in part), American Conchology,

part 1, plate 10, middle figures.

1837. Paludina georgiana Lea, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, new se-

ries, vol. 5, p. 116, plate 19, fig. 85.

1840. Paludina vivipara Haldeman (in part), Monograph

Limniades, part 1, p. 17, pi.* 6, figs. 3-4.

1840. Paludina georgiana Haldeman, Monograph Limniades,

part 1, p. 23, pi. 7, figs. 1-2.

1840. Paludina bengalensis Haldeman (in part), Monograph

Limniades, part 1, p. 24, pi. 7, figs. 3-4.

1852. Paludina georgiana Kiister, Conch. Cab., 1(21) : p. 15,

pi. 3, figs. 7-8.

1852. Paludina wareana (Shuttleworth MSS in:) Kiister,

Conch. Cab., 1(21) : p. 21, pi. 4, figs. 10-11.

1862. Paludina haldemaniana (Shuttleworth MSS in:. Frau-

enfeld, Verh. K. K. Zool. Bot. Gesell. Wien, 1862, p. 1162.

1865. Vivipara contectoides W. G. Binney (in part), L. & FW.

Shells N. Am., part 3, p. 23, fig. 48.

1865. Vivipara georgiana W. G. Binney, L. & FW. Shells N.

Am., part 3, pp. 27-30.

1866. Vivipara waltoni Tryon, Am. Journ. Conch., Vol. 2, p.

108, pi. 10, fig. 2.

1870. Vivipara georgiana Tryon, Contin. Haldeman 's Mono-

graph, p. 16, pi. 14, fig. 5.

1870. Vivipara georgiana fasciata Tryon, Contin. Haldeman 's

Monograph, p. 17.

1870. Vivipara waltonii Tryon, Contin. Haldeman 's Monograph

p. 20, pi. 13, fig. 2.

1918. Viviparus georgianus fasciatus Walker, Catalogue, Misc.

Publ. No. 6, Mus. Zool., U. of Mich., p. 125.

1918. Viviparus haldemanianus Walker, Catalogue, Misc. Publ.

No. 6, Mus. Zool., U. of Mich., p. 125.

1918. Viviparus waltonii Walker, Catalogue, Misc. Publ. No.

6, Mus. Zool, U. of Mich., p. 127.

1918. Viviparus wareanus Walker, Catalogue, Misc. Publ. No.

6, Mus. Zool., U. of Mich., p. 127.

1942. Viviparus georgianus Goodrich, Nautilus, 55 (3), p. 88.

1942. Viviparus georgianus form wareanus Goodrich, Nautilus,

55 (3), p. 90.

58 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

To summarize briefly, the earliest valid specific name for the

common banded viviparous pond snail, from the Altamaha

River, Georgia, to the St. John's River, and east-central Florida,

in the lakes in general, is Viviparus multilineatus (Say) 1829.

This name is one of the few not listed in Sherborn, but nothing

in Sherborn 's Index Animalium (1801-1850) indicates it could

be preoccupied, either.

There are four other valid and distinct forms (subspp. or

spp.?) of Viviparus known from the Florida Region, namely:

Viviparus multilineatus altior Pilsbry 1892, from kitchen mid-

dens along Hitchen's Creek, Lake George, Florida.

Viviparus multilineatus limnothaumus Pilsbry 1895, from Lake

George, and westward in Western Florida rivers.

Viviparus (multilineatus f) walkeri Pilsbry & Johnson 1912,

from Juniper Creek, Lake County, Florida.

Viviparus (multilineatus ft) limi Pilsbry 1918, from the Flint

River system in Georgia and West Florida.

The last named form may better belong to the multilineatus

complex, rather than to contectoides, on the basis of shell char-

acters and distribution. The body-whorl of limi is much larger

and more expanded, flattened laterally, markedly less rotund,

than the body whorl of contectoides. The National Museum col-

lections do not include specimens of Viviparus contectoides

from any part of the Florida Region.

THE CASE OF PALUDINA MULTILINEATA SAY

By H. A. PILSBRY

This paper may be regarded as supplemental to that preceding

(p. 56), for the purpose of directing attention to some considera-

tions which the author of that paper overlooked or thought un-

important. It should be mentioned that he had been informed

of the objection to his conclusions.

In his paper of 1829 in the New Harmony Disseminator, Say

gave the following paragraph :

"3. P. elongata, Swainson. Capt. Leconte presented me with

a shell which, he informed me, he found in the river St. John,

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 59

Florida. I described it nearly four years since under the name

of multilineata, but recently, being about to publish it, on a

more attentive examination and comparison with a specimen of

the elongata from Calcutta, given to me by Mr. Hyde of Phila-

delphia, I have concluded that it varies from that specimen only

in having the umbilicus a little smaller."

Say never figured [Paludina] multilineata,1 and the only "de-

scription" he gave is: "it varies from that specimen [Paludina

elongata Swainson from Calcutta = V. oengalensis Lam.] only

in having the umbilicus a little smaller." This definition can-

not possibly apply to V. georgianus.

Paludina elongata Swainson (1821-2, pi. 98, upper and lower

figures) is a rather long-spired acute species having many dark

lines and narrow bands on an olive ground. It has long been

recognized as synonymous with Viviparus oengalensis (La-

marck), and Swainson 's figures well represent that well known

Indian species.

A specimen (No. 27007) given by Mrs. Say to the Academy

of Natural Sciences after Say's death, is believed to be Say's

type of multilineata, but as it does not bear Say's label to that

effect, we do not have absolutely positive evidence. Since Say

mentioned multilineata only to discredit it, he would not be

expected to keep that name in his collection. This specimen was

figured by Haldeman, Paludina, pi. 7, figs. 3, 4 (copied by W. G.

i Dr. Morrison 's statement that Say, in American Conchology, ' ' figured

the shell (holotype of multilineata), received from LeConte" is not sup-

ported by any published evidence. In that work Say stated that he had

two specimens of "P. vivipara" (the early writers thought V. georgianus

Lea and V. contectoides W.G.B. were identical with this similar European

species) from the St. Johns River from Mr. Elliott, and one from Capt

LeConte, who "obtained it at Lake George on the same river." Say did

not given any locality or collector for the specimen (of "P. vivipara" =

V. georgianus) he figured. In his synonymy of P. vivipara Say did not

mention P. elongata Swains, or multilineata Say, as he certainly would

have done had he considered them identical with "P. vivipara" Captain

LeConte had given "St Johns River" as locality for multilineata, not

Lake George.

Dr. Morrison stated that American Conchology plate 10, middle figures,

and Haldeman, Paludina, pi. 7, figs. 3, 4 are both illustrations of the

holotype of multilineata. A comparison of these very different figures

gives one a measure of the reliability of his statements; many of them

seem equally "ambiguous."

60 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (2)

Binney, 1865, p. 61, fig. 125). It is a "dead" specimen, faded,

but still showing six of the darker bands and it is indistinctly

subangular in the infraperipheral region.

Nelson Annandale, the brilliant zoologist of the Indian Mu-

seum, published an anatomic, ecologic and taxonomic study of

V. bengalensis in which the several forms of that species are de-

scribed. The Say type specimen of multiUneata corresponds

closely with Annandale 's plate 2, fig. 8, V. bengalensis phase

annandalei Kobelt, from pools in the Calcutta region polluted

by domestic use. He appears to consider it a depauperate eco-

logic form or phase owing to the contaminated habitat, rather

than a true subspecies. No competent conchologist who exam-

ined the specimen could confuse this Say shell with any form

of V. georgianus, and Say and Haldeman did not do so. Dr.

Morrison, whose competence we do not question, evidently

based his reference to georgianus upon a cursory glance at the

Haldeman figures, and implicit reliance upon the assigned

locality.

In this matter of the locality of multiUneata the following note

becomes important.

On the same page of the Disseminator with multiUneata, Say

described Ampullaria rotundata, which also was given to him

by Capt. LeConte, "who informed me that he found it in St.

Johns river in Florida." Ampullaria rotundata was described

as having a calcareous operculum. Beautiful figures of shell

and operculum drawn by Mrs. Say are pi. 75 of Say's American

Conchology, but it did not appear in the text of that unfinished

work. A. rotundata is a synonym of Ampullaria (now Pila)

globosa Swainson (1822, pi. 119), an Indian species.

It seems to me quite incredible that such an acute observer as

Say would confuse any form of V. georgianus (Lea) with V.

bengalensis, or that he would have given a speciment of V.

georgianus the name "multilineata." Say was no bungler at

conchology ; nearly every species he described has been recog-

nized and is still considered valid. If the LeConte shell had

been any form of V. georgianus, Say surely would have com-

pared it to V. vivipara which he knew, not with a very different

Indian species.

It appears reasonably evident that a mixture of specimens

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 61

was made by Captain LeConte, and the specimens of Paludina

and Ampullaria given to Say were both common Indian species

and not from the St. Johns River. Any attempt to resurrect

either name for an American species seems to me erudition

misdirected.

References

Lamarck, M. le Chevalier de, 1819. Hist. Nat. Animaux sans

Vertebres, VI.

Swainson, William, 1821-2. Zoological Illustrations II.

Say, Thomas, 1829. (New Harmony) Disseminator of Useful

Knowledge, Aug. 12.

Haldeman, S. Stehman, 1840-46. Monograph of the Fresh-

water Univalve Mollusca of the U. S. Paludina.

Binney, W. G., 1865. Land and fresh-water shells of N. A.,

part III, p. 61.

Annandale, Nelson, 1921, Records Indian Museum, XXII.

A REVIEW OF MARKS' SUBGENERA OF BUSYCON

RODING, TOGETHER WITH REMARKS PER-

TAINING TO THE GENUS x

By WILLIAM K. EMEESON

Museum of Paleontology, University of California

The late E. Sydney Marks recently erected (1950: 34)

Fulguropsis and Sycofulgur as new sub generic names for the

well-defined gastropod genus Busycon. In proposing Fulgurop-

sis as a new subgenus to replace "Sycotypus Gill, 1867, not

Gray, 1847, "2 Marks apparently overlooked Wenz's (1943:

1219) earlier valid replacement of Sycotypus Gill. Thus, Ful-

guropsis Marks, 1950 [type species: Busycon pyrum (Dillwyn)]

is a junior subjective synonym of Busycotypus Wenz, 1943

[type species: Busycon canaliculatum (Linne)]. Marks estab-

lished the subgenus Sycofulgur for the Miocene species Busycon

rugosum (Conrad) and differentiated it from Fulguropis

i Contribution from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Cali-

fornia, Berkeley, California.

2 Actually, not Gray, but Morch, 1852 : 110.

62 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

[= Busy coty pus] by the possession of "nodes on its shell

throughout its growth." The acceptance of Sycofulgur as a

nomenclatural category higher than a "section" is not in

harmony with the generally accepted classification of Busycon

(sensu lato). It is the writer's opinion that in order to per-

spicaciously utilize Sycofulgur as a subgenus, it would be neces-

sary to raise the presently recognized subgenera of Busycon to

full generic status, and in turn name and treat the several

bio-temporal species groups which comprise the genus as sub-

generic units. Though the considerable available data may be

sufficient to undertake such a revision, there still remain many un-

solved taxonomic problems 3 which would appear to preclude any

radical nomenclatural changes in the classification of the genus

at this time.

General remarks pertaining to the Busy cons

The busycons constitute one of the most prominent molluscan

elements in the eastern American Cenozoic marine faunas.

Available data would indicate that the group originated in the

Upper Cretaceous of eastern America as small, thin-shelled

species, and gradually evolved into many large, heavy-shelled

species. The genus attained an apparent acme in the Miocene

of the Atlantic coastal region, and is represented in the Recent

faunas by a few, but very conspicuous species, which, like their

fossil predecessors, are limited in distribution to the western

Atlantic coasts.

A number of writers have undertaken phylogenetic and taxo-

nomic studies of the genus. Prominent among these are : Gill

(1867), Conrad (1867), Dall (1890), Grabau (1903), Smith

(1914), Wade (1917), and Gardner (1944; 1948). The most

recent classification of the genus is that of Wenz (1943). Un-

fortunately, the section of this work in which the genus appears

is not generally available in this country. Inasmuch as the

busycons are of particular interest to American students, a par-

tial resume of Wenz's classification of the genus, together with

additional data, is provided below :

3 Especially perplexing is scarcity of data pertaining to the Eocene his-

tory of the genus; the significance of the sinistral forms is not thoroughly

understood.

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 63

Family GALEODIDAE

Subfamily BUSYCONINAE 4

Genus Busycon Roding, 1798

Busy con "Bolten" Roding, 1798, Museum Boltenianum, pt. 2,

p. 149.

Busy cum "Bolt." Morch, 1852, Cat. Conch. Yoldi, vol. 1, p. 104.

Busicon "Confrad] " Emmons, 1858, Kept. North Carolina Geol.

Surv., p. 248.

Type species: (by subsequent designation, Smith, 1938: 20) 5

Murex carica Gmelin, 1790 = Busycon carica (Gmelin).

Geologic range : Upper Cretaceous to Recent.

Diagnostic characters: Shell large, pyriform, thin to heavy;

spire short, terminating in a paucispiral, papillate nucleus;

body whorl large, inflated ; columella long, slender with a single,

somewhat obsolete fold ; spiral sculpture usually developed ; axial

sculpture expressed by growth lines and resting stages, often

tuberculate or spinose upon the periphery of the whorls; an-

terior canal long, open, somewhate recurved; posterior canal

lacking; operculum ovate, with apical nucleus; periostracum

thin, simple or ciliated.

Subgenus Protobusycon Wade, 1917

Protobusycon Wade, 1917, Amer. Journ. Sci., ser. 4, vol. 43, p.

295; Cossmann, 1917, Rev. Critique Paleozool., Annee 20, no.

3, p. 100; Wade, 1926, U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 137,

p. 136.

Type species: (by monotypy) Busycon cretaceum Wade, 1917.

•i Wenz (1943: 1211) followed Thiele (1931: 319) in not allocating to the

group a subfamily name, and placed Melongenidae auct. and Busyconidae

auct. (Fulguridae) in the family Galeodidae. See Wade (1917: 295) for

a review of the group's previous family and subfamily assignments.

s Smith (1938) has made a critical and apparently exhaustive study of

the involved type designation for this genus. He concludes that none of

the previous designations are valid, selecting Busycon carica (Gmelin) as

the type species. Although this designation appears to be valid, the citation

of Busycon muricatum Roding, 1798 [ = Murex carica Gmelin, 1790] as

the type species would have been in strict adherence to the Regies.

64 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

Geologic range: Upper Cretaceous [Ripley Formation, Mc-

Nairly Co., Tennessee (Senon.)].

Diagnostic characters : Shell small for genus ; character of

protoconch unknown; axial sculpture restricted to low, sub-

spinose nodules upon periphery of the whorls ; a secondary keel

outlines base of body whorl, keel beset with 4-5 obsolete spines ;

shallow sulcus at base of body whorl, terminating as a slight

projection at the margin of the inner lip.

Subgenus Busycon (sensu stricto)

Fulgur Montfort, 1810, Conch. Syst., vol. 2, p. 502, type species :

(by original designation) Fulgur eliceans Montfort, 1810 =

Busycon eliceans (Montfort).

Fulgus "Montf." Desmarest, 1856 [In Chenu], Enc. Hist. Nat.,

Crust. Moll. Zooph., p. 179.

Sycopsis Conrad, 1867, Amer. Journ. Conch., vol. 3, p. 184, type

species: (here designated) Busycon tuberculatum (Conrad),

1840.

Geologic range: [fEocene], Oligocene to Recent.

Diagnostic characters: Shell large to very large; axial sculp-

ture typically spinose or tuberculate on the periphery of the

whorls, whorls not separated by canaliculate suture ; periostra-

cum simple, not ciliated; radular dentition: rhachidian tooth

5-6 dentate, laterals 5-6 dentate, fide Stimpson.

Subgenus Busycotypus Wenz, 1943

Sycotypus "Browne" Gill, 1867, Amer. Journ. Conch., vol. 3, p.

147, type species: (by original designation) Sycotypus canali-

culatus (Linne), 1758 = Busycon canaliculatum (Linne).

Not Sycotypus Morch, 1852, Cat. Conch. Yoldi, vol. 1, p. 110.

Busycotypus Wenz, 1943, Handb. Pahiozool., vol. 6, Gastropoda,

div. 6, pt. 8, p. 1219 [new name for Sycotypus Gill, 1867, not

Morch, 1852] .

Fulgur opsis Marks, 1950, Nautilus, vol. 64(1), p. 34, type species :

(by original designation) Bulla pyrum Dillwyn, 1817 =

Busycon spiratum (Lamarck), 1816 [new subgenus replacing

"Sycotypus Gill, 1867, not Gray, 1847"].

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 65

Sycofulgur Marks, 1950, Nautilus, vol. 64(1), p. 34, type species:

(by original designation) Fulgur rugosus Conrad, 1840 =

Busy con rugosum (Conrad).

Type species: (by original designation) Murex canaliculatus

Linne, 1758 = Busy con canaliculatum (Linne).

Geologic range : Miocene to Recent.

Diagnostic characters : Shell large to very large ; whorls sepa-

rated by deep canaliculate suture; axial sculpture typically

tuberculate in juveniles, uniting, in senility, to form rounded

or keeled shoulders on the periphery of the whorls ; periostracum

ciliated; radular dentition: rhachidian tooth 3 dentate, laterals

4-5 dentate, fide Stimpson.

Literature

Clench, W. J., 1951, Busycon coarctatum Sowerby. Occasional

Papers on Mollusks, vol. 1, no. 16, pp. 405-409, pi. 50.

Conrad, T. A., 1867, Synopsis of the genera Sycotypus Browne

and Busycon Bolten. Amer. Journ. Conch., vol 3 (2) pp.

182-185.

Dall, "W. H., 1890, Contributions to the Tertiary Fauna of

Florida. . . . Part 1, Trans. Wagner Free Inst. Sci., Phila-

delphia, vol. 3, pp. 109-118, pis. 4, 9 [Fulgur].

Gardner, Julia, 1944, The Molluscan Fauna of the Alum Bluff

Group of Florida, pt. 7. U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 142-G,

pp. 449-458, pis. 49-50 [Busycon].

, 1948, Mollusca from the Miocene and Lower Pliocene of

Virginia and North Carolina, pt. 2. U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof.

Paper 199-B, pp. 238-243, pis. 33-36 [Busycon].

Gill, Theodore, 1867, On the genus Fulgur and its Allies.

Amer. Journ. Conch., vol. 3 (2), pp. 141-152, text fig.

Grabau, A. W., 1903, Studies of Gastropoda. II. Fulgur and

Sycotypus. Amer. Naturalist, vol. 37, pp. 515-539, 19 text

figs.

Marks, E. S., 1950, New subgenera of Busycon Roeding.

Nautilus, vol. 64 (1), p. 34.

Smith, Burnett, 1914, Morphologic sequences in the canalicu-

late Fulgurs. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., Proc, vol. 66, pp. 567-

578, pi. 24.

, 1938, Busycon carica (Gmelin) as a Genotype. Nautilus,

vol. 52 (1), pp. 16-20.

, 1939 a, A sinistral specimen of Busycon pyrum (Dillwyn).

Nautilus, vol. 52 (3), pp. 89-91, pi. 7, figs. a-c.

66 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

1939 b, Type specimen of Busy con perversum (Murex

perversus Linne). Nautilus, vol. 53 (1), pp. 23-26, pi. 7,

figs. 1-2.

Thiele, Johannes, 1931, Handbuch der Systematischen Weich-

tierkunde, Jena, p. 321 [Busycon].

Wade, Bruce, 1917, An Upper Cretaceous Fulgur. Amer. Journ.

Sci., ser. 4, vol. 43, pp. 293-297, 2 text figs.

Wenz, W., 1943, in Schindewolf, 0. H., Handbuch der Palao-

zoologie, vol. 6, Gastropoda, div. 6, pt. 8, pp. 1216-1219, figs.

3464-3466 [Busycon].

AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL UNION,

NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING

By MARGARET C. TESKEY

The American Malacological Union invaded the nest of the

Kansas Jayhawk late in June (1953) and found the large-

beaked bird with the purposeful mien to be a very hospitable

fellow indeed. For he is the mascot of the University of Kansas,

which was host to the A.M.U. on occasion of the nineteenth

annual meeting. All sessions and the annual dinner were held

in the beautiful Memorial Union Building, of which the "Jay-

hawkers" are justly proud. Proud too of their Natural History

Museum, where the visitors were conducted on a behind-the-

scenes tour. Both of these buildings are on the campus which

occupies what must surety be one of the most beautiful spots

in Kansas; its hilltop location with the Kaw river in the back-

ground overlooks the little city of Lawrence.

Although but seventeen persons were able to accept the in-

vitation of Dr. A. Byron Leonard, the meeting was an unquali-

fied success. The weatherman cooperated by knocking down

the heat wave which during the previous week had set a record

of 118°, and delegates from cooler climes had no complaint as

perfect summer weather prevailed during the three days the

meeting was in session, June 25th through the 27th.

A meeting of the Executive Council followed registration,

followed in turn by the annual business meeting. A revised

Constitution was submitted by the committee appointed for

that purpose ; approved by the Council, it will be placed before

Oct., 1953] THE NAUTILUS 67

the membership which will then be polled for its acceptance

or rejection. Three persons whose contributions to the field of

American malacology have been outstanding where honored with

life memberships : Dr. Paul Bartsch, Dr. S. Stillman Berry, and

Dr. Henry A. Pilsbry. The invitation of Dr. George M. Moore

to hold the 1954 meeting at the University of New Hampshire

was accepted. And finally, the following panel of officers was

nominated by the Council and elected to serve for the following

year :

President: Dr. Joseph C. Bequaert

Vice-president : Mr. M. K. Jacobson

2nd Vice-president : Mrs. Elsie M. Chace

Secretary Treasurer : Mrs. Margaret C. Teskey

Councillors-at-Large : Mr. R. Tucker Abbott

Mr. Ralph W. Jackson

Dr. Miguel Jaume

Dr. Albert R. Mead

Presentations of papers and subsequent discussion occupied

the afternoon of opening day. In the evening the delegates

were entertained by Dr. Jeanne S. Schwengel in the Crystal

Room of the Eldridge Hotel, the social hour followed by a

buffet supper.

Papers were presented at the morning and afternoon sessions

of the second day, and before the delegates returned to the

hotel to dress for the evening they were entertained by Dr. and

Mrs. Leonard who held open house at their home from 4 :00

until 5 :00.

The annual dinner was held in the Sunflower Room of the

Memorial Union Building, and following a repast of Kansas beef

with all the trimmings, Dr. Myra Keen presented the film of

Japanese pearl culture which had entertained west coast mala-

cologists at the earlier meeting of the A.M.U.P.

The final event was the day-long field trip to the Ottawa river,

about twenty-five miles south of Lawrence. Eleven people

made the trip, returning sunburned, happy and laden with loot,

convinced to a man that this had been the best meeting ever !

68 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (2)

These papers were presented at the nineteenth annual meeting:

Mollusean Faunal Successions in the Pleistocene of the Great

Plains

A. Byron Leonard, University of Kansas

The Economic Significance of Using Giant African Snail Meal

as a Poultry Feed

Albert R. Mead, University of Arizona

Snail Hosts of Schistosomiasis in British West Africa

Elmer G. Berry, National Institutes of Health

Some Peculiarities of the West African Terrestrial Mollusean

Fauna

Joseph C. Bequaert, Museum of Comparative Zoology

A Preliminary Beport on Mollusean Types of Frank Collins

Baker

Dorothea Franzen, Illinois Wesleyan University

Additional Introductions of Foreign Snails Into Arizona

Albert R. Mead, University of Arizona

Ten- Weeks Tour of Raroia Atoll, Tuamotu Islands and French

Oceania; A film

Joseph P. E. Morrison, United States National Museum

A Progress Report on Some Revisions for the "Treatise of

Invertebrate Paleontology"

A. Myra Keen, Stanford University

Brief Report on the Walter Webb Collection

Fritz Haas, Chicago Natural History Museum

Zoogeography, Subfamilies and Families

Joseph P. E. Morrison, United States National Museum

The Nautilus

Vol. 67 JANUARY, 1954 No. 3

REDISCOVERY OF TWO CALIFORNIAN

LAND SNAILS

By G. D. HANNA and A. G. SMITH

California Academy of Sciences

MONADENIA CIRCUMCARINATA (Steams)

Helix var. circumcarinata Stearns, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., vol.

1, 1879, p. 316, plate 8, figs. 5, 6, 7.— Nautilus, vol. 16,

1902, pp. 61-62. [Compared to ' ' Pyramidula' ' elrodi

Pilsbry.]

Arionta mormonum var. circumcarinata, Stearns, W. G. Bin-

ney, Fifth Suppl. to Terr. Moll., Vol. 5, Bull. No. 8, 1883,

Mus. Comp. Zool., Harvard Coll., pp. 158-159, pi. I, fig. K.—

Binney, Man. Am. Land Shells, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol.

28, 1885, pp. 142-143, fig. 121.

Epiphragmopliora circumcarinata (Stearns), Pilsbry, Nautilus,

vol. 14, 1900, p. 41.— Pilsbry, Nautilus, vol. 16, 1902, p. 62-

64. [Distinguished from Pyramidula elrodi.] — Stearns,

Nautilus, vol. 16, 1902, pp. 83-84. — Keep, West American

Shells, 1904, pp. 128, 304.— Keep, West Coast Shells, 1911,

p. 278, fig. 269.— Hanna & Rixford, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci.,

Ser. 4, vol. 12, 1923, p. 43.— Pilsbry, Nautilus, vol. 36, 1923,

p. 141.

Epiphragmophora (Monadenia) circumcarinata (Stearns),

Pilsbry, Nautilus, vol. 11, 1897, p. 48. "Turlock, Stanilaus

[sic] Co., Cal."

Monadenia circumcarinata (Stearns), Hanna & Smith, Nauti-

lus, vol. 46, 1933, p. 85. [Compared with M. troglodytes

H & S.]— Keep, West Coast Shells (Baily Rev.), 1935, p.

69

70 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

303, fig. 319.— Pilsbry & Cockerell, Nautilus, vol. 51, 1937,

p. 24. [Compared to Dinotropis harringtoni P & C] —

Hanna, Nautilus, vol. 52, 1939, p. 139.— Pilsbry, Land Mol.

of N.A. (North of Mex.), Monog. 3, Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadel-

phia, vol. 1, pt. 1, 1939, pp. 62-63, fig. 29. [Description,

with notes by A. G. Smith.]

Seventy-four years ago some remarkable land shells were

brought to R. E. C. Stearns and were described by him as Helix

var. circumcarinata from the prominent keel surrounding the

shell. They were furnished by A. W. Crawford, who stated that

they were found near Turlock, Stanislaus County, California,

and that they were given to him by a friend. At a later date

Stearns evidently realized that the locality was an unlikely one ;

so he made further inquiry and Crawford stated it was an error

and "near Columbia, Tuolumne County" was correct. As a

result of this discrepancy the real type locality of M. circum-

carinata may never be learned.

Many people have searched for the species without success.

Among those known to us were the famous collectors Henry

Hemphill and James H. Ferriss. The town of Turlock is located

out in the flat San Joaquin Valley, now intensely cultivated by

irrigation but originally very dry and hot in summer, with no

cover for land snails of this kind. Columbia, in Tuolumne

County, is a much more likely locality because there are abun-

dant exposures of marble in the vicinity, it is lightly forested,

and there is moisture, even in the summer time. Consequently

much fruitless search has been devoted to that area. Another

Columbia, a small hamlet in Nevada County, much farther north,

has been investigated and abandoned as unlikely territory.

Not until June 10 of this year had there turned up a single

clue to the home of this fine species. On that day Mr. Raymond

deSaussure, of San Francisco, brought to one of us (A.G.S.)

an excellent dead specimen that he had picked up on the surface

in Tuolumne County. Mr. deSaussure is a speleologist and at

the time was searching for a "lost" cave, not a land snail. He

described the spot in minute detail (there is an excellent topo-

graphic map of the area) and agreed to accompany us to it.

Opportunity came on July 11, 1953 with the result that 50 adult

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 71

specimens and many juveniles were collected during the day.

All these were in limestone crevises or talus piles and all were

dead. However, we have good reason to suspect that the species

is living there because our collecting was done at the height of

the dry season and on the very steep, hot and dry southern

exposure of the canyon of the Tuolumne River.

The exact area of our investigation is shown on the illustrated

portion of U. S. Geological Survey Topographic Map, 7.5 minute

series, Tuolumne, California, scale 1:24,000 (1949). It may be

described more explicitly as follows: Take the paved road from

Sonora to Tuolumne City, and from there continue on over an

unimproved road across the North Fork of the Tuolumne River

and across Hunter's Creek to the Buchanan Mine. From this

point proceed southwest to the end of a poor road along Paper

Cabin Ridge called "Ponderosa Way," where there is another

abandoned mine. Many steep grades will test the low gear of the

modern automobile but there are no high centers in the road.

This last mine has buildings located in a level park-like area and

the underlying rock is limestone, metamorphosed into a gray

marble. The mass is probably a southeast extension of the great

deposit in the vicinity of Sonora, as shown on the U. S. Geo-

logical Survey Sonora Folio No. 41 (1897).

From the mine it is only a short distance southeastward and

down where there are bold outcrops of marble on the steep slope

of the river canyon. We found numerous specimens in the first

outcrop that had loose rocks and then followed the deposit

eastward toward Sugar Loaf Hill as far as was practicable in

one day. Our route, which is sketched on the map, leads down

the 45-degree slope to the Tuolumne River, then up the river a

quarter of a mile or so to a rugged side canyon with a small

stream flowing down it, but dry at the end at this time of year.

Massive outcrops of marble could be seen high up on either side

of this canyon, so we proceeded up it a short distance searching

diligently in likely spots. No circumcarinata were found on the

way down to the river after the limestone gave way to schist

except for a few bleached "bones" picked up on the surface,

which had been washed down from higher up. None was found

along the river in the schist, and it was not until we reached the

marble again up the canyon just mentioned that we collected a

72

THE NAUTILUS

[Vol. 67 (3)

Fig. 1. Explanation on opposite page.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 73

couple of additional dead specimens. Time did not permit fur-

ther exploration up this canyon.

It seems clear that circumcarinata prefers a lime-bearing

habitat. Any further exploration to define the limits of its range,

in this area at least, probably should be confined to the limestone

belt just under Paper Cabin Ridge. Dropping down below this

to the bottom of the canyon of the Tuolumne, a distance of 1500

feet, and particularly the tough pull out again, is an experience

we would prefer not to repeat, especially as the result would

undoubtedly be unproductive.

The common foothill snail Helminthoglypta cypreophila

(Bland & Binney) was found associated with M. circumcarinata

in a ratio of about five to one of the latter. This species was

found in slides of schist as well as marble and several fine adult

living specimens were collected where they were in hibernation.

The only other species of land snail collected was Haplotrema

alameda Pilsbry, a few dead specimens of which were taken in

leaf mold in a slide of schist not far up from the mouth of the

side canyon explored. A search along Hunter Creek, where we

camped over night, produced only H. cypreophila. Along the

North Fork of the Tuolumne where the road crosses we found

this species also and one or two Zonitoides arboreus (Say). Leaf

mold brought back from the North Fork for later sifting was

unproductive.

Only a few of the specimens of M. circumcarinata we collected

showed the peripheral brown band and only two of the adults

retained the thin periostracum. One of the latter has the sec-

ondary lighter brown band mentioned by Pilsbry (1939, p. 62).

All surface specimens were bleached pure white. Others found

buried in the silt of crevices or well down in talus piles were in

rather bad condition; some had been dead undoubtedly for a

great many years.

Sculpture of our specimens varies a good deal in minor par-

ticulars. The number, spacing, and strength of the transverse

ribs are quite variable, as are the size, shape and density of the

Fig. 1. Part of U. S. Geol. Survey. Topographic Map, Tuolumne Quad-

rangle, Tuolumne County, California, showing points of collection of

Monodenia circumcarinata (Stearns). The center of Sec. 28 is the place

where Mr. De Saussure rediscovered the species.

74 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

underlying papillose sculpture. Many of our specimens have

well impressed sutures, with the whorls convex, as Stearns

described them and as shown in Pilsbry's paratype figure (1939,

fig. 29 ) . On several others the sutures are not impressed, giving

the whorls above the carina a spire of beehive shape ; this results

in a shell of slightly greater over-all height. Mr. deSaussure's

shell (AGS No. 9419), found at the center of Section 28 on the

map, is of this form.

Twenty specimens of our lot show the following measurements :

Average Range

Maximum diameter 27.2 mm. 25.3 to 30.5 mm.

Minimum diameter 22.3 mm. 20.7 to 24.1 mm.

Height 11.5 mm. 10.4 to 12.4 mm.

Diameter of umbilicus 4.7 mm. 4.1 to 5.6 mm.

Number of whorls 5% 5% to 6V4

Nine shells from the original lot collected by Crawford (one

figure on plate 8, fig. 5-7) are available for comparison with the

present lot, as follows :

C.A.S. No. 7607 Two adults and 1 juv. (fine specimens) ;

Hemphill Coll., from Crawford (?).

C.A.S. No. 29961 Two adults, bleached (or faded?); Rix-

ford Coll., from Crawford (?).

A.G.S. No. 2566 Two adults, one good, one bleached ; Univ.

California Coll., from Clark.

A.G.S. No. 8808 One adult and one juv., bleached; Raymond

Coll., from Herrman, an early San Francisco dealer in shells.

Some of these were certainly collected alive and the others,

though bleached, all appear not to have been long dead when

taken. All of them have fairly strong to prominent transverse

ribbing ; and all have well impressed sutures. In our lot the

transverse ribs are relatively weak — in some they are reduced

almost to coarse lines of growth. From this we assume our shells

did not come from the exact spot where the original lot was

found, which is quite likely to be a more favorable locality and

one that should produce better, if not living material, if it can

be located.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 75

Vertigo dalliana (Sterki)

Pupa dalliana Sterki, Nautilus, vol. 4, 1890, p. 19 ; p. 39, pi. 1,

fig. 2 [as Vertigo dalliana] .

Vertigo dalliana, Binney, 4th Suppl. Terr. Moll. V, Bull. Mus.

Comp. Zool., Harvard Coll., vol. 22, 1892, p. 195, text fig.—

Pilsbry, Nautilus, vol. 11, 1898, p. 119.— Pilsbry, Man.

Conch., vol. 25, 1919, pp. 137-138, pi. 11, fig. 1 [Length

corrected from 1.2 to 2.1 mm.]. — Pilsbry, Land Moll, of N.A.

north of Mex., Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Monog. No. 3,

vol. 2, pt. 2, 1948, p. 994, fig. 517-1 on p. 964.

This species was described by Sterki in 1890 from 15 specimens

sent to him by Hemphill, the locality being given as near Clear

Lake, Lake County, California. So far as we know, it was not

collected again until 1952, although it has been looked for re-

peatedly. In July 1952, while doing geological work in north-

western California, Mr. Salem Rice and one of us (G. D. H.)

happened to visit Sanger Lake. In some leaf mold that was

collected near the shore line were seven specimens of V. dalliana.

This is a long way from "near Clear Lake" but the shells have

all the necessary characters, as given by Sterki and as shown

by comparison with six specimens of the original lot in the

California Academy of Sciences collection, which Hemphill

labelled "Types."

Sanger Lake is a quite small body of water located in a glacial

cirque 1^4 miles southeast of Sanger Peak, in the SE corner of

Sec. 31, T18N, R5E, M.D.B. & M, at an elevation of 5050 feet.

This is shown on the 1922 edition of the Preston Peak Quadrangle

map, U. S. Geological Survey. The road from O'Brien, Oregon,

to the Cyclone Chrome Mine passes by the lake ; it is 6V2 miles

south of the Oregon border in Siskiyou County, California. The

lake is bordered by a fine stand of the rare Weeping Spruce

(Picea oreweriana Watson) and the equally rare Sadler Oak

(Quercus sadleriana R. Br. Campster). Willows and alders con-

tributed most of the debris forming the leaf mold in which the

shells were found. The situation was decidedly on the damp side

but was not definitely wet. With this clue as to habitat perhaps

the species can now be found closer to the original locality.

76 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

Other mollusks found with V. dalliana were Punctum, Haplo-

trema, Vespericola, Prophysaon, and Monadenia (fidelis group).

August 16, 1953

THE "TEXAS LONGHORN SHELLS" FROM THE

FLORIDA WATERS

By Elizabeth Deichmann

From Mr. J. H. Butler, Marathon, Florida, has been received

an interesting series of what by first look appeared to be gas-

tropod shells — more or less of the Planorbis-type — and com-

pletely overgrown by a porous calcareous substance which on

each side extends into a long tapering horn, at right angle to

the plane of the shell. In the smallest of the seven shells there

is furthermore a series of shorter horns, arranged as a coxcomb

along the median line of the shell. For these odd structures Mr.

Butler has coined the most appropriate name "Texas Longhorn

Shells," and he has been fortunate enough to round off the

collection with the inhabitant of one of the larger shells — a small

hermit crab with almost straight abdomen, and the right claw

modified into a flat operculum with which it can close the opening

of the shell.

The six large shells proved to be overgrown by the bryozoan

Hippoporidra edax (Busk) while the seventh, much smaller and

more delicate one, was overgrown by the closely related form

H. calcarea (Smitt). The hermit crab was found to be a rare

form, Pylopagurus ungulatus (Studer), originally described

from South African waters, and later reported by Milne Edwards

and Bouvier from West Indian waters, that is, around Florida

and Yucatan.

Both the species of bryozoans were also previously reported

from the West Indies, having been captured by Pourtales in

connection with his classical Gulfstream Explorations. Canu

and Bassler established in 1927 a genus, Hippoporidra, to take

in these closely related forms, partly recent, partly fossil, which

are supposed always to live on gastropod shells, and both species

were described in the following year, with figures, records of

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 77

their earlier distribution, and references. Whether the two

authors are correct in defining Hippoporidra as a genus which

exclusively lives on mollusk shells is debatable, for one of Smitt 's

figures, his var. calcarea, shows a colony growing "in raised

stems of pumicose consistence." His other figure of what he

considers a fragment of a Serpula tube which has been over-

grown by the bryozoans and then absorbed, is probably correctly

interpreted as identical with a fragment of a gastropod shell.

Also Verrill's note that H. edax is found on corals in Bermuda

indicates an independence of the mollusk shell as substratum.

The two authors were apparently unaware of the commensalism

which exists between the bryozoan-covered mollusk shell and the

hermit crab, which inhabits the shell and has its house enlarged

by the growing colony.

Only three cases are known of such a commensalism between

hermit crabs and bryozoans on gastropod shells; they have been

reviewed by Balss in 1924, and all were based on material from

West Africa.

In the shell overgrown by the bryozoan Conopeum commensale,

Kirkpatrick found the shell inhabited by Pagurus granulimanus

Miers, and the author was able to follow the gradual overgrowth

of a Turitella-shell until it was transformed into a bryozoan-

covered ball with the original shell absorbed and the hermit

crab occupying a tube formed by the skeleton of the bryozoans.

Kirkpatrick holds that the bryozoan never occurs except on mol-

lusk shells and that is a clear case of mutual benefit, the hermit

crab being released from the trouble of having to hunt for a

larger house and the bryozoans being dragged around to, presum-

ably, better feeding grounds.

In the two other cases the shape of the colony recalls somewhat

that of the two West Indian forms. Stechow has tentatively, in

1921, named the bryozoans, Celloma keruniformis and Keruniella

valdividae, but the names are still nomina nuda, and I would

not be surprised if they have to be withdrawn as synonyms of

Hippoporidra. How many bryozoan-covered shells were ex-

amined is not clear from Stechow 's account, and apparently

only one has been figured — by Balss in 1920. The hermit crabs

which inhabited the shells were Eupagurus pollicaris Say, alcocki

Balss and Diogenes pugilator Roux, and of both there were

78 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

several specimens available from the locality where the bryo-

zoans were taken (off Kongo Kiver, 44 meters depth). Both

species of hermit crabs are widespread species and also listed

from the western Atlantic.

The present shells covered by H. edax measure from 8.2 to 12.5

cm. from tip to tip of the horns ; thus they are much longer than

those figured by Canu and Bassler; the diameter of the disk-

shaped shell is about 2.2-2.8 cm., and the long diameter of the

oval mouth opening ranges from 0.6 to 0.9 cm. In some cases the

tips of the horns are broken and in two instances accessory

branches are present on the horns. The horns are so placed

that they evidently balance the shell; where one horn is longer

the other is somewhat stouter.

In the small calcarea shell the total distance from tip to tip

must have been about 4 cm. ; both horns are broken so the actual

length is 3.5 cm. from tip to tip ; likewise the shorter horns form-

ing the coxcomb are partly broken. Also in this case the various

projections balance the shell and interestingly enough exactly the

same arrangement of the horns is found in shells overgrown by

a calcareous hydrozoan, Janaria mirabilis Stechow, inhabited by

Eupagurus varians Benedict and known from about 10 fathoms

depth along the western coast of Mexico.

Of the three specimens of Pylopagurus ungulatus taken in the

West Indies, two came from Florida and one from off Yucatan,

the same localities from which shells covered by H. edax have

been taken; one was in a sponge incrusted shell, the two others

presumably uncovered. In the present specimen, a male, the

total length from tip of the large claw to tail end is 4.3 cm., the

carapace is 0.9 cm. long, and the lid-like right claw measures

0.9 cm. in length, just the correct length to close the opening

in one of the larger shells.

One somehow wonders how the rather small hermit crab is

able to drag that huge shell around, even if it is well balanced

and, of course, much lighter in water than in air. (Canu and

Bassler mention how the small shell covered by H. calcarea

appears to be able to float in the water.) Possibly the reason

why one so rarely finds the shell inhabited is that when a certain

size is attained the hermit crab leaves the shell — or it may be

unusually quick to get out of its house when the dredge is

hauled up.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 79

For the person -who is fortunate enough to live near the shore

in Florida and has access to a dredge, the present findings offer

an unusual opportunity to solve a number of ecological problems.

In localities where the "Texas Longhorn Shells" are not un-

common, it should be possible to find the early stages of the

shells and also, by carefully studying the broken debris in the

dredge, to ascertain whether or not the bryozoans are bound to

settle down on a gastropod shell. Also one might discover

whether other hermit crabs than Pylopagurus undulatus inhabit

the "Texas Longhorn shells."

Material examined :

Hippoporidra edax (Busk)

Four shells from off Wreck Buoy, Key West, Florida, 12-18

fathoms, from different type of bottom : sand, sticky marl, sand

and marl.

Two from off Pelasky Light, Tortugas, Florida, 13 fathoms,

sticky marl.

Two from Rebecca Shoals Light House, 16-18 fathoms — also

the hermit crab.

Hippoporida calcarea (Smitt)

One from Sombrero Light, Key Vaca, Florida, 40 fathoms.

Material previously known :

Canu and Bassler report H. edax, from Elbow reef and off

Yucatan and Florida at 2H9 fathoms depth (Pourtales' mate-

rial described by Smitt, 1873) ; they also list the Verrill record

from Bermuda. According to the two authors the bryozoan is

ovicelling in January. Of H. calcarea they report Osburn's

material (listed as edax) from Tortugas in 6-15 fathoms, and

a number of localities around Florida, 39-56 fathoms, partly

Pourtales' material, partly "Albatross" material; the species

was observed as ovicelling in March-April. Plesiotypes of both

species are in the U. S. National Museum.

References

Balss, H. 1920. Paguriden. Wissenschaftlichen Ergebnisse d.

Deutschen Tiefsee Expedition (Valdivia, 1898-1899), Vol. 20.

80 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

Pt. 2, pp. 85-124 (Reprint 1-40), pis. 7-11. Description and

figure of Eupagurus pollicaris Say, var. alcocki with its bryo-

zoan incrusted shell.

1924. Tiber Anpassungen und Symbiose der Paguriden.

Eine zusammenfassende Ubersicht. Zeitschr. Morphol. und

Okologie der Tiere, Vol. 1, pp. 752-792. On pp. 784-785

description of symbiosis with bryozoans.

Canu, F. and Bassler, R. S. 1928. Fossil and Recent Bryozoa

of the Gulf of Mexico Region. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 72,

Art. 14, pp. 1-199, pis. 1-34. Hippoporidra edax and H. cal-

carea (Family Celloporidae) are treated on pp. 138-140, pi. 22,

figs. 1-6, text fig. 30.

Kirkpatrick, R. and Metzelaar, J. 1922. On an instance of

Commensalism between a Hermit crab and a Polyzoan. Proc.

Zool. Soc. London, 1922, pp. 983-990, pis. 1-2.

Milne Edwards, A. and Bouvier, E. L. 1893. Description des

Crustaces de la famille des Paguriens. Reports on the Results

of the Dredgings — Blake, no. 33. Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., 14,

No. 3, pp. 1-172, pis. 1-12. Pylopagurus n.g., p. 74; P. un-

gulatus (Studer), p. 80, pi. 6, figs. 15-18.

Osburn, R. C. 1914. The Bryozoa of the Tortugas Island,

Florida. Carnegie Institution of Washington, D. C. Publica-

tion 182, pp. 181-222. H. calcarea listed as Lepralia edax.,

from Tortugas, 13-29 meter.

Smitt, F. A. 1873. Florida Bryozoa, collected by Count L. F.

de Pourtales, 2. Kungl. Svenska Akademiens Handl. 11, no. 4,

pp. 1-85, pis. 1-13. Lepralia edax Busk and varieties, p. 63,

pi. 11, figs. 220-225.

Stechow, E. 1921. Neue Gruppen skelettbildender Hydrozoen.

Verhandl. d. deutsche zool. Gesellschaft in Berlin, 26, pp. 29-31.

Preliminary description of the West African bryozoan genera

Celloma and Keruniella (Family Celloporidae) with their type

species, still nomina nuda.

Verrill, A. E. 1903. Zoology of the Bermudas, Vol. 1, Art. 10,

Additions to the Fauna of the Bermudas from the Yale Ex-

pedition of 1901, with notes on other species, pp. 15-62, pis.

1-9. Leprelia edax (Busk), p. 54. On underside of corals,

shallow water. It has apparently not been verified by Canu

and Bassler.

THE NAUTILUS 67(3)

PLATE 7

Figs. 1, 3. Large specimens of Texas Longhorn shells, formed by the

bryozooan Hippoporidra edax (Busk).

Fin. 2. A small Texas Longliorn shell, formed by H. calcarea (Smitt).

Fig. 4. Lateral view of hermit crab, Pylopagurus ungulatus, found in

(another) shell overgrown by H. edax. Scale in centimeters.

THE NAUTILUS 67(3)

PLATE 8

Fig. 1. Pseudosubtilina ruthae P.

Figs. 2, 3. Fiisinus (Heilprinia) dowianus Olsson, and apex enlarged.

Pig. 4. Coelostemma balesi P.

Figs. 5-7. Monad enia circwmcarinata (Stearns) x 1%.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 81

SOME CALIFORNIAN AND MEXICAN

LAND MOLLUSKS

By H. A. Pilsbry

Pseudosubulina ruthae, new species PL 8, fig. 1

California : on the beach at False Bay above high tide level in

drift which also contained Truncatella and Assiminea. Type and

paratypes 190114 ANSP.; other paratypes in Baily Collection.

Collected by Joshua L. Baily Jr. and Ruth I. Baily.

The shell is slender (the greatest diameter contained about

three and one-third times in the length), regularly tapering to

an obtuse, rounded apex. It is thin, corneous but becoming

whitish on the spire. The surface glossy, and in places showing

extremely weak folds in the direction of growth lines. These

may be distinct in some adult specimens but visible with difficulty

in others. The whorls are strongly convex. Aperture ovate.

The columella is straight above, and rather wide and heavy,

becoming narrow and concave below.

Length 5.7 mm., diameter 1.75 mm.; iy2 whorls.

The nearly smooth surface and absence of any truncation of

the columella are unusual characters for this genus. It is not

very similar to any Mexican species known to me. The speci-

mens are fresh, probably alive when collected.

Dr. Baily writes that ' ' two of my friends, Mrs. Ida Sweet and

Miss Edna Wilson, got specimens from the same locality, so that

I think there is no reasonable doubt that it belongs to our fauna.

Unfortunately the locality has been destroyed by a real estate

development. ' '

It is named for Ruth Ingersoll Baily (Mrs. Joshua L. Baily).

Trichodiscina sinaloa, new species Text fig. 2

Mexico, state of Sinaloa : Drift debris of the Rio Puerte, San

Bias. Type 166601 ANSP. collected by Pilsbry, 1935.

Fig. 2. Trichodiscina sinaloa.

82 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

The shell is discoidal with nearly flat spire, slightly and very

bluntly angular periphery and convex base. Umbilicus broadly

open, shallow, its width nearly half the diameter of the shell

and showing about 3% whorls with a deep suture. There are

3!/2 whorls joined by a deep suture, the first one and a half

smooth, the rest with retractively radial striae, fine and close

at first but rapidly becoming strong and almost lamellar, and

separated by much wider intervals. The last whorl is noticeably

flattened below the periphery, descends slowly to the aperture

and becomes shortly free from the preceding whorl. The aper-

ture is oblique, shortly oval, the peristome thin, expanded and

continuous.

Height 3 mm., diameter 6 mm.

The last whorl shows remains of several former expanded

peristomes, so that individuals which appear to be mature will

be found smaller than the unique specimen serving for type.

Coelostemma balesi, new species PL 8, fig. 4

Mexico, State of Guerrero : kilometer 175, near Chilpancingo

on the road to Acapulco. Type and paratypes 191110 ANSP.,

collected by Dr. B. R. Bales.

The shell is cylindric with shortly conic summit, rather thin,

white. The nuclear shell of about 2% whorls is slightly nipple-

like, smooth. Following six whorls of the cone have slightly

oblique thread-like striae about as wide as their intervals. On

the cylindric part of the shell the striae become much smaller,

but on the last whorl they become coarser again. The whorls

are all very weakly convex. The last whorl is short, well rounded

at base, and very shortly built forward in front. Umbilicus

closed. The thin peristome is expanded, its parietal margin

straightened. The internal axis is about two-fifths of the diam-

eter of shell. It is slightly larger where the cylindric portion

passes into the conic, and is smaller in the penult whorl. Its

surface has numerous rather weak, obliquely axial threads.

Length 17.7 mm., diameter 5.4 mm. ; 17% whorls.

This shell resembles C. adria (Bartsch), but that species is

smaller, has a much lower summit cone, the periphery of the

last whorl is obscurely angulated and the base narrowly per-

forated.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 83

THE HABITS AND OCCURRENCE OF THE NUDI-

BRANCH, ARMINA TIGRINA, IN SOUTH-

EAST UNITED STATES

By E. Tucker Abbott

Associate Curator, Division of Mollusks, United States National Museum i

Specimens of the nudibranch mollusk, Armina tigrina Rafines-

que, have appeared in collections recently sent to the U. S. Na-

tional Museum for identification. Because this genus has not

been hitherto recorded from the east coast of North America

(except for one obscure reference by K. J. Bush in Verrill 1885,

p. 586), we are giving here a brief diagnosis, the synonymy,

geographical records and habits of this relatively common species.

A. trigrina is common in the Mediterranean Sea, and our Amer-

ican specimens show no important differences in either animal or

radula characters. Although this species has not been figured

in American literature, a number of illustrations, including

several in color, have appeared in European works, as noted in

the synonymy of the species. The most readily available figure

appears in Paul Fischer's Manuel de Conchyliologie, 1887, p. 551,

fig. 289 (as Pleurophyllidia lineata Otto).

Diagnosis. — Animal about 2 inches in length and % inch in

width ; somewhat lanceolate in shape, as seen from above ; broad

in front and tapering to a point posteriorly. Notum or back

smoothish, brownish black in color with about 25 to 45 narrow,

yellowish or whitish, longitudinal stripes. The notum overhangs

the sides of the body. There is a series of 25 to 35 obliquely-

arranged lamellae attached to the underside of the margins of

the notum on each side of the animal. Anterior to these, there

is a more compact series of short, very thin, crowded gill-lamellae.

Rhinophores close together, short, cylindrical, with a laminated

surface, dark-brown in color in preserved specimens and re-

tractile. Internal buccal mass large, with strong jaws and a

relatively large radula ribbon. The latter consists of 30 to 50

transverse rows of golden-brown teeth, with a large, quadrate,

denticulate central tooth which is flanked on either side by 60 to

70 smaller, sickle-shaped laterals.

i Published by permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

84 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

Superfamily ARMINACEA

Family ARMINIDAE

Genus ARMINA Rafinesque

Armina Rafinesque 1814, Precis des Decouvert. Somiologiques ou

Zool. et Botaniques. Palermo, p. 30, no. 21 (see W. 6. Binney

and G. W. Tryon 1864, Compl. Writings of . . . Rafinesque

. . .Conch., p. 12). Type by subsequent designation: Armina

tigrina Raf. by Iredale and 0 'Donoghue 1923, p. 217.

Pleurophyllidia Stammer 1816, Dissert. Anatom.-Medica Observ.

ex Anatomia Compar. Halae, p. 30. Type by monotypy: PI.

undulata Stammer = A. tigrina Raf.

Diphyllidia A. W. Otto 1820, Nova Acta Physico-Medica, Acad.

Caesar. Leopold. -Carolin., vol. 10, pt. 1, p. 126. Type by

monotypy : D. lineata Otto = A. tigrina Raf.

Armina tigrina Rafinesque

Armina tigrina Rafinesque 1814, Precis Decouv. Somiol. Zool.

Botan. Palermo, p. 30, no. 21 (no locality stated, but probably

Sicily) .

Pleurophyllidia undulata Stammer 1816, Dissert. Anat.-Med.

Observ. ex Anatom. Comp., p. 30. (Neopolitano.)

Diphyllidia lineata A. W. Otto 1820, Nova Acta Physico-Medica,

Acad. Caesar. Leopold.-Carolin., vol. 10, pt. 1, pp. 121-126,

pi. 7, figs, la, b, c (in color). (Neapel.)

Pleurophyllidia cuvieri Meckel, K. J. Bush in A. E. Verrill 1885,

Annual Report Comm. Fish and Fisheries for 1883 (Wash.,

D. C.),p. 586.

Armina tigrina Raf., Pruvot-Fol 1937, Archives du Mus. National

d'Hist. Natur., series 6, vol. 14, pp. 57-59, pi. 1, fig. 1 (in

color).

Anatomical details of this species are found in Bergh 1866,

pp. 16-29, pi. 1, figs. 1-39 ; Vayssiere 1901, pp. 116-121, pi. 6,

figs. 16-22 ; Souleyet's Voyage de La Bonite, 1841, Atlas, pi. 24E,

figs. 1-17 ; text pp. 455-459 ; Cuenot 1915, pp. 22-29 ; and Pruvot-

Fol 1937, pp. 57-59, pi. 1, fig. 1. The latter figures and describes

the egg-case as being a five-inch-long, spirally-coiled gelatinous

string containing numerous, pale rose-coral eggs.

Habits. — Members of the genus Armina have been reported as

being sand burrowers (Kelaart 1859, p. 494; Eliot 1906, p. 679;

and Cuenot 1915, p. 25). In 1940, Miss E. B. Richardson of the

Charleston Museum in South Carolina made notes (in litt.)

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 85

which we are quoting here on the habits of this species. Numer-

ous specimens were observed on the lower reaches of the Fort

Moultrie, South Carolina, beach at low tide in December 1939.

"When we first got to the beach, the animals were just emerging.

They occurred in a stretch of from 15 to 18 feet from the low

water mark. The first sign of emergence is the rising of a small

crown of sand anywhere from ^ to % of an inch across. The

head appears first with the underside of the body uppermost.

Where the sand is comparatively hard, the two-inch-deep holes

remain, showing a diameter of *4 to % inch ; when in the wetter

part of the beach, the holes cave in and leave little sign. The

longest track we saw was about 7 feet in length. It had a

decidedly corrugated appearance, and bore a trail of slime. One

of the live animals that we brought back to the museum made

itself into a ball, and then pushed itself head first into the sand.

The body of the animal can be stretched considerably when in

motion. The mantle usually hangs over and touches the foot,

but now and then is restlessly undulated. The color of the living

animals is bright cream with gray-black lines, although in some

specimens I see an olive-green color. They are very thin, and

the orange digestive organs can be seen quite plainly."

Mr. Joel Hedgpeth who has sent us specimens from the Gulf

of Mexico reports (in litt.) that this species is common along the

Texas coast just offshore.

Records. — North Carolina: 20 miles due east of Cape Hat-

teras, 15 fathoms. Fine sand; bottom temperature 68° F. Alba-

tross station 2007. 1883. South Carolina : Fort Moultrie, Sul-

livan 's Island, Charleston Co. (E. B. Richardson, 1939^10).

Texas : off Port Arkansas, 20 fathoms (J. W. Hedgpeth, Jan. 25,

1946) ; off Port Isabel (J. W. Hedgpeth, Mar. 30, 1947) . Mexico :

off Puerto Obregon, Gulf of Campeche, 13 to 20 fathoms (Henry

Hildebrand, August 1951).

The Albatross record off Cape Hatteras was included by K. J.

Bush in a list of mollusks (see A. E. Verrill 1885, p. 586) as

Pleurophyllidia cuvieri Meckel. Bush probably was referring to

Armina cuvieri d'Orbigny 1837 which, however, appears to be

another species from western South America. I have examined

the Albatross specimen and find it is A. tigrina Raf.

86 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

Literature Cited

References appearing in the synonymies are not repeated here.

Bergh, R. 1866. Bidrag til en Monographi af Pleurophyllidi-

erne. Naturhistorisk Tidsskrift (Copenhagen), 3rd series,

vol. 4, pp. 1-80, 9 pis.

Bergh, R. 1890. Weitere Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Pleu-

rophyllidien. Verhandl. der k. k. zoologisch-botanischen Gesell-

schaft in Wien, vol. 60, pp. 3-16, 2 pis.

Cuenot, L. 1915. Pleurophyllidiens. Bull. Station Biologique

d'Arcachon (Univ. Bordeaux), vol. 16, pp. 25-36.

Iredale, T. and C. H. O'Donoghue. 1923. List of British Nudi-

branchiate Mollusca. Proc. Malacol. Soc. London, vol. 15, pts.

4-5, pp. 195-233 [217].

Kelaart, E. F. 1859. Descriptions of New and Little-known

Species of Ceylonese Nudibranchiate Mollusks. Ann. Mag.

Nat. Hist., series 3, vol. 3, pp. 291-304; 488-496 [see 494].

Ohshima, H. 1933. Young Pycnogonids found Parasitic on

Nudibranchs. Annot. Zool. Japon, vol. 14, pp. 61-66.

Vayssiere, A. 1901. Recherches Zool. et Anat. sur les Mollus-

ques Opisthobranches du Golfe de Marseille (pt. 3). Annales

Mus. d'Hist. Nat. Marseille, vol. 6, pp. 1-130, 7 pis.

Verrill, A. E. 1885. Results of Explorations of the Steamer

Albatross off the Northern Coast of U. S. in 1883. Annual

Report Commission Fish and Fisheries for 1883. Wash., D. C.

[p. 586], pp. 506-610, 44 pis.

Von Ihering, H. 1886. Zur Kenntniss der Nudibranchien der

brasilianischen Kiiste. Jahrbiicher der Deutschen Malakozool.

Gesellschaft, vol. 13, pp. 223-240, pi. 9 [PI, miUleri].

A KEY TO THE HAWAIIAN CYPRAEIDAE

By JOAN DEMOND

The Cypraeidae, particularly the beautifully colored species

of the Hawaiian Islands, are among the mollusks most attractive

to collectors. However, to my knowledge, there is no key to

these species available. Consequently, I have devised such a key

in the hope that it will aid in identification.

According to Ingram (1937), 29 species of Cypraeidae are

found in the waters of the Hawaiian Islands, five of which are

endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Twenty-eight of these species

Jan., 1954 J the nautilus 87

are included in the key. I have excluded C. ostergaardi Dall,

since its occurrence is so rare.

The key is based upon external characteristics of unweathered

adult specimens in the collection of the University of Hawaii

and specimens loaned to the University by private collectors in

Honolulu.

A. Dominant dorsal ornamentation of transverse solid color

bands, of a transverse mid-dorsal band of irregular

color markings, of transverse raised ribs, or of irregu-

lar raised nodules B

AA. Dominant dorsal ornamentation of spots or reticula-

tions, of thin longitudinal streaks, of dark splotches and

faint transverse bands, or dorsal ornamentation essen-

tially absent J

B. Dominant dorsal ornamentation of transverse solid color

bands, of a transverse mid-dorsal band of irregular color

markings, or of transverse raised ribs C

BB. Dominant dorsal ornamentation of raised nodules I

C. Transverse solid color bands or transverse raised ribs

over dorsum ; margins almost equally inflated D

CC. Transverse median band of brown irregular color mark-

ings over dorsum; right margin more produced than

left H

D. Transverse raised ribs over dorsum and base

Cypraea childreni Gray

DD. Transverse solid color bands over dorsum E

E. Margins very dark chocolate brown; teeth, base, and

extremities of same dark brown C. talpa Linnaeus

EE. Margins flesh color F

F. Teeth and interstices between teeth brilliant purple. . . .

C. carneola Linnaeus

FF. Teeth not brilliant purple G

G. Teeth deeply incised, extending over base on both sides ;

teeth ashen or whitish ; margins not arenaceously striated

C. sulcidentata Gray *

GG. Teeth not deeply incised nor extending over base ; teeth

minute, numerous, ivory white ; margins arenaceously

striated above C. arenosa Gray

* Species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

88 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

H. Transverse band extending over columellar (left) mar-

gin onto base ; extremities brilliant purple ; margins un-

spotted C. fimbriata Gmelin

HH. Transverse band not extending over margin onto base;

extremities white with brown or blackish brown spots

C. teres Gmelin

I. Extremities produced and beaked; shell grayish with

pale rust-colored nodules and ridges

C. nucleus Linnaeus

II. Extremities not produced or beaked; shell and nodules

pinkish or white C. madagascarensis Gmelin *

J. Dominant dorsal ornamentation of thin brown or black-

ish brown longitudinal streaks; extremities dark brown

or orange C. Isabella Linnaeus

JJ. Dominant dorsal ornamentation of spots, splotches, or

reticulations, or dorsal ornamentation absent K

K. Dorsal ornamentation essentially absent; margins and

extremities thickened, often somewhat irregularly tu-

bercled ; dorsum yellow-orange to greenish yellow ; shal-

low groove setting dorsum off from margins

C. moneta Linnaeus

KK. Dorsal ornamentation of spots, splotches, or reticula-

tions L

L. Dorsum white or very light brown, greatly elevated and

rounded ; length 11 to 19 mm M

LL. Not so N

M. Numerous light brown rings over dorsum; extremities

slightly produced C. annulata Gray

MM. No such rings over dorsum, but few scattered brown

spots present on dorsum ; extremities extremely produced

and beaked C. cicercula Linnaeus

N. Four large, brown, squarish blotches on dorsum, two on

either side of midline; three light brown transverse

bands over dorsum (in unworn specimens) ; margins and

extremities produced C. tessellata Swainson *

NN. Numerous spots or reticulations over dorsum 0

0. Margins pitted P

00. Margins not pitted S

P. Extremities brilliant to pale purple Q

PP. Extremities white or fleshy orange P

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 89

Q. Margins and base purplish ; numerous irregular white

spots over brownish dorsum G. poraria Linnaeus

QQ. Margins and base fleshy orange; brown and white spots

over bluish gray dorsum C. helvola Linnaeus

R. A large, squarish, purple-brown spot over the middle of

each margin ; margins produced C. erosa Linnaeus

RR. Such single marginal spots absent; margins not pro-

duced ; definitely defined white spots over chestnut brown

dorsum ; extremities and teeth fleshy orange

C. semiplota Mighels *

S. One or both margins considerably produced T

SS. Neither margin considerably produced W

T. Teeth white U

TT. Teeth brown ; large blackish brown splotch on columellar

side of base C. reticulata Martyn

U. Interstices between teeth orange; margins white with

purple dots C. cruenta Gmelin

UU. Interstices white V

V. Light spots on brownish dorsum ; deep brown or blackish

brown spots on white margins; only right margin pro-

duced C. gaskoini Reeve

W. Brownish spots on whitish dorsum, extending slightly

onto margins ; both margins produced

G. rashleighana Melvill

W. Margins angular X

WW. Margins rounded Y

X. Teeth dark reddish brown with white interstices; ex-

tremities considerably produced; length 40 to 96 mm

C. mauritiana Linnaeus

XX. Teeth white ; extremities not considerably produced ;

length 17 to 37 mm C. caputserpentis Linnaeus

Y. Teeth dark brown C. scurra Chemnitz

YY. Teeth white or whitish Z

Z. Interstices between teeth orange C. lynx Linnaeus

ZZ. Interstices between teeth white or flesh color A'

A'. White spots on brown dorsum; arenaceous striations on

margins ; average size 25 to 35 mm in length

C. vitellus Linnaeus

A'A'. Brown or brownish black spots on whitish dorsum;

arenaceous striations on margins absent or very faint;

average size 100 mm or more in length

." C. tigris Linnaeus

90 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

Literature Cited

1. Ingram, W. M., The family Cypraeiclae in the Hawaiian

Islands, Nautilus 50(3) : 77-82, 1937.

2. Ingram, W. M., Endemic Hawaiian cowries, B. P. Bishop

Mus., Occ. Papers, 14(19) : 327-333, 1939.

3. Ingram, W. M.. Hawaiian Cypraeidae, B. P. Bishop Mus., Occ.

Papers, 19(1) : 1-23, 1947.

THE SNAILS FROM TWO INDIAN SHELLMOUNDS

NEAR CLARKSVILLE, VIRGINIA

By LESLIE HUBKICHT

In the vicinity of Clarksville, Virginia, on the land now in-

undated by Buggs Island Lake, were two Indian shell mounds.

The first of these was located on the north bank of Roanoke

(Staunton) River, northwest of Clarksville. The second site was

on Occoneechi Island on the north bank of Dan River, north-

west of Clarksville. In addition to large numbers of shells

of the mussel, Elliptio complanatus (Solander), these mounds

contained numerous snail shells, some species of which are no

longer found living in this region today. The aquatic species,

as indicated by their abundance, must have been collected locally

for food. The land snails wrere probably attracted by the lime

and lived on the mounds.

The first site contained no land snails, but contained large

numbers of the following species of aquatic snails. The Pleuro-

ceridae were determined by Mr. Calvin Goodrich.

Campeloma decisum (Say). This species is not known at

present from either the Roanoke or Dan River proper. It is

found in Wimbish Lake, a slough of the Dan River, west of

Schoolfield, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia.

Lioplax subcarinata (Say). The nearest known locality for

this species is in the Tar River, south of Spring Hope, Nash Co.,

North Carolina.

Nitocris carinatus (Brug.). The majority of the specimens

found in this mound were of the multicarinate form. This

species occurs in the Roanoke River in the vicinity of Lafayette,

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 91

Montgomery Co., Virginia, and at Staunton River State Park,

Halifax Co., but is not known from between these two localities.

At both of these localities the multicarinate form predominates.

In the Dan River it is abundant at Meadows of Dan and near

Kibler, and the specimens are quite large. Below Kibler they

become very depauperate, and before the Dan crosses the North

Carolina line they disappear completely, and are not known from

below this point at the present time. Only the smooth form is

known from the Dan River. The smooth form is also known

from many tributary streams of the Dan and Roanoke Rivers.

Goniobasis virginica (Say). Only the smooth form was found

in the mounds. The nearest known locality for this species is

in the Tar River, near Spring Hope, Nash Co., North Carolina.

Goniobasis catenaria, catenaria (Say). The nearest known

locality for this species is in the Haw and Rocky Rivers, near

Pittsboro, Chatham Co., North Carolina.

Goniobasis catenaria dislocata (Ravenel) . The presence of this

subspecies associated with the typical form without intergrada-

tion suggests that it may be a distinct species. Its nearest known

locality is in the Eno River, Durham Co., North Carolina.

At the second site, the same aquatic species occurred, but they

were not common. Nitocris carinatus (Brug.) occurred only in

the smooth form. Shells of land snails were abundant. Of the

land snails found in the mound, the following species are found

living in the vicinity. Stenotrema barbatum (Clapp), Mesodon

thyroidus (SajO, ^- appressus f. sculptior (Chadwick), Triodop-

sis juxtidens (Pils.), T. fallax (Say), T. albolabris (Say),

Haplotrema concavum (Say), Mesomphix rugeli oxy coccus

(Van.), Ventridens ligerus (Say), Zonitoides arboreus (Say),

Anguispira alternata f. angulata Pils., A. fergusoni (Bland), and

Gastrocopta contracta (Say).

The following four species of land snails are no longer found

living in the vicinity of the mound.

Triodopsis vulgata Pils. Not known living east of the Blue

Ridge Mountains.

Allogona profunda (Say). The nearest known locality for

this species is in the Smith Mt. Gorge, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia.

Mesomphix capnodes (W.G.B.). This species is found living

92 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

on the bluff along the Roanoke River as far east as Hurt, Pittsyl-

vania Co., Virginia.

Anguispira knoxensis (Pils.). More than fifty specimens of

this species were collected in the mound. Its nearest known

locality is on Pine Mountain, Harlan Co., Kentucky.

NOTES ON THE GASTROPODS COLLECTED IN THE

VICINITY OF CRISFIELD, MARYLAND

By J. FRANCES ALLEN

Department of Zoology, University of Maryland

During recent ecological investigations being undertaken in

the vicinity of Crisfield, Maryland, the opportunity presented

itself for the collection of the molluscan fauna of the area. Since

little is known of the mollusks of this region, this paper is con-

cerned with the occurrence and distribution of the gastropods in

this locality.

Appreciation is expressed to Dr. J. P. E. Morrison, Associate

Curator, Division of Mollusks, United States National Museum,

for his assistance with the identification of these forms.

Crisfield is located on the eastern shore of Maryland on the

Little Annemessex River, adjacent to Tangier Sound of Chesa-

peake Bay. Much of the area is marshland which supports

typical vegetation, Spartina alterniflora, the cord grass; 8.

patens, the marsh grass; and Ioa vitrea, the marsh willow or

water bush. The shore line, exclusive of marshland, varies in

topography from beaches to banks. The beaches consist of sand

or mud, or a mixture of both, with the bottom becoming in-

creasingly muddy as one approaches the subtidal stratum. This

type of mud-sand substrate supports a considerable amount of

vegetation extending for a distance of several hundred feet from

shore. Since this is an estuarian body of water with a fluctuating

salinity, both salt and freshwater forms are common. Ruppia

maritima (Linn.), the wigeon grass, and Zannichellia palustris

(Linn.), the horned pondweed, are the two most abundant species

of submerged vegetation present. Ulva, in general, is also quite

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 93

common. S. alterniflora grows from within the level of the lowest

neap tides to a point reached by the high tide. The mud banks

support an extensive population of the ribbed mussel, Volsella

demissus (Dillwyn), which is embedded around and attached

to the roots of 8. alterniflora so that these two forms make up a

part of the bank itself. 8. patens grows higher up on the banks

and above 8. alterniflora, with Ioa vitrea forming a well-defined

boundary line between the two species. The entire shore line of

the Little Annemessex adjacent to Crisfield, including the marsh-

land beyond the high tide level, was examined as well as was the

shore line of the cove formed by Jenkin's Creek.

Eight families of gastropods including ten genera have been

found in the vicinity of Crisfield. These same areas were visited

for five consecutive years and whenever possible specimens were

collected.

The family Ellobiidae is represented by two species, Melampus

bidentatus lineatus (Say) and Phytia myosotis marylandica Pils.

The former species occurs in greatest abundance a little above the

mean high tide mark. Melampus is found on the surface of the

ground during the winter, thus differing in its habits from those

on the western shore of the Bay where it finds some protective

shelter. Phytia myosotis marylandica was collected from a boat

slip, known locally as Carson's Slip, where they were embedded

in the wooden bulwark and on an algae covered area immediately

above the high tide line. In an area bounded by Jenkin's Creek,

they were present in large numbers on the ground under wood

and debris and inside decomposed driftwood well above the nor-

mal high tide level.

Littorina irrorata (Say) of the Littorinidae is extremely abun-

dant in the entire area where it is present at the base of Spartina

alterniflora. Many of these periwinkles remain completely sub-

merged; they are, however, more numerous on the banks. This

species occurs in association with Melampus bidentatus lineatus

and inhabits the shore line in all of the areas examined. L.

irrorata also differs in its habits in this locality in that it is

present on the surface of the ground during the winter and does

not burrow in the mud as in some areas of the western shore.

Two specimens of Odostomia bisuturalis (Say) of the family

Pyramidellidae were collected from the vegetation brought in

94 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

with a haul seine from approximately 150 feet offshore from the

McCready Memorial Hospital which is located at the junction of

the Little Annemessex River and the Annemessex Canal. This

is the only area examined in which this species was found to

occur. Since in the same collection, over 1200 specimens of

Bittium varium Pfr. were taken, this is a good indication that

0. bisuturalis is not common in this particular region.

Only a single species, the slipper limpet, Crepidula convexa

Say, representing the Calyptraeidae was collected. It was found

abundantly and distributed indiscriminately on all species of sub-

merged vegetation.

Syncera modesta (H. C. Lea) was the only member of the

Synceratidae observed. It was found in small numbers with

Phytia myosotis marylandica on the sea wall at Carson's Slip and

in considerable number with the same species on and in wTood

above the high tide line. S. modesta is also found on the sub-

merged vegetation, apparently surviving satisfactorily in both

types of habitats.

It appears that the most abundant of the snails occurring on

submerged vegetation is Bittium varium, Pfr. of the Cerithiidae.

This species was found in all the areas investigated, on all sub-

merged vegetation including Viva.

The family Nassidae is represented by two species llyanassa

obsoleta (Say) and Nassarius trivittatus (Say). The former is

extremely abundant on mud flats and can readily be observed

at low tide. Nassarius trivittatus was collected on a sandy beach

at one locality and a number of empty shells were collected along

the shore of the cove of Jenkin's Creek.

Specimens of the genus Littoridinops of the family Hydro-

biidae were retained by Dr. Morrison for future identification

to species.

NON-MARINE MOLLUSKS FROM THE PACIFIC

SLOPE OF NORTH AMERICA

By F. HAAS

During the Zoological Field Trip to the Northwest in 1953

for Chicago Natural History Museum, I had opportunities to

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 95

collect land and freshwater mollusks at various localities, none

of which seems to have been well covered by previous collectors.

Nanaimo and vicinity, Vancouver Id., B. C, Canada

Monadenia fidelis fidelis Gray. The typical form, from Dodds

Narrows, August 22, 1953.

Haplotrema (Proselenites) vancouverense Lea. Dodds Nar-

rows, August 22, 1953.

Hippeutis (Menetus) opercularis planulatus Cooper. In a little

creek emptying into Lake Hoggan, Gabriola Id. near Nanaimo,

August 16, 1953.

Physa (Physa) gyrina hildrethiana Lea. Same locality and

date.

Pisidmm occidentale Newcomb. Same locality and date. My

specimens seem to correspond well with Newcomb 's descrip-

tion of this never figured species, which seems to be closely

related to Pisidium abditum Haldeman.

Rogue River at Grants Pass, Josephine Co., Oregon

Lanx (Lanx) subrotundatus Baird. Very plentiful. September

8, 1953.

Goniobasis draytonii Lea. Very plentiful. Same date.

Margaritifera (Margaritifera) margaritifera Linnaeus. Rather

scarce. Same date.

Gonidea angulata Lea. One single specimen. First report in

the Rogue River. Same date. Jedediah Smith State Park,

and vicinity, Del Norte Co., California.

Monadenia fidelis fidelis Gray. Jedediah Smith State Park,

Sept. 4, 1953. Evergreen Glade Courts in Hiouchi Flats,

September 2, 1953. Redwoods west of Hiouchi Bridge, Sep-

tember 5, 1953.

Trilobopsis loricata nortensis Berry. Redwoods west of Hi-

ouchi Bridge, September 5, 1953 ; two specimens. Apparently

the first record since the original description in 1933.

Vespericola megasoma Dall. Evergreen Glade Courts in Hi-

ouchi Flats, September 2, 1953. Hill north of Hiouchi Flats,

September 7, 1953.

Haplotrema (Proselenites) vancouverense Lea. Redwoods

west of Hiouchi Bridge, September 5, 1953. Evergreen Glade

Courts in Hiouchi Flats, September 2, 1953.

96 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

Lanx (Lanx) subrotundatus Baird. Smith River in Jedediah

Smith State Park, September 2, 1953. Mill Creek in Jedediah

Smith State Park, September 3, 1953.

Goniobasis draytonii Lea. Smith River in Jedediah Smith

State Park, September 2, 1953. Mill Creek in Jedediah Smith

State Park, September 3, 1953.

Margaritifera (Margaritifera) margaritifera Linnaeus. Mill

Creek in Jedediah Smith State Park, September 3, 1953. Not

found in Smith River except immediately below the mouth

of Mill Creek and only in the water of the latter, before its

mixing with that of Smith River.

Pisidium variabile Prime. Creek in the Redwoods west of

Hiouchi Bridge, close to its mouth into Smith River; Septem-

ber 5, 1953.

Korbel, Humboldt Co., California

Monadenia fidelis pronotis Berry. One young specimen from

the valley behind the schoolhouse, September 15, 1953 ; I

cannot be entirely sure of this identification.

Helminthoglypta (Helminthoglypta) arrosa marinensis Pilsbry.

One specimen from a clearing, about one mile north of Korbel,

September 15, 1953 ; apparently the northernmost record of

this subspecies.

Vespericola megasoma Dall. From various localities around

Korbel, September 10-15, 1953. The parietal tooth of the

shell is well represented in the majority, entirely absent only

in a few of the specimens.

Haplotrema (Proselenites) vancouverense Lea. From various

localities around Korbel, September 10-15, 1953.

Haplotrema (Ancotrema) sportella Gould. From four locali-

ties around Korbel, September 10-15, 1953. All specimens

heavily granularly striate.

Gyraulus (Gyraulus) hirsutus Gould. Two specimens from

a creek in the woods, September 11, 1953 ; both of them quite

typical.

Goniobasis draytonii Lea. Could not be found in the Mad

River, but discovered in one of the headwater creeks of the

North Fork of the Mad River.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 97

PISIDIUM SPECIES AND SYNONYMS, NORTH

AMERICA, NORTH OF MEXICO

By H. B. HERKINGTON

The purpose of this paper is to present a revised list of the

species of Pisidium of the family Sphaeriidae (finger nail clams) .

The writer also gives some reasons for revising the taxonomy of

the Sphaeriidae, and makes some comments.

The genus Pisidium is distinguished from other members of

this family by the beaks being subcentral to far back, and being

on the posterior side of center. (In Sphaerium they are on

the anterior side of center.)

Pisidium is found over a large part of the world. The writer

has specimens of Pisidium conventus Clessin and P. idahoense

Roper from Great Bear Lake, North West Territories, Canada,

and Odhner (1921: 3) reports conventus from about 73° 15' N.

Lat. in Novaya Zemblya. Several species of Pisidium are eir-

cumpolar, and P. casertanum (Poli) is also found in Africa,

New Zealand and Australia.

On this continent the process of setting up new species by

conchologists went on for more than a century. In some cases

duplicate names arose because the author did not have access to

the descriptions made by other conchologists. In other cases

species were named on too little degree of variation. And this

went on and on until my index shows over one hundred described

species for North America, besides MS. and label names.

Mr. B. B. Woodward (1913) made a revision of the British

Pisidium and gave a new impetus to the study of these little

clams in the Old Land. Very little revision has been undertaken

on this continent since the days of Temple Prime (1865) ; Dr.

Victor Sterki was more interested in adding new descriptions.

In approaching the study of Pisidium, with a view of revising

the names, the student must face the question, Are we dealing

with groups of species, or with species that have a considerable

degree of variation? If we proceed on the second assumption

we will come out pretty much as I have set down below. If

we accept the first I see no end to the number of species. Dr.

V. Sterki having accepted the first, what else could he do but

go on multiplying descriptions ? What else could anyone do ?

98 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (3)

The unsoundness of Sterki's method of using variation in out-

line of shell as the chief character in constituting species, is to

be seen in the names he gave to some of his 'species.' Having

concluded that these were but groups of species and that species

have to do with but degrees of difference he proceeded to set

up his 'species.' But, now and again, he received specimens that

intergraded a bit with more than one of his 'species,' but were

exactly like none he had already named. These 'gave him a

headache.' They vexed his soul, as is indicated by some of the

names he gave to these intermediates — vexum, fraudulentum,

probum, paradoxum, proximum, and depressum (a label name).

It seems to this author that to be a valid species the specimens

must be sufficiently different from all other species to permit the

distinguishing characters to be written down in such a way

that other students in this field can recognize the species. The

distinguishing characters must not be simply more or less, but

the specimens must have some character, or characters, that do

not intergrade with any marginal form of some other species.

That is to say the difference we require, before we acknowledge

that such and such specimens constitute a species, must not

be so slight that other specimens are left, suspended 'in the air'

as it were, with such statements on the labels as 'near,' 'some-

what like,' or 'perhaps' and so not definitely belonging to any

species.

The list of species and synonyms below is based on the

morphology of the shell. The writer has endeavored to make

use of all the distinguishing characters he could find. A study

of the soft parts of the animal is only beginning on this con-

tinent. Dr. Nils Hj. Odhner, Stockholm, Sweden, has made

such a study of some of the Eurasian species, some of which

are common to both hemispheres. It is possible that an exami-

nation of the soft parts of the North American Pisidia may

lead to some modification of the conclusions here set down.

This paper is based on the study of a great many specimens.

The writer has had almost the entire collection of Sphaeriidae

of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology and Palaeontology,

Toronto, for more than twelve years; samples of Sterki's col-

lection from Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa., on a long term

loan; and loans from the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cam-

bridge, Mass., from the Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadel-

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 99

phia, Pa., and from the Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Besides this he has around 4,000 lots, of his own collecting or

samples taken from specimens sent in for determination from

various parts of Canada and the United States. A number of

lots of my own collecting have from 1,000 to 5,000 or more speci-

mens. In all I have some 75,000 to 100,000 specimens in my own

collection. I also have hundreds of lots of Eurasian specimens

obtained by exchange, together with the handsome gift from

Mr. A. W. Stelfox, Dublin, Eire, of his whole collection— 2,375

lots. Then I was privileged to spend a week studying Sterki's

collection at Carnegie Museum, ten days with Prime's collection

at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and a month at the

British Museum (Natural History) London. Most of my North

American specimens I have worked over several times.

As a help in arriving at what should be regarded as belonging

to a species, I would study the specimens of a species common to

North America and Eurasia, and then send large samples to one

or more of the following for their judgment : Mr. A. W. Stelfox,

Dublin, Mr. J. G. J. Kuiper, The Hague, Netherlands, Dr. Jules

Favre, Geneva, Switzerland, and Dr. Nils Hj. Odhner, Stock-

holm, Sweden. Of course I take full responsibility for the list

of species as here set down.

Seemingly a consideration of interbreeding as a factor in

determining whether specimens belong to the same species is

excluded in the study of Pisidium. Dr. Odhner points out

(1951: 27-28) that Pisidium convent us Clessin is 'autogamic.'

He received some live specimens of conventus from Mr. A. W.

Stelfox, Dublin, put isolated specimens in aquaria and kept

watch over them. When a young was expelled from the parent

he put it in an aquarium by itself. He continued to do this

until the third generation, at least, and the isolated specimens

went on producing young. It may be that all Pisidium, or even

all Sphaeriidae, are autogamic. If this proves to be the case the

explanation of their spread is simplified a bit — two specimens of

the same species are not required to be left in a suitable habitat

to start a colony ; a single specimen is all that is needed.

It must be borne in mind that there is considerable variation

among the specimens of a large collection from any station.

Fine details of description, such as that made by B. B. Wood-

ward in his Catalogue (1913), are of little use in actual practice.

100 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

There is variation in shell outline, in degree of inflation, and in

shape of every hinge character. But there are certain general

characters, taken in the large, that separate one species from

another. I would suggest to the learner that he secure specimens

representative of the usual run of each species — not necessarily

like the type, for the type may have been an unusual form —

and familiarize himself with these. Then he can work out toward

the unusual forms. One can readily learn to distinguish the

usual run of each species, but to determine some of the forms

requires long familiarity with Pisidium through handling thou-

sands of specimens.

In Pisidium the beaks vary from broad to narrow and from

low to high ; however, they are mostly neatly rounded. But in

most species there is some departure from this and in others a

great deal of departure. For instance some specimens are more

or less flattened on top, and in other species this departure from

the usual even develops into ridges. But in most, if not all, of

these species that have ridges on the beaks there are some speci-

mens that have the ridges but little developed or entirely absent.

Habitat seems to have something to do with this. In the case

of ferrugineum Prime the explanation of the tubercular beaks,

in their varying degree of development, seems to be that it is

related to the same growth process that produces the ridges on

the beaks of the other species of this genus. I have specimens of

this species (P-1001. Birdsall beach, Rice Lake, Peterborough

County, Ontario) that have the beaks in varying stages of

development. Some specimens have beaks high and rounded on

top, some with beaks high and flattened on top ; this flattening

carrying the beaks straight up produces the usual tubercular

beaks; and others are high and flattened and the top, near the

outer edge, is depressed, forming a wrinkle — the beginning of

a ridge. Sterki rightly pointed out (1916: 450) that the ridge

is not a growth — an appendicule — but a wrinkle which may be

seen on the inside of the shell in young specimens. This wrinkle

is conspicuous on the inside of these ferrugineum.

It should also be born in mind that the kind of habitat affects

the degree of gloss or dullness of a specimen. There is the border

of toleration, on each side, which a species can endure. Beyond

that border you do not find it. Specimens coming from these

two extreme borders will have some difference in appearance.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 101

For example. I have collected P. adamsi Prime, form affine

Sterki, in rotting wood and vegetable matter at the mouth of

a swamp creek. I have collected it also among live vegetation

where fine sand is beginning to pass over into coarse. Specimens

from the rotting vegetation are very dull and bleached. From

the other station they are approaching a gloss and are dark with

a bluish cast. Habitat also affects shape, heft of shell, degree of

striation, etc.

Great difficulty was experienced by the author in trying to

determine what Sterki had in mind when he described some of

his small species. His descriptions are not always too clear.

Besides, I frequently found the samples of his small species in

the museums mixed with infants of other species. Take the

case of P. abyssorum (Stimpson) Sterki as an example. In the

original loan to me from Carnegie Museum ( Sterki 's collection)

one lot contained five different species. On March 12, 1952,

I wrote to Carnegie Museum for samples of 63 species about

which I still had some doubt. On March 20 they sent me 46

species stating that this was all they could find in Sterki 's col-

lection. P. abyssorum was not among them. Then I wrote to

the Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor, for such species as I still

needed. They also did their best (I still am unable to find speci-

mens to match some of Sterki 's names). Among their shipment

were eight lots marked abyssorum. These also were badly mixed.

But as most of the lots came from Lake Michigan — the type local-

ity— and most contained P. conventus Clessin, and as there were

no other specimens that did not belong to one of the recognized

species, and as conventus best fits Sterki 's description of abys-

sorum I have listed it as a synonym of conventus Clessin. Evi-

dently Sterki never saw named specimens of conventus. (It

is only found in water that does not get warm.) Sterki found

some without knowing what he had. Some specimens he called

'levissimum (?),' and some (9778) he named hendersoni. The

difficulty I had with abyssorum I also had with ohioense and, in

a lesser degree, with some others.

The only lot marked P. paradoxum Sterki I have seen contains

but 3 casertanum (Poli )and 5 lilljeborgi Clessin. So I do not

know where to place paradoxum Sterki.

The one lot of P. angelicum Rowell (3840) from Sterki 's col-

lection was marked genuine specimens from type locality. It

102 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

was also marked not Pisidium but crustaceans. I agree that they

are not Pisidium.

It is interesting to find that of our twenty-five North American

species twelve of them — punctatum, lilljeborgi, obtusale, supinum,

subtruncatum , ferrugineum, milium, henslowanum, conventus,

nitidum, casertanum, and amnicum — are circumpolar; eight —

insigne, adamsi, aequilaterale, fallax, compressum, mainense,

walJceri, variabile, and idahoense — are common to Canada and

U. S. A., but are not found in Eurasia; and three — cruciatum,

singleyi, and ultramontanum — are secured in U. S. A. but not in

Canada or Eurasia. Only amnicum (Miiller) is looked upon as a

recent introduction into North America. The writer knows of

only five species in Eurasia, north of the Himalaya Mts., not

found in North America, and one of these — astartoides Sand-

berger — is fossil.

When we take up the matter of the degree of similarity of

specimens of a species, on the two sides of the Atlantic, one finds

that in some sets from one side of the ocean the specimens are so

like specimens from the other side that if the two lots were mixed

it would be difficult, if not impossible, to separate them. But

there are also differences that are of the nature of forms or

varieties. Then, too, there are certain general differencs. Thus,

on the whole, specimens of the same species are more inflated and

less heavily striated in North America than in Eurasia — but

individual lots are found that are much the same in degree of

inflation and striation.

When we keep in mind that Sterki, on the basis of a small

degree of variation, divided some species up into several 'species'

it can easily be seen that most of his subspecies, varieties and

forms are based on distinctions so finely drawn as to be of little

practical value ; hence I usually ignore them. A study should

be made of the 'species' I have listed below as synonyms to

determine which would be of value if retained as forms. The

forms I usually make use of I am listing with the species.

These little clams have an important economic value as food

for waterfowl, for small bottom feeding fish — which, in turn,

become food for larger fish — and as food for large bottom feeding

fish like sturgeon and whitefish (Herrington 1950:28-29). But

they also sometimes act as host for injurious parasites.

Mr. B. Prashad points out (1925:407) that both Dr. Nils Hj.

Jan., 1954] the nautilus 103

Odhner and Mr. A. W. Stelfox independently discovered that

the shell of Pisidium is porous, not hairy, and that the so-called

hairs are but prolongations from the epithelium which penetrate

the calcareous part of the shell but not the periostracum.

We know that some species can survive for a long time without

water. I have found live specimens of casertanum (Poli) several

months after the swamps and swamp creeks in which they lived

had dried up. When the wet season returns they open their

valves and begin their normal activities.

I have been unable to detect any geographical subspecies, with

the possible exception of P. obtusale C. Pfeiffer v. lapponicum

Clessin (5 lots with a total of 8 4/2 specimens), which, in North

America, I have found only in association with the cold climate

of the far north.

I owe thanks to the following:

To Dr. John Oughton, without whom this study would not have

been undertaken. He has patiently coached me all along in my

studies and publication of papers.

To Mr. J. R. Dymond for the loan of Sphaeriidae, microscopic

equipment, for vials, etc., from the Royal Ontario Museum of

Zoology (and now Palaeontology). And for a grant from the

Museum enabling me to visit the Museum of Comparative Zool-

ogy, Cambridge, Mass.

To the National Research Council of Canada for a grant

enabling me to visit Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa.

To Mr. A. W. Stelfox, Dublin, Eire, for loans, and then for

giving me his whole collection.

To Dr. Henry van der Schalie and the Museum of Zoology,

Ann Arbor, Mich., for a grant making possible a visit to Mr.

Stelfox to pick up this collection and to spend a month studying

the Sphaeriidae in the British Museum (Natural History).

And for loans of specimens.

To the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., the

Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa., and to Carnegie

Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa., for loans of specimens.

To the British Museum (Natural History) for courtesies dur-

ing my visit.

To Dr. Stanley Truman Brooks, Dr. Jules Favre, Geneva,

Switzerland, Mr. J. G. J. Kuiper, The Hague, Netherlands, and

104 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (3)

Dr. Nils Hj. Odhner, Stockholm, Sweden, for examining speci-

mens and other courtesies.

(To he continued)

NOTES AND NEWS

The 1954 annual meeting of the American Malacological Union

will take place August 16-19 at the University of New Hamp-

shire, Durham, N. H. Detailed information will be sent to

members.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

The Vebonicellidae op Africa. By Lothar Forcart. Ann.

Mus. Roy. Belg., Sci. Zool., vol. 23, 110 pp., 5 pis., 1953.—

Hoffmannia, Congoveronicella (both new) and Vaginina are

included as subgenera in Pseudoveronicella, in which 7 species

(also 1 in Laevicatdis) and 1 subspecies are described as new.

The treatment of the penial apparatus is excellent. But un-

fortunately the spermatheca is neglected ; from earlier accounts

of this, Elentherocaidis (iiLaevicaulis,,)'L seems a subgenus of

Filicaulis, while Flagellicaidis (included in Filicaidis) appar-

ently belongs to Imerinia. Discussions of distribution, with 13

maps of the African mainland, add to the interest. Since printed

in English, the errors in spelling are really surprisingly few, but

"sheat, " consistently used for sheath, should be mentioned.

"Vaginula'1'' for Vanigula (p. 98) shows the danger of names too

similar; a typesetter once changed all my Vaginidus-Wke usages

in the same way. — H. B. B.

A HISTORICAL REVIEW OP THE MOLLUSKS OP LINNAEUS. Part 2.

The class Cephalopoda and the genera Conus and Cypraea in the

class Gastropoda. By Henry Dodge. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat.

Hist., vol. 103, art. 1, 134 pp., 1953. — This continuation discusses

92 species in four Linnean genera : Argonauta and Nautilus in

addition to the two mentioned in the title. The studies are made

with great care, although perhaps, in Cypraea, the Schilders seem

somewhat overweighted. — H. B. B.

'i-*

i Because, as shown on p. 12, Simroth himself (1913) made Laevicaulis

a subgenus (i.e., a subjective synonym) of his genus Eleutherocaulis, must

not the latter have precedence? The same holds for Desmocaulis vs.

Curticaulis.

The Nautilus

Vol. 67 APRIL, 1954 No. 4

A NEW HEILPRINIA FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO

By A. A. OLSSON

Heilprinia was proposed by Grabau in 1904 as a full genus

to include a number of Recent and late Tertiary fusoid shells

from the Atlantic coastal states and the Antillean region, which

differ from Fusinus (Fusus) in having the nuclear whorls sculp-

tured with strong axial riblets over their entire surface, whereas

in true Fusinus the whorls of the protoconch are largely smooth

except on the final half turn, which is sculptured with riblets

and sometimes spiral threads. Fusus caloosaensis Heilprin, a

Pliocene species from Florida, Grabau selected as the genotype.

Most species of Heilprinia are stout, closely coiled, with a rela-

tively short spire and well-rounded, convex whorls. The an-

terior canal is long, straight or moderately twisted. Axial ribs

are present on the earlier whorls, usually fading out on the

penultimate and final turns. At maturity the parietal callus

generally thickens to form a high, free-edged, laminar blade.

Several fossil species and subspecies have been named from the

Miocene and Pliocene formations of the Atlantic states, and

occur as far north as Maryland and Virginia. Fusinus oarba-

rensis (Trask), from the Pliocene of California, was at first con-

sidered to be a Heilprinia by Grabau, but later transferred to

another group named Barbarofusus by Grabau and Shimer,

1909.

The shell herein described under the name Fusinus {Heil-

prinia) dowianus, new species is the second Recent species of the

subgenus. It differs strikingly from Fusinus (Heilprinia)

timessus (Dall) by its longer, more slender form and higher

spire. In these respects, F. dowianus is more similar to F.

105

106 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

caloosaensis of the Caloosahatchee Pliocene of southern Florida.

Five specimens were collected by Mr. Thomas Dow of which

three have been examined in the course of this study.

Fusinus (Heilprinia) dowianus, new species Plate 8, figs. 2, 3

The shell is moderately large, fusiform, the spire a little

shorter than the length of the aperture and anterior canal. Spire

is relatively slender, composed of about twelve whorls including

the nucleus. General ground color of the shell is white except

for a portion of the spire which has a pink or amber color which

is deepest between the ribs and around the suture. The nucleus

is that typical of the subgenus and composed of one and a half

whorls finely sculptured over the entire surface by strong, axial

riblets (about sixteen to the turn) ; the color of the protoconch

is a deep amber brown. The change from the nuclear stage to

the nepionic is sharp and abrupt, indicated by the assumption

of spiral sculpture. Whorls are well-rounded, their convexity

being accentuated by the coarse ribs which persist through over

the penultimate whorl, fading out only on the back of the body-

whorl in a fully adult specimen. The ribs and their interspaces

are crossed by strong, ridge-like spiral threads, rather well

spaced, the concave intervals between them marked by still

smaller secondary and tertiary spirals, the whole crossed by

longitudinals imparting a coarse, cross-etched effect which shows

best on the whorls of the spire. The anterior canal is fairly

long and slender, about one-third the total length, thick and

straight in the upper section, more slender and slightly twisted

in the lower, the canal itself narrow and open along its whole

length. The aperture is semilunate, the outer lip strongly and

deeply lirate within. Inner lip has a callous spread over the

parietal wall which in the adult shell becomes free in its lower

part to form a high, wide, wing-like blade. Operculum corneous,

thick, of the usual Fusinus type.

Length 137 mm., aperture and canal 83 mm., greater di-

ameter 39.3 mm.

Of this splendid species, three specimens have been seen. The

largest shell selected as the type has a length of 137 mm. and,

except for a slightly weathered protoconch, is well-preserved in

other respects. Fusinus timessus, the only other known Recent

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 107

species of Heilprinia, is generally a smaller and stouter shell,

with a wider, more inflated or rounded body-whorl.

This shell, one of the finest species of the subgenus, is named

for Mr. Tom Dow of South Miami, who collected all the known

specimens.

Locality : Northwest of Caxones Island, off the northeast coast

of Honduras, in 30 fathoms.

A NEW SPECIES OF HUMBOLDTIANA FROM TEXAS

By JUAN JOSE PARODIZ

Carnegie Museum

Humboldtiana EDiTHAE, n. sp. Plate 9, 3 left figures

Shell subglobose-depressed, deeply umbilicate but with the

perforation narrowed by the expansion of the columellar margin

of the peristome; rather thin and translucent. Color white,

with only two brown bands almost equal in size (4.5 mm. wide

at the ends), on the upper and lower part of the last whorl; the

separation between the bands is 8.5 mm. on its wider part near

the lip ; the lower band is not visible from an apical view ; each

band ends 2.5 mm. from the peristomatic edge, and are perfectly

visible inside the aperture. Suture without colored border. 4

whorls — 150°, very convex; * the first 1^2 whorls smooth and

the following with minute sculpture of pits and radial wrinkles

of growth very irregular ; the minute granulation continues over

the wrinkles. Large aperture, 74.9% of the height of the shell

and very oblique, forming an angle of 32° with the columellar

axis.

Type : Carnegie Museum no. 42,895, from Mt. Emory at Chisos

Mountains (elevation 7000 feet), on granite outcrop, Big Bend

National Park, Brewester County, Texas. Coll. Miss Edith H.

Long, 1949.

Measurements (in mm.) :

Diameter (major) 38.1

Diameter (minor) 31.5

Height 32.7

* For the number of whorls and measure of the angles, Diver's and other

methods have been used, as explained by the author in ' ' Physis, ' ' XX,

58: 241, Buenos Aires, 1951.

108

Humboldtiana edithae is a larger and more depressed form

than any other species of the genus known from Texas. H.

cheatumi Pilsbry, nearest in size, is only 29 mm. high and 33.5

wide, with higher spire and smaller aperture, and the wrinkles

of growth stronger.

It differs also from other Texan species by having only two

wide brown bands. The only species of Humboldtiana occa-

sionally with two bands is H. fortis Pilsbry from Nuevo Leon,

Mexico. H. montezuma from the same region is a larger, very

globose species, without bands, except in the subspecies inferior

which is three-banded. All these Mexican species are very dif-

ferent from the Texan forms, and especially H. edithae, and

their localities are 400 miles southeast.

The surface of the new species is of an intermediate type be-

tween H. palmeri and H. chisoensis Pilsbry ; from the last form,

which inhabits a nearby locality in the Big Bend Nat. Park, it

differs by its very large size, larger aperture, more depressed

spire, and has not the intermediate peripheral band which makes

the suture margined with brown.

It is a pleasure for the author to name this species for Miss

Edith H. Long, of Del Rio, Texas, collector of the specimen in

1949.

NOTES ON THE MOLLUSCAN FAUNA OF

GALESVILLE, MARYLAND

By J. FRANCES ALLEN

Department of Zoology, University of Maryland

During the past six years, collections of the molluscan fauna

have been made at Galesville, Maryland, and observations on the

environmental changes and relative differences in the distribu-

tion of these forms were recognized.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 109

Galesville, on the western shore, is located on the West River

adjacent to Chesapeake Bay. The immediate area under con-

sideration is a part of the shore bordering on Tent House Creek,

a short westerly indentation of the West River.

Beginning at the upper extremity of Tent House Creek, the

shore line is rather irregular, some of it being flat, some of it

sloping gently toward the water, and the other part being a

steep bank which is subject to continual wave action. The

upper region is densely populated with Spartina alterniflora,

the cord grass. It is rather marshy and there are several in-

dentations where land drainage flows into the water. Next to

this is the sloping beach which extends outward to form a mud

flat which is partially exposed at low tide. S. alterniflora oc-

curs here only sporadically. The beach is interrupted by a steep

bank where there is continual eroding away of the land. Be-

yond, the bank is again a level area which also supports Spartina

alterniflora. Scirpus americanus, the three square bullrush,

also occurs here. Above the high tide line the marsh willow,

Ioa vitrea, forms a boundary line, and then 8. patens extends

over the drier part of the area.

The bottom composition of the mud flat consists mainly of a

mud-sand mixture, although in some spots it is noticeably more

sandy than muddy. According to 0 'Rourk (1948), the sediment

has the following composition: 93% sand, 7% total colloids,

6.3% conventional clay, 0.7% conventional silt, and 6.1% finer

clay. There was an unusually large amount of glauconite in

the soil. These determinations were made by the Department

of Agronomy of the University of Maryland. From personal

observations, the area up the shore appeared to be more sandy.

The ribbed mussel, Volsella demissus (Dillwyn), during the

early period of observations, grew abundantly attached to and

around the roots of 8. alterniflora (Allen, 1952). These forms,

in the majority of cases, were located in groups around the

Spartina. However, their location could be determined by the

slit in the mud due to valve action, showing their presence when

the animals themselves were embedded too deeply to be seen.

This locality has been subject to continuous silting and erosion

so that at the present time, the mussel population has almost

entirely disappeared. There are very few young mussels; the

110 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

majority are large. Measurements show that they range as high

as 99 mm. in length with the greatest proportion being between

70 and 80 mm. in length.

Associated with Spartina alterniflora is the common peri-

winkle, Littorina irrorata (Say), which is widely distributed

along the shores of Chesapeake Bay (Allen, 1952). During the

winter, these gastropods burrow in the mud at the roots of the

cord grass and remain there until spring. They differ in this

habit from the same species on the Eastern Shore, especially

along the Little Annemessex River (Allen, 1954) and Pocomoke

Sound of Chesapeake Bay. There they remain on the surface

or are submerged under six or more inches of water. Large

numbers will crawl on 8. alterniflora which may be a source of

food.

Living in association with Littorina irrorata is the marsh

snail, Melampus bidentatus lineatus Say. This species dwells

on the shore where it is sometimes flooded at high tide, but it is

more abundant slightly farther from the water. Eighteen inch

quadrat samples show that L. irrorata and M. b. lineatus occur

in a ratio of 25 to 21.

Associated with Melampus bidentatus lineatus and also living

at a still greater distance from the water or from the normal

high tide line is Detracia floridana Shuttleworth of the family

Ellobiidae, reported for Chesapeake Bay by Morrison (1950).

The hibernating tendency of M. b. lineatus to cluster together

in winter and find shelter under stalks of cord grass, debris, and

boards (Hausman, 1932 and 1948) was observed to occur. But

within the Melampus groups, Detracia floridana was present in

abundance. During the collections of November, 1953, Detracia

floridana outnumbered M. b. lineatus approximately three to

one. Morrison (1951) has said that under estuarine conditions,

the former is universally abundant and that it tolerates salinities

somewhat lower than M. b. lineatus.

The composition of the bottom sediments has been described.

The submerged vegetation here includes : Zannichellia palustris

(Linn.), the horned pondweed, which is greatest in abundance;

Potomageton bupleuroides (Fernald) which is second in abun-

dance ; and Buppia maritima (Linn.) , the least abundant. These

plants have been carefully examined and the snail fauna ad-

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 111

hering to them has always been poor. A few specimens of small

forms, believed to be hydrobiids, were collected and they have

been given to Dr. J. P. E. Morrison, United States National

Museum, for future identification. Also attached to the sub-

merged vegetation were a few bivalves, Congeria leucophaeta

Conrad. This latter form was found in considerable numbers

attached to submerged concrete blocks around the point, adjacent

to the steep bank previously mentioned. Young representatives

of Volsella demissus were attached with them as well.

Samples from the bottom, some of which were sieved, produced

two bivalves, both of which occur abundantly both intertidally

and subtidally. Mya arenaria (Linn.), the soft clam, lives at

a depth of from eight to ten inches. The mortality of the young

is apparently great for at times, especially following rough

weather, the bottom is virtually covered in some places with

small dead Mya. Specimens up to 64.5 mm. in length have been

dug here.

Macoma balthica (Linn.) is more numerous than Mya arenaria

and it grows to a size of more than two inches in length. There

is a noticeable difference in the coloration of the inside of the

valves, some being a definite bright pink, and others being white.

Examination of the media from which they were dug showed

that the pink ones are confined to areas whose composition is

sandy, while the white ones come from those places which are

almost exclusively mud. Pratt (1935) says that in muddy

bottoms the shells are thick and covered with a dark or rusty

colored periostracum, and that in sandy localities, pure white or

pinkish or yellowish periostraca and thin shells are character-

istic. This implies that the color is on the outside of the valve.

Personal observations in this particular locality have determined

that the periostracum is rather dark, with an occasional rust

color at the ventral edge of the shell. In the case of Mya

arenaria,, the rusty periostracum is quite obvious.

In conclusion, the molluscan fauna of Galesville is represented,

from current observations, by six families including seven spe-

cies. The hydrobiids are excluded. These species include:

Detracia floridana Shuttleworth and Melampus bidentatus

lineatus Say of the family Ellobiidae; Littorina irrorata (Say)

of the Littorinidae ; Volsella demissus (Dillwyn) of the Mytili-

112 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

dae ; Congeria leucophaeta Conrad of the Dreissenidae ; Macoma

balthica (Linn.) of the Tellinidae; and Mya arenaria (Linn.)

of the Myacidae.

Literature Cited

Allen, J. Frances. 1952. The morphology of the radula of

Littorina irrorata (Say). Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc. 71: 139-

145.

. 1954. Notes on the gastropods collected in the vicinity

of Crisfield, Maryland. Naut. 67 : 92-94.

Hausman, Sybil A. 1932. A contribution to the ecology of the

salt marsh snail, Melampus bidentatus Say. Amer. Nat. 66 :

541-545.

. 1948. Further studies on the marsh snail (Melampus

bidentatus or lineatus). Amer. Nat. 82: 137-144.

Morrison, J. P. E. 1950. American Ellobiidae — an annotated

list. Amer. Malacological Union Report 1950.

. 1951. Two new western species of pulmonate molluscs

of the genus Detracia and two old ones (family Ellobiidae).

Jour. Wash. Acad. Sci. 41 : 17-20.

0 'Rourk, Ann Elizabeth. 1948. A study of the annelid worm

population of the inshore region of Chesapeake Bay at Gales-

ville and Solomons. Unpublished M.S. thesis, University of

Maryland.

Pratt, H. S. 1935. A manual of the common invertebrate ani-

mals. Blakiston. 854 pp.

SHELL BEARING MARINE MOLLUSKS OF

CAPE ANN, MASSACHUSETTS

By ARTHUR H. CLARKE, JR.

During the past four years my wife and I have been collecting

marine mollusks in the vicinity of Cape Ann. From beach col-

lecting in all seasons and after storms, we have accumulated

a fair number of species. Recently additional material ob-

tained from fisherman's nets and from fish stomachs has in-

creased the list considerably and has produced some interesting

new records, including at least one new species.

Cape Ann is in Essex County, Massachusetts. It is approxi-

mately 35 miles northeast of Boston and fifteen miles south of

the New Hampshire state line, and constitutes a prominent fea-

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 113

ture of the New England coastline, jutting out into the Atlantic

for nearly twenty miles and forming the northern boundary of

Massachusetts Bay. The only city on Cape Ann is historic

Gloucester, still world famous as a leading fishing port and

summer resort.

Most of Cape Ann is actually an island, cut off from the main-

land by a narrow salt water passageway, the Annisquam River.

The shore line is alternately sandy and rocky. To the north

and east, the ocean bottom falls away gradually to 60 fathoms,

approximately ten miles from shore, and is intermittently sand,

mud and gravel or a mixture of all three.

It is in this general area that so much work has already been

done. Mighels, Adams, Gould, Couthouy, Verrill, Morse, Wink-

ley and others have collected extensively in this and nearby

regions. The area is a relatively rich one for New England and

is still a very fascinating territory to collect.

The most productive locality for beach collecting was found

at Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester, facing northward into Ip-

swich Bay. It is typically New England in its topography,

tremendous boulders and rocky outcrops are scattered in patches

between stretches of fine sand. Northeast storms often litter

the beach with shells, many of which may be from deep water

or are rare species.

Extensive local gill net fishing also provides a good source

of material. The fishing is done in nearby waters from 25 to

60 fathoms. The weighted edges of the nets lie on the bottom

and mollusks, spider crabs, large sea anemones, and several

species of starfish including the nine- to twelve-rayed Solasters

and Crossasters are often accidentally drawn up. The most

abundant invertebrate is the brachiopod Terebratulina septen-

trionalis Couthouy, found clinging to almost every solid object.

Most of these animals are thrown overboard as soon as they come

on board the boats, but some always escape and fall out on the

pier where the nets are dried. Here they may be easily col-

lected.

Recently we have been searching for shells in the stomachs

and intestines of fish caught in these nets. Most of the shells

were found in haddock but codfish also yielded many specimens.

A large majority of the shells were found in the lower digestive

114 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

tracts; less than 10% were actually found in the stomachs.

Many small shells which would probably have been overlooked

were obtained by straining a water slurry of the intestinal con-

tents through a fine wire mesh, rinsing with water and inspecting

the residual material under a low power microscope.

Admittedly some uncertainty exists in regard to the proper

locality of shells found in the fish, but W. F. Clapp has sug-

gested, on the basis of convincing evidence, that shells collected

in this manner can be regarded as probably from the area in

which the fish were caught. (See Nautilus 25, 104, 1912.)

The following 103 species and 4 subspecies have been collected

by my wife, Louise R. Clarke, and me during 1950 to 1953 from

Cape Ann and nearby waters. It has been deemed impractical

to list all known records from the area. Such a list would be

beyond the scope of this paper and belongs in a larger, more

comprehensive work. It is believed that the list is nearly com-

plete for this area and presents a fairly accurate picture of rela-

tive abundance of species.

The following abbreviations are used :

(G) Generally distributed over the entire coast of Cape Ann.

(GS) Generally distributed after storms.

(WB) Wingaersheek Beach Gloucester.

(WBS) Wingaersheek Beach after storms.

(GN) From gill nets used off Cape Ann, somewhere between 25

and 60 fathoms.

(F25-60) From fish caught off Cape Ann, somewhere between

25-60 fath.

(F28-40) From fish caught off Cape Ann, somewhere between

28-40 fath.

(F52-54) From fish caught off Cape Ann, somewhere between

52-54 fath.

Lepidochiton (Tonicella) marmorea marmorea Fabricius. (GN)

rare.

Solemya (Petrasma) borealis Totten. (WBS) uncommon.

Nucula proximo, proximo, Say. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54)

common.

N. tenuis tenuis Montagu. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54) common.

N. delphinodonta Mighels and Adams. (F28-40) uncommon.

Nuculana tenuisulcata Couthouy. (GN, F25-60) rare.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 115

Yoldia sapotilla Gould. (F25-60, F28^0, F52-54) common.

Y. (Megayoldia) thraciaeformis Storer. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-

54) juveniles common.

Y. (Yoldiella) lucida Loven. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54) com-

mon.

Pecten (Chlamys) islandicus islandicus Mtiller. (GN, F25-60,

F28^0, F52-54) common.

P. (Aequipecten) irradians irradians Lamarck. (WBS) one

broken valve, doubtless advectitious.

P. (Placopecten) grandis Solander. (WBS) rare; (GN, F25-

60, F28^0, F52-54) common.

P. (species). (F25-60, F28^0, F52-54) common, tiny dark

red specimens.

Anomia aculeata Miiller. (GS) common among holdfasts of

kelp; (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54) uncommon.

A. simplex d'Orbigny. (GS) uncommon among holdfasts of

kelp; (F25-60) uncommon.

Mytilus edulis edulis Linne. (G) abundant.

M. edulis pelucidus Pennant. (G) common, with the preceding.

Modiolus modiolus Linne. (GS) common among holdfasts of

kelp; (F25-60) juveniles uncommon.

M. (Brachidontes) demissus plicatulus Lamarck. (WB) com-

mon.

Modiolaria niger Gray. (GN) one specimen.

M. sub striata Gray. (GN) uncommon.

Crenella decussata Montagu. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54) un-

common.

C. glandula Totten. (F25-60, F28^0, F52-54) common.

Periploma (Cochlodesma) leanum Conrad. (WBS) uncommon.

Thracia conradi Couthouy. (WBS) juveniles uncommon, adults

rare and always fragmentary.

T. truncata Mighels and Adams. (WB) one specimen.

Lyonsia hyalina Conrad. (WB) uncommon.

Cuspidaria glacialis Sars. (F25-60) uncommon.

C. ooesa Loven. (F28-40, F52-54) uncommon.

Cyprina islandica Linne. (GS, GN) common; (F25-60, F28-

40, F52-54) juveniles common.

Astarte castanea picea Gould. (GN) rare.

A. undata Gould. (GN, F25-60, F28^0, F52-54) common.

A. subaequilatera subaequilatera Sowerby. (GN, F25-60, F28-

40, F52-54) common.

A. borealis Schumacher. (GN) common.

Venericardia borealis borealis Conrad. (GN, F25-60) common.

V. borealis novangliae Morse. (GN) uncommon.

Thyasira gouldii Philippi. (F52-54) common.

T. plana Verrill and Bush. (F52-54) uncommon.

116 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

T. ferruginosa Forbes. (F52-54) one specimen.

Aligena elevata Stimpson. (WBS) abundant 1-13-52. Rare

on all other occasions.

Clinocardium ciliatum Fabricius. (GN) rare.

Cerasto derma pinnulatum Conrad. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54)

most abundant mollusk found in fish — purple, brown and

yellow specimens common with typical white variety.

Pitar morrhuana Gould. (G) uncommon.

Gemma gemma gemma Totten. (G) common.

Petricola (Petricolaria) pholadiformis pholadiformis Lamarck.

(WB) uncommon.

P. (Petricolaria) pholadiformis lata Dall. (WB) rare.

Tellina (Angulus) tenera Say. (G) abundant.

Macoma balthica Linne. (WB) uncommon. Inlets of Annis-

quam River, abundant.

M. calcarea Gmelin. (GN, F25-60, F28-40) common.

Ensis directus Conrad. (WB) common.

Siliqua cost at a Say. (WB) common.

Spissula (Hemimactra) solidissima solidissima Dillwyn. (WB)

common.

S. (Hemimactra) polynyma Stimpson. (GN) uncommon.

Mulinia lateralis lateralis Say. (WB) rare. Inlets of Annis-

quam River, uncommon.

Mesodesma arctatum Conrad. Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester,

common.

My a arenaria Linne. (G) common. (F25-60, F28-40) small

angular specimens common.

Saxicava arctica Linne. (G) common among holdfasts of kelp;

(F25-60) uncommon.

Panomya arctica Lamarck. (GN) common.

Cyrtodaria siliqua Spengler. (WBS) common 11-28-51, rare

on all other occasions; (GN) common.

Xylophaga atlanticus Richards. (GN) one specimen.

Teredo navalis Linne. (G) uncommon in floating wood.

Acmaea testudinalis Miiller. (G) common.

Lepeta caeca Miiller. (GN) one specimen.

Puncturella princeps Mighels and Adams. (F25-60, F28-40,

F52-54) common.

Solariella (Machaeroplax) obscura obscura Couthouy. (F28-

40) rare.

Margarites helicina Phipps. (WB) on kelp, rare.

M. groenlandica Gmelin. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54) uncommon.

M. (Pupillaria) drier ea cinerea Couthouy. (F25-60, F28-40,

F52-54) uncommon.

Calliostoma occidentalis Mighels and Adams. (F28-40) un-

common.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 117

Calliostoma (species). (GN) one worn specimen, doubtless ad-

vectitious.

Epitonium (Boreoscala) greerilandicum Perry. (GN) rare;

(F25-60, F28-40, F52-54) uncommon.

Turbonilla louiseae (New species, description below). (F52-

54) one specimen.

Natica (Tectonatica) clausa clausa Broderip and Sowerby.

(F25-60) uncommon.

Polinices (Euspira) heros Say. (G) common.

P. (Euspira) triseriata Say. (WB) rare.

P. (Euspira) groenlandica Moller. (F28-40) rare.

Velutina laevigata Linne. (F25-60, F28-40, F52-54) common.

Crepidula fornicata Linne. (G) uncommon. Long Beach,

Gloucester, common.

C. plana Say. (G) uncommon; (GN) inside apertures of dead

Neptunea decemcostata Say, common.

Alvania carinata Mighels and Adams. (F28-40) one specimen.

Littorina littorea Linne. (G) abundant.

L. obtusata Linne. (G) common on shore rocks.

L. saxatile saxatile Olivi. (G) common on shore rocks.

L. saxatile tenebrosa Montagu. Inlets of Annisquam River,

common.

Lacuna vincta vincta Montagu. (G) common.

Trichotropis borealis costellata Couthouy. (F20-60) rare.

Aporrhais occidentalis occidentalis Beck. (WBS) rare; (GN)

uncommon.

Thais lapilla lapilla Linne. (G) common.

Nassarius (Ilyanassa) obsoleta Say. (WB) rare.

N. (Tritia) trivitata Say. (G) common.

Buccinum undatum undatum Linne. ("WBS, GN) common;

(F20-60) uncommon.

B. cyaneum cyaneum Bruguiere. (GN) one specimen, possibly

advectitious.

Neptunea decemcostata Say. (WBS) uncommon; (GN) com-

mon.

Colus stimpsoni stimpsoni Morsch. (WBS) uncommon; (GN)

abundant.

C. stimpsoni brevis Verrill. (WBS) common.

C. (Siphonorbis) pygmaeus Gould. (F20-60, F28-40, F52-54

common.

Lor a scalaris scalaris Moller. (F28-40) rare.

L. decussata decussata Couthouy. (GN, F2O-60, F28-40, F52-

54) common.

Pleurotomella (species). One specimen, possibly undescribed.

Admete couthouyi Say. (F20-60, F28-40, F52-54) uncommon.

118 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

Retusa gouldii Couthouy. (F28^£0) uncommon.

B. pertenuis Mighels. (F28-40) uncommon.

Diaphana debilis Gould. (F28-40) rare.

Cylichna (Bullinella) alba alba Brown. (F20-60) rare.

Limacina retroversa retroversa Fleming. (F52— 54) rare.

Melampus lineatus Say. Inlets of Annisquam River, abundant.

A few species, generally common on northeast Massachusetts

shores, were not found by us on Cape Ann. The most outstand-

ing examples were :

Pandora gouldiana Dall. Common at West Beach, North Bev-

erly, and Marblehead in 1-2 fathoms.

Zirphaea crispata Linne. Common at West Beach, North Bev-

erly, and Salisbury Beach, Salisbury.

Polinices (Neverita) duplicata Say. Common at Dane Street

Beach, Beverly. This locality seems to be the northern

limit for this species.

Turbonilla louiseae, new species Plate 9, right figure

Shell gray, faintly lustrous, elongate and with a regularly

tapering, acute spire. Periostracum thin, light brown. Whorls

ten, uniformly rounded and impressed at the sutures. First

three whorls smooth, fourth whorl crossed by 17 broad, rounded,

straight light brown, prominent ribs separated by grooves.

Ribs increasing in number and angularity on successive whorls

to 28 on the body whorl where each rib has assumed a flattened

sigmoid curve. Grooves equal to ribs in width but lighter in

color. Ribs and grooves crossed by numerous fine, spiral lines,

more distinct on the body whorl, but apparent on all ribbed

whorls, especially in the grooves between the ribs. Aperture

sub-ovate, lip thin, somewhat thickened at columella. Length

9 mm., width 2y2 mm. (F52-54) One specimen.

From shell characters alone, T. louiseae is apparently more

closely related to T. (Strioturbonilla) formosa Verrill and Smith

1880 (=T. bushiana Verrill 1882) than to any other North

Atlantic species. T. formosa has been recorded from off Georges

Bank, Mass. and Long Island, N. Y. in 365 to 1525 fathoms.

Several significant differences between the two species have been

observed, however.

T. formosa is white, lustrous and iridescent while T. louiseae

is gray, only faintly lustrous and not iridescent. No perio-

stracum was seen on living specimens of T. formosa by Verrill ;

THE NAUTILUS (37(4)

PLATE 9

Left 3 figs. Humboldtiana edithae Parodiz.

Eight fig. Turbonilla louiseae Clarke.

THE NAUTILUS 67(4)

PLATE 10

ALBANY COUNTY. WYOMING

For key to numbers, see pages L28— 129.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 119

a light brown periostracum is present on T. louiseae. Spiral

lines are absent in T. formosa but are obvious on all but the

nuclear whorls of T. louiseae. Finally, the whorls are more

flattened and the ribs are less distinct in T. formosa than in

T. louiseae.

Only one specimen has been found, and that was taken in

April 1953 from the stomach of a haddock caught off Cape Ann

in 52 to 54 fathoms. The holotype is now number 189662 in

the collection at the Museum of Comparative Zoology. By a

coincidence, it was the first shell found by the author in fish

taken from Cape Ann waters.

Through a regrettable error during the cleaning process, the

specimen was allowed to soak in a strong soap solution for an

excessive length of time and the thin periostracum was dissolved

by the alkaline component of the soap. The figure, therefore,

does not show the periostracum.

This species is named in honor of my wife, Louise R. Clarke,

who cheerfully accompanied me on all of our collecting trips,

many of which were made in zero winter weather, and who per-

sonally found a great many of the rarer species. Without her

help in collecting specimens and in typing the manuscript, this

paper could not have been written.

I wish to thank Dr. William J. Clench and Dr. Ruth D.

Turner for their generous cooperation and help in the identifica-

tion of some of the species, for their valuable suggestions in

connection with this paper, and for permitting the writer to

have access to the large and excellent collection at the Museum

of Comparative Zoology.

References

Blaney, D. W. 1906. List of the Shell Bearing Mollusca of

Frenchman's Bay, Maine. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 32,

23-41.

Clench, W. J. 1941-1951. Johnsonia, Vols. I-II.

Gould, A. A. Ed. by W. G. Binney. 1870. Report on the

Invertebrata of Massachusetts. Boston. Wright and Pot-

ter, State Printers.

Johnson, C. W. 1915. Fauna of New England. List of the

Mollusca. Occas. Papers Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 7, No. 13,

1-231.

120 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

. 1934. List of the Marine Mollusca of the Atlantic Coast

from Labrador to Texas. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 40,

1-204.

Sars, G. 0. 1878. Mollusca Regionis Arcticae Norvegiae.

xvi + 466 p. Christiana, (Norway).

Verrill, E. A. 1882. Catalog of Marine Mollusca Added to the

Fauna of the New England Region, During the Past Ten

Years. Trans. Conn. Acad. 5 : 447-587.

PLEISTOCENE MOLLUSKS FROM ANDROS ISLAND,

BAHAMAS

By HORACE G. EICHAEDS

Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.1

Through the kindness of Dr. Norman Newell of the American

Museum of Natural History in New York, a collection of

Pleistocene mollusks from Andros Island was submitted to the

writer for study. The material came from a fossil reef at Fresh

Creek Village from elevations between 2 and 11 feet above high

water mark. The radio-carbon tests give a figure of more than

30,000 years. Therefore it seems probable that these shells date

from a pre-Wisconsin (or possibly inter- Wisconsin) high stand

of the sea. The shells all indicate warm water similar to that in

the region today. All the species are common in Bahama waters

today except Cantharus auritula (Link) which is somewhat

rare.

The main collection is at the American Museum of Natural

History with some duplicates at the Academy of Natural Sci-

ences.

Pelecypoda

Area occidentalis Philippi

Echinochama arcinella (Linne)

Lucina pennsylvanica (Linne)

Codakia orbicidaris (Linne)

Chione pubera (Valenciennes)

Tellina fausta Donovan

i Also University of Pennsylvania.

Apr., 1954]

THE NAUTILUS

121

Gastropoda

Diadora listeri (d'Orbigny)

Livonia pica (Linne)

Tegula scalar e (Anton)

Calliostoma jujubinum perspectivum Philippi

Astraea celata (Gmelin)

Astraea longispina (Lamarck)

Vermicularia spirata (Philippi)

Conus sp.

Cerithium floridanum Morch

Cyphoma gibbosum (Linne)

Trivia pediculus (Linne)

Thais deltoidea (Lamarck)

Cymatium chlorostoma (Lamarck)

Columbella mercatoria (Linne)

Cantharus auritula (Link)

Fasciolaria distans Lamarck

For further data on the Pleistocene fossils, see Dall.2

TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC MOLLUSKS OF

ALBANY COUNTY, WYOMING

By DOEOTHY BEETLE

Albany County lies in southeastern Wyoming, adjoining Colo-

rado. The county has an area of 4,339 square miles, 800 square

miles more than the area of Delaware and Rhode Island com-

bined. New Jersey is not quite twice the size of Albany County.

Most of the land is utilized as ranches. There is some Taylor

Grazing Land, the rest being in National Forest. The popula-

tion of the county is slightly over 20,000.

The main geographical features of Albany County are those

of a high mountain plateau or basin rimmed on its eastern and

western edges by mountain ranges. The Laramie Mountains

border the county on the east, rising just south of the Wyoming-

Colorado border. Near the northern county line, the mountain

chain alters direction, so that the mountains curve to the north-

2 Dall, William H. Fossils of the Bahama Islands, with a List of the

Non-marine Mollusks. In "The Bahama Islands," Geographical Spc. of

Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Press, 1905, pp. 23-47.

122 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (4)

western corner and terminate in Natrona County. The crest of

the Laramie Mountains is rather uniform in height at approxi-

mately 8,000 feet. Laramie Peak, set somewhat apart from the

main mountain chain, has an elevation of 10,274 feet.

The Laramie Basin lies between 7,100 and 7,500 feet. The

Basin is drained by the Big and Little Laramie Rivers. They

join to form the Laramie River proper which has cut a channel

midway through the Laramie Mountains to flow into the North

Platte River. All waters in the county eventually flow into the

North Platte. East of the Laramie Mountains the elevation

drops to 6,500 feet.

The Medicine Bow Mountains occupy the southwestern sec-

tion of the county and extend into Carbon County. These

beautiful mountains average about 1,000 feet higher than the

Laramies. Near their center is a group of glaciated peaks

known as the Snowy Range. Medicine Bow is the highest peak

with an elevation of 12,005 feet.

Localities

I. Laramie Mountains. The Laramie Mountains are a pene-

plain that has been eroded to Pre-Cambrian granites. The

granites outcrop along the crest of the mountains and in the

vicinity of Vedauwoo appear as monuments. The soil is shallow

and neutral to slightly acid, ranging to a pH of 6.5. The creeks

are tiny and run over granite gravel bottoms. Where they have

been dammed b}r beaver, Pisidium, Physa and Lymnaea may be

found in the black mud bottoms. The average annual rainfall

is between 12 to 18 inches. The mean summer temperature near

the summit is 52 to 55° F.

The Laramie Mountains are unique in lacking a true plant

climax. Here occurs the transition from a plains to a mountain

flora. All of the trees native to Wyoming may be found in scat-

tered stands here in locally favored situations.

In aspen groves, particularly those along the creeks and about

the beaver dams, the greatest variety and quantity of mollusks

have been found (26 species). The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga

taxi] 'olio) -blue spruce (Picea pungens) communities rank sec-

ond in number of species (10) found. Mature ponderosa pine

(Pinus ponderosa) stands yield fewer snails (6) species.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 123

On the western flanks of the Laramie Mountains, limestone,

sandstone, and shales outcrop. The land is steep and dry with

only intermittent flowing creeks. The soil is generally alkaline

or saline. Grasses and woody shrubs such as mountain ma-

hogany (Cercocarpus montanus) are the dominant vegetation.

In crevices in the rocks and under slopes with a northern or

eastern exposure, a limited snail population can be found.

Vallonia, Pupilla and Oreohelix species apparently alone occupy

the range. Moisture appears to be the limiting factor.

II. The Laramie Basin. The Laramie Basin is a grass-cov-

ered plateau largely underlain by sedimentary rocks. In com-

paratively recent geological time, it has been dug out by wind

and water. The Big Hollow, a wind eroded depression nine

by three miles in dimension, is a conspicuous example of wind

action which still continues all over the basin. The soils are

alkaline or saline and support a shortgrass and mixed grass

association. A few trees grow along the waterways, primarily

narrow-leafed cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) and willows

(Salix sp.). Many streams are intermittent; lakes and ponds

are strongly alkaline.

The growing season in the basin lasts about 90 days as con-

trasted to about 70 days in the mountains. Not much activity

among the snails has been noted outside these limits. Minimum

winter temperatures drop to — 40° F. Summer maximums range

above 80° F. The average yearly rainfall is 11.35 inches, re-

ceived mainly between April and August. The average relative

humidity is 65 percent. The winds are steady and moderate,

their direction being influenced considerably by the local topog-

raphy. Low precipitation, low temperatures and low relative

humidity combined with a high rate of evaporation, limit the

mollusk population.

Various small creeks and the Laramie River have yielded

species of Physa, Lymnaea, Sphaerium, Ferrissia, Aplexa, and

Gyraulus. Some ponds have become so salty that they contain

no mollusks at all. I have dug below the salt crust of some

dried-up ponds, but have found no remains of snails. Along

the banks of Spring Creek a species of Helisoma was found

weathering out of the topsoil. A sagebrush community borders

the Basin and Oreohelix subrudis often occurs in considerable

124 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (4)

numbers in the open about the base of the shrubs. Other than

these, no specimens have been found in the Basin.

III. Medicine Bow Mountains. The Medicine Bow Mountains

are composed largely of igneous and metamorphic rocks. About

8,500 feet the region has been subjected to two cycles of glacia-

tion. Permanent snowbanks may be found above 10,000 feet.

The soil is deeper than that on the Laramie Mountains, and is

neutral to slightly acid. The average yearly rainfall is 20 inches,

distributed rather evenly over the year. The mean summer

temperature on the mountain heights is 47° F. Winter mini-

mums probably drop below — 60° F.

There are numerous small seepage lakes, moraine ponds and

beaver ponds. Some lakes are fed by melting snow on their

banks even in July and August. The water in lakes near the

summit is so nearly neutral that it can be used as distilled water.

The Transition Zone, as defined by Merriam, occupies the

foothills up to about 8,000 feet. Sedimentary rocks eroded into

hogbacks usually underlie the area in this county. Mountain

mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) and ponderosa pine (Pinus

ponderosa) are the dominant vegetation. Douglas fir and blue

spruce are to be found in the moist valleys. Narrow-leafed

cottonwood, black birch (Betula fontinalis) , willows and shrubs

grow along the streams.

The Canadian Zone has its upper limits at 9,500 to 10,000

feet, The dominant tree is the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta).

Bearberry, juniper and various herbs make up the ground cover.

Along the streams mountain alder (Alnus tenui folia) is common.

The Hudsonian Zone has its upper limit at timberline between

11,000 and 11,500 feet. The dominant trees are alpine fir (Abies

lasiocarpa), white barked pine (Pinus albicaulis), and Engle-

mann spruce (Picea engelmanii), characteristically stunted and

wind shaped. Willows grow along the creeks.

The Arctic-alpine Zone extends to the tops of the mountains,

but the highest peaks have only barren boulder fields at their

summits. Alpine grasses, sedges and flowers as well as thickets

of willows grow in this zone, forming a dense carpet where the

soil is good. Freezing temperatures may be recorded every

month of the year.

Most land shells are found in the Transition and Canadian

Zones. Aspen groves have the most populous inolluscan com-

Apr., 1954]

THE NAUTILUS

125

nmnities. In the Douglas fir-blue spruce climax, Vitrina,

Vertigo, Columella, Euconulus, Zonitiodes, and Oreohelix are

common. Pure dense stands of young lodgepole pine have yielded

no snails at all. Mature lodgepole forest has a somewhat more

moist floor. Here Oreohelix and Zonitiodes appear.

The only place where shells were found in great numbers in

the county was at Chimney Rock on Sand Creek. Here a small

creek runs through the dry wind-sculptured sandstone beds. It

is bordered by a thicket of willow scrub, possibly five feet wide

on either side, and the leaf litter teams with Oreohelix sub-

rudis.

Species found in Albany County.

Terrestrial Mollusks

Oreohelix strigosa cooperi

Oreohelix subrudis

Euconulus fulvus

Euconulus fulvus alaskensis

Retinella binneyana occiden-

talis

Hawaiia minuscula

Zonitoides arboreus

Vitrina alaskana

Deroceras laeve

Discus cronkhitei

Succinea stretchiana

Pupilla blandi

Pupilla hebes

Pupilla muscorum

Vertigo concinnula

Vertigo gouldi coloradensis

Vertigo modesta

Vertigo modesta var. parietalis

Columella alticola

Columella edentula

Vallonia albula

Vallonia cyclophorella

Vallonia gracilicosta

Vallonia pulchella

Zoogenetes harpa

Cionella lubrica

Aquatic Mollusks

Lymnaea stagnalis appressa

Galba bulimoides cockerelli

Galba palustris

Helisoma trivolvis

Gyraulus vermicularis

Physa ampullacea

Physa forsheyi

Physa gyrina

Physa nuttalli

Physa triticea

Aplexa hypnorum

Ferrissia rivularis

Valvata lewisi helicoidea

Sphaerium striatinum

Pisidium contortum

Species Localities of Laramie Mountains

Middle Fork of Crow Creek: Physa triticea, Pisidium sp.

Blair Picnic Ground: Vallonia cyclophorella, Pisidium sp.

126 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

Wallis Picnic Ground: Physa triticea. Pole Mountain, South

Fork of Pole (Lodgepole) Creek: Oreohelix subrudis, Euconulus

fulvus, E. fulvus alaskensis, Retinella binneyana occidentalis,

Hawaiia minuscula, Zonitoides arboreus, Vitrina alaskana,

Deroceras laeve, Discus cronkhitei, Succinea stretchiana, Pupilla

blandi, P. hebes, P. muscorum, Vertigo concinnula, V. gouldi

color adensis, Columella alticola, C. edentula, Vallonia albula,

V. cyclophorella, V. gracilicosta, Zoogenetes harpa, Cionella

lubrica, Galba palustris, Physa nuttallii, Pisidium sp.

"A Report on the Land Snails of the Jackson Hole Region.

Wyoming" (Levi, 1951) notes that earlier workers had consid-

ered Zoogenetes harpa rare or possibly introduced. In the

southern Laramie Mountains I have found Zoogenetes harpa

three times, two of the localities being in Laramie County. Un-

der one decaying log, 14 mature individuals were clustered. As

the three localities are well removed from human habitation,

most likely Zoogenetes occurs naturally in the area.

Yellow Pine Camp Ground: Oreohelix subrudis, Euconulus

fulvus, Zonitoides arboreus, Vitrina alaskana, Discus cronkhitei,

Pupilla muscorum. Telephone Canyon : Oreohelix subrudis, Pu-

pilla blandi, Columella edentula, Vallonia cyclophorella. Horse

Creek: Zonitoides arboreus, Physa ampullacea, Lymnaea sp.,

Pisidium sp. Roger's Canyon: Oreohelix subrudis, Columella

edentula, Vallonia albula. Wheatland Cutoff, adjacent hills:

Pupilla muscorum, Vallonia gracilicosta. North Sibille Creek :

Discus cronkhitei, Pupilla blandi, P. hebes, Vallonia cyclopho-

rella, Lymnaea, Physa ampullacea, Pisidium sp. Laramie Peak,

road along west slope: Oreohelix subrudis, Euconulus fulvus,

Zonitoides arboreus, Discus cronkhitei, Vallonia cyclophorella.

Horseshoe Creek near Esterbrook: Euconulus fulvus, Zonitoides

arboreus, Discus cronkhitei, Vallonia albula.

Laramie Basin

Fish Creek, Two Bar Seven Ranch: Succinea stretchiana.

Sand Creek at Wooden Shoe Ranch : Galba palustris, Physa

gyrina. Pool along road to Wodden Shoe Ranch: Galba palu-

stris. Dale Creek : Physa triticea. Harney Creek at Hermosa :

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 127

Galba palustris. Red Buttes: Vallonia cyclophorella, Physa

ampullacea. Soldier Creek: Galba palustris. Spring Creek:

Vallonia cyclophorella, Galba palustris, Helisoma trivolvis, Gy-

raulus vermicular is, Physa ampullacea, Valvata lewisi heli-

coidea, Pisidium sp. Laramie River at Laramie : Galba palustris,

Physa ampullacea, Aplexa hypnorum, Ferrissia rivularis, Spha-

erium striatinum. Laramie River two miles south of Bosler:

Aplexa hypnorum. Pioneer Ditch: Galba palustris, Gyraulus

vermicularis, Physa ampullacea, Physa gyrina. Pool at Univer-

sity of Wyoming Agronomy Farm: Galba palustris, Gyraulus

vermicularis. Pond on University of "Wyoming Livestock Farm :

Lymnaea stagnalis appresa. Roadside pool on Rt. 230: Galba

palustris. Seven Mile Lake: Galba palustris. Porter Lake, Rt.

130 : Gyraulus vermicularis, Physa ampullacea. Little Laramie

River near Centennial: Physa ampullacea, Pisidium sp. Little

Laramie River near Quaely: Lymnaea sp., Physa ampullacea,

Pisidium sp., Valvata lewisi helicoidea. Lake Hattie Reservoir :

Gyraulus vermicularis. Bamforth Lakes : Galba bulimoides

cockerelli.

Medicine Bow Mountains

Chimney Rock : Oreohelix subrudis, Pupilla blandi, Vallonia

cyclophorella. Woods Landing: Physa ampullacea. Camp

Roosevelt on Pelton Creek: Gyraulus vermicularis, Physa sp.,

Pisidium sp. Sheep Mountain, west side : Oreohelix subrudis.

University of Wyoming Recreation Camp: Oreohelix subrudis,

Euconulus fulvus, Zonitoides arboreus, Vitrina alaskana, Discus

cronkhitei, Pupilla muscorum. Libby Creek Camp Grounds:

Oreohelix strigosa cooperi, Zonitoides arboreus. Barber Lake:

Zonitoides arboreus, Vitrina alaskana, Pupilla blandi, Gyraulus

vermicularis, Physa ampullacea. Middle Fork of the Little

Laramie River : Euconulus fulvus, Vitrina alaskana, Deroceras

laeve, Vertigo modesta, V. modesta var parietalis, Columella

edentula, Pisidium contortum. Nash Creek at Picnic Grounds :

Galba palustris. Brooklyn Lake: Galba palustris, Gyraulus

vermicularis, Physa sp., Pisidium sp. Telephone Lakes : Pi-

sidium contortum.

No collections were made at Lake Marie at 10,000 feet in the

128 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (4)

Medicine Bow Mountains. Nothing was found in Rock Creek,

Antelope Creek near Garrett, nor Bluegrass Creek.

The foregoing species have been collected by the author during

the summers of 1950-1953. Duplicate specimens have been de-

posited in the University of Colorado Museum, American Mu-

seum of Natural History, Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila-

delphia, and the Chicago Museum. Acknowledgment is made

of the aid received from Dr. William Rodeck who permitted the

author to examine the collections of the University of Colorado

Museum. Thanks are due to Dr. Henry A. Pilsbry and Dr.

Fritz Haas who have identified some specimens, and to Dr.

George T. Baxter and Dr. Alan A. Beetle who have criticized

this manuscript.

Other reports of mollusks from Albany County are as follows :

Baxter, G. T. Fox Creek near Fox Park: Physa forsheyi,

Pisidium sp. Lake Irene: Oalba palustris. Porter Lake: Galba

palustris, Physa ampullacea.

Henderson, J. Chimney Rock: Pupilla hebes. Southeast of

Jelm: Euconulus fulvus alaskensis, Zonitoides arboreus. Seven

miles south of Laramie : Zonitoides minuscula. Albany County :

Vallonia cyclophorella.

Pilsbry, H. A. Southeast of Jelm: Discus cronkhitei. Near

Laramie : Hawaiia minuscula.

Baker did not give the exact localities for species of Lymnaea

and Oalba, but the ranges of seven species might bring them into

the county.

Key to Localities of Map

1, Middle Fork of Crow Creek. 2, Blair Picnic Ground. 3,

Wallis Picnic Ground. 4, Pole Mountain, South Fork of Pole

(Lodgepole) Creek. 5, Yellow Pine Camp Ground. 6, Tele-

phone Canyon. 7, Horse Creek. 8, Wheatland Cutoff. 9, North

Sibille Creek.

10, Bluegrass Creek. 11, North Laramie River. 12, Laramie

Peak. 13, Antelope Creek near Garrett. 14, Horseshoe Creek

near Esterbrook. 15, Esterbrook. 16, Fish Creek, Two Bar

Seven Ranch. 17, Sand Creek at Wooden Shoe Ranch. 18, Pool

along road to Wooden Shoe Ranch. 19, Dale Creek.

20, Tie Siding. 21, Harney Creek at Hermosa. 22, Red

Buttes. 23, Soldier Creek. 24, Spring Creek. 25, Laramie.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 129

26, Laramie River at Laramie. 27, Laramie River two miles

south of Bosler. 28, Wheatland Reservoir. 29, Sheep Creek.

30, Rock Creek. 31, Rock River. 32, James Lake. 33, Pioneer

Ditch. 34, Pool at University of Wyoming Agronomy Farm.

35, Pool at University of Wyoming Livestock Farm. 36, Road-

side Pool on Rt. 230, four miles west of junction with Rt. 130.

37, Seven Mile Lakes. 38, Soda Lakes. 39, Porter Lake, Rt. 130.

40, Lake Hattie Reservoir. 41, Little Laramie River near

Centennial. 42, Centennial. 43, Little Laramie River near

Quaely. 44, Bamforth Lakes. 45, Chimney Rock. 46, Woods

Landing. 47, Fox Creek at Fox Park. 48, Camp Roosevelt on

Pelton Creek. 49, Sheep Mountain.

50, University of Wyoming Recreation Camp. 51, Barber

Lake. 52, Libby Creek Camp Grounds. 53, Middle Fork of the

Little Laramie River. 54, Nash Fork at Picnic Grounds. 55,

Brooklyn Lake. 56, Telephone Lakes. 57, Lake Marie. 58,

Medicine Bow Peak. 59, Jelm Mountain.

60, Lake Irene. 61, Rogers Canyon.

References

Baker, F. C. 1911. The Lymnaeidae of North and Middle

America. Recent and Fossil. Chicago Acad. Sci. Spec. Publ.

3.

Baxter, G. T. 1952. The Relation of Temperature to the Alti-

tudinal Distribution of Frogs and Toads in Southeastern

Wyoming. Ph.D. Thesis Univ. Mich.

Henderson, J. 1924. Mollusca of Colorado, Utah, Montana,

Idaho and Wyoming. Univ. Colo. Studies 13 (2).

. 1936. Mollusca of Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho and

Wyoming. Supplement Univ. Colo. Studies 23 (2).

Levi, L. R., and Levi, H. W. 1951. A Report on Land Snails

of the Jackson Hole Region, Wyoming. Nautilus 65 (2) :

60-65.

Merriam, C. H. 1898. Life Zones and Crop Zones of the United

States. Bull. 10, Biol. Survey U.S.D.A.

A TECHNIQUE FOR SLUG CULTURE

By FKANK P. SIVIK

Department of Entomology, North Carolina State College,

Ealeigh, North Carolina

Slugs are common pests in greenhouses as well as in gardens.

They are economically important, more so in the greenhouse than

130 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

out in the field, because of the generally higher value of green-

house plants. The writer worked on the biology and control

problem of the gray garden slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Miil-

ler), and the following technique for the rearing of slugs was

noted to be satisfactory.

A stock culture was kept in a wooden box 20V4" long, 9V4"

wide and 6" high with an open top covered by gauze held down

by surgical tape. This covering prevented the escape of the

slugs and permitted air to circulate in the box. Old boards

were put on top of the soil to serve as hiding places for the

slugs during the day. The soil was kept damp at all times and

the quarters were cleaned twice a month to prevent the growth

of molds and fungi. It was checked about every three days for

the presence of eggs. Lettuce was used for food and this was

supplied when necessary.

Any eggs present were removed and placed in petri dishes

lined with filter paper. Drops of water were added to the filter

paper, when necessary, to maintain a constant moist condition.

Various other containers were used experimentally but the above

was found to be the most satisfactory. The eggs collected were

carefully handled and observed each day for embryonic develop-

ment. The relative humidity was considered to be approximately

100 per cent as the dishes were covered and the filter paper

kept moist. The writer observed that once embryonic develop-

ment started in an egg, it took from 17 to 23 days to hatch.

The newly hatched slugs were placed singly in petri dishes

lined with moist filter paper. Lettuce was used for food and

this was replaced when consumed by the slug. Every four days

the slugs were measured. The length and width measurements,

in centimeters, were taken when the slug was extended. The

width was taken at the widest part of the mantle — dorsal aspect.

The petri dishes were examined daily and water was added to

keep the filter paper moist. Care should be exercised in tempera-

ture regulation. High temperature dried the filter paper and

the slugs died. A desirable temperature range would be 65° F

to 75° F.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 131

PISIDIUM SPECIES AND SYNONYMS, NORTH

AMERICA, NORTH OF MEXICO

(Continued from January number)

By H. B. HERRINGTON

The Pisidium species as I understand them, are as follows.

PlSIDIUM CASERTANUM (Poli)

1791. Cardium casertanum Poli. Test. utr. Siciliae, Vol. 1, p. 65.

1838. Pisidium cinereum Alder. Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Nor-

thumb. Durh. 2 : 341.

1841. Pisidium abditum Haldeman. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.

Phila. 1 : 53.

1841. Cyclas minor [minus] C. B. Adams. Boston Proc. 1 : 48.

1842. Cyclas steenbuchi Moller. Index. Moll. Groenlandiae, p.

20.

1843. Pisidium roseum Scholtz. Sehlesien's Moll., p. 140.

1852. Pisidium regulare Prime. Boston Jour. 6 : 363.

1853. Pisidium noveboracense Prime. Ann. N. Y. Lye. 6 : 66.

1863. Pisidium occidentale Newcomb. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.

Calif. 2 : 94.

1895. Pisidium politum Sterki. Nautilus 9 : 75.

1896. Pisidium randolphi Roper, ibid. 9 : 99.

1896. Pisidium trapezoideum Sterki. ibid. 9 : 124.

1898. Pisidium roperi Sterki. ibid. 12 : 77.

1901. Pisidium streatori Sterki. ibid. 14 : 100.

1902. Pisidium strengi Sterki. ibid. 15 : 126.

1903. Pisidium ashmuni Sterki. ibid. 17 : 42.

1903. Pisidium complanatum Sterki. ibid. 17 : 79.

1903. Pisidium rowelli Sterki. ibid. 17 : 80.

1903. Pisidium cuneiforme Sterki. ibid. 17 : 81.

1905. Pisidium atlanticum Sterki. ibid. 18 : 128.

1906. Pisidium proximum Sterki. ibid. 20 : 5.

1906. Pisidium subrotundum Sterki. ibid. 20 : 19.

1906. Pisidium friersoni Sterki. ibid. 20 : 20.

1906. Pisidium neglectum Sterki. ibid. 20 : 87.

1907. Pisidium superius Sterki. ibid. 20 : 98.

1907. Pisidium succineum Sterki. ibid. 20 : 99.

1911. Pisidium albidum Sterki. ibid. 25 : 2.

132 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (4)

1911. Pisidium dispar Sterlri. ibid. 25 : 2.

1911. Pisidium inornatum Sterki. ibid. 25 : 3.

1912. Pisidium alleni Sterki. ibid. 26 : 9.

1913. Pisidium columbianum Sterki. ibid. 26: 117.

1913. Pisidium nevadense Sterki. ibid. 26 : 137.

1916. Pisidium elevatum Sterki. Prelim. Cat. N. A. Sphaeriidae,

Ann. Carnegie Mus., 10. 3-4. p. 455.

1916. Pisidium ovum Sterki. ibid. p. 464.

1916. Pisidium huachucanum Pilsbry & Ferriss. ibid. p. 467.

Pilsbry & Ferriss (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., 1, 173) had

named this P. abditum huachucanum, but Sterki raised

it to the status of a species.

1916. Pisidium fabale Sterki. ibid. p. 468.

1916. Pisidium hannai Sterki. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 51 : 475-

477.

1922. Pisidium griseolum Sterki. Some Notes on Sphaeriidae

with desc. of New Species. Ann. Carnegie Mus., 13.

3-4. p. 432.

1922. Pisidium orcasenese Sterki. ibid. pp. 425-439.

1923. Pisidium lucidum Sterki. Nautilus, 37 : 19.

1923. Pisidium mirum Sterki. ibid. 37 : 20.

The following, to the best of my knowledge, were never de-

scribed. They are MS. or label names, but I list them in case

they may be in circulation. They are all P. casertanum (Poli).

Pisidium anceps Sterki. Pisidium berryi Sterki. Pisidium

canadense Sterki. Pisidium capax Sterki. Pisidium cinetum

Sterki. Pisidium concinnulum Sterki. Pisidium corpulentum

Sterki. Pisidium devium Sterki. Pisidium egregium Sterki.

Pisidium eyerdami Sterki. Pisidium fidalgoense Sterki. Pisid-

ium isabellancum Sterki. Pisidium levissimum Sterki. Pisidium

mamillanum Sterki. Pisidium pumilum Sterki. Pisidium

rugosulum Sterki. Pisidium striggill'm Sterki.

Pisidium nitidum Jenyns

1832. Pisidium nitidum nobis : Jenyns. Trans. Camb. Phil. Soc.

4:304.

1865. Pisidium contort um Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb., Smith.

Misc. Coll. 145 : 73.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 133

1896. Pisidium pauperculum Sterki. Nautilus 10 : 64-66.

1898. Pisidium splendidulum Sterki. ibid. 11: 112-114.

1899. Pisidium handwerhi Sterki. ibid. 13 : 90.

1901. Pisidium tenuissimum Sterki. ibid. 14 : 99-100.

1906. Pisidium minuscidum Sterki. ibid. 20 : 17.

1913. Pisidium glabellum Sterki. ibid. 26 : 137.

1913. Pisidium lermondi Sterki. ibid. 26 : 138.

1916. Pisidium latchfordi Sterki. Prelim. Cat. N. A. Sphae-

riidae. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 10, 3-4. 16 : 452.

1922. Pisidium prognathum Sterki. Some Notes on Sphaeriidae

with descr. of New Species. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 13.

3-4. pp. 436^37.

I do not think the following were described, but the names are

found in MSS. or on labels. Pisidium flexum Sterki. Pisidium

overiapicula Sterki. Pisidium luteolum Sterki. Pisidium

amoenum Sterki.

Form contortum Prime. Form pauperculum Sterki.

The forms glabellum and latchfordi are only variations of

pauperculum and need be given no recognition. The contortum

are rare, but pauperculum are plentiful.

Pisidium ferrugineum Prime

1851. Pisidium ferrugineum Prime. Boston Proc, p. 162.

1865. Pisidium ferrugineum Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb., Smith.

Misc. Coll. 145 : 71.

1894. Pisidium (Fossarina) hib ernicum Westerlund. Nachricht-

sbl. Deutsch. Malak, Gesell. 26 : 205.

1899. Pisidium medianum Sterki. Nautilus 13 : 10.

1903. Pisidium costatum Sterki. ibid. 17 : 22.

1916. Pisidium vexum Sterki. Prelim. Cat. N. A. Sphaeriidae.

Ann. Carnegie Mus. 10. 3-4. 16 : 461.

1922. Pisidium pilula Sterki. Some Notes on Sphaeriidae with

Descriptions of New Species, ibid., 13. 3-4. 1921:437.

Pisidium depressum Sterki. This is a label name but, lest

it be in circulation, I list it.

Good forms: Form medianum Sterki. Form costatum Sterki.

Form hib ernicum Westerlund.

134 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (4)

Pisidium obtusale C. Pfeiffer

1821. Pisidium obtusale C. Pfeiffer. Naturg. Deutsch. Moll.

p. 125.

1851. Pisidium ventricosum Prime. Boston Proc. 4 : 68.

1851. Pisidium rotundatum Prime, ibid. 164.

1865. Pisidium ventricosum Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb., Smith.

Misc. Coll. 145 : 72.

1865. Pisidium rotundatum Prime, ibid. 72-73.

1896. Pisidium vesiculare n. sp. Sterki. Nautilus, 10 : 20-21.

Form ventricosum Prime. Form lapponicum Clessin.

Pisidium milium Held

1836. Pisidium milium Held. Isis. Coll. 281. [Fide Clessin,

Malak. Blatt. 18, 1871 : 190.]

Pisidium conventus Clessin

1877. Pisidium conventus Clessin. Malak. Blatt. p. 181.

Pisidium lilljeborgi Clessin

1886. Pisidium lilljeborgi Clessin. Esmark & Hoyer, Malak.

Blatt. N.F. 8 : 119.

1896. Pisidium scutellatum Sterki. Nautilus 10 : 66.

1928. Pisidium scutellatum Sterki, form cristatum Sterki. ibid.

42 : 25.

Form cristatum Sterki.

Pisidium subteuncatum Malm

1855. Pisidium subtruncatum Malm. Gotheborgs K. Vet. &

Vitt. Samh. Handl. 3 : 92.

Pisidium supinum A. Schmidt

1850. Pisidium supinum Schmidt. Zeitschr. f. Malakozool.

7:119.

Pisidium henslowanum (Sheppard)

1825. Tellina henslowana Leach MS. : Sheppard. Trans. Linn.

Soc. 14 : 150.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 135

Pisidium punctatum Sterki

1895. Pisidium punctatum Sterki. Nautilus 8 : 99-100.

1918. Pisidium tenuilineatum Stelfox. Jour, of Conch. 15 :

296-298.

Pisidium amnicum (Muller)

1774. Tellina amnica Muller. Verm. Hist. 2 : 205.

1832. Pisidium amnicum Muller: Jenyns. Trans. Camb. Phil.

Soc.4:309.

Pisidium compressum Prime

1851. Pisidium compressum Prime. Bost. Proc. 4 : 164.

1865. Pisidium compressum Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb., Smith.

Misc. CoU. 145 : 64-66.

Pisidium variable Prime

1851. Pisidium variabile Prime. Bost. Proc. 4 : 163.

1853. Pisidium cicer Prime. Ann. N. Y. Lye. 6 : 65.

1865. Pisidium variabile Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb., Smith.

Misc. CoU. 145 : 66.

1865. Pisidium compressum cicer Prime, ibid. 145 : 65.

1913. Pisidium furcatum Sterki. Nautilus 26 : 118.

1923. Pisidium probum Sterki. ibid. 37 : 18.

Pisidium aequilaterale Prime

1852. Pisidium aequilaterale Prime. Boston Jour. 6 : 366.

1865. Pisidium aequilaterale Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb., Smith.

Misc. Coll. 145 : 63-64.

Pisidium insigne Gabb

1868. Pisidium insigne Gabb. Amer. Jour. Conch. 4 : 68.

1900. Pisidium imbecille Sterki. Nautilus 14 : 5.

1901. Pisidium monas Sterki. ibid. 14 : 100.

1916. Pisidium abortivum Sterki. Prelim. Cat. of N. A. Sphae-

riidae. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 10. 3^. 16 : 469-470.

1922. Pisidium notophthalmi Sterki. Some notes on Sphae-

riidae with descriptions of new species. Ann. Carnegie

Mus. 13. 3-4. pp. 434-435.

136 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (4)

Pisidium adamsi Prime

1851. Pisidium adamsi Prime. Stimp. Moll. New Engl. 16.

1865. Pisidium adamsi Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb., Smith. Misc.

Coll. 145 : 63.

1901. Pisidium affine Sterki. Nautilus 15 : 66-67.

1901. Pisidium sargenti Sterki. ibid. 15 : 67-69.

1912. Pisidium sphaericum Sterki. ibid. 26 : 8-9.

1916. Pisidium adamsi affine Sterki. Prelim. Cat. N. A. Sphae-

riidae. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 10. 3-4. p. 454.

1922. Pisidium deflexum Sterki. Some notes on Sphaeriidae

with descriptions of new species. Ann. Carnegie Mus.

13. 3-4. p. 429.

Form affine Sterki. Form deflexum Sterki.

Pisidium fallax Sterki

1896. Pisidium fallax Sterki. Nautilus 10 : 20.

1899. Pisidium kirklandi Sterki. ibid. 13 : 11.

Form kirklandi Sterki.

Pisidium mainense Sterki

1903. Pisidium mainese Sterki. Nautilus 17 : 21.

Pisidium walkeri Sterki

1895. Pisidium walkeri Sterki. Nautilus 9 : 75.

Pisidium idahoense Roper

1890. Pisidium idahoense Roper. Nautilus 4 : 35.

Form indianense Sterki.

Pisidium dubium (Say)

1816. Cyclas dubia Say. Nicholson's Encycl.

1820. Cyclas equalis (Phymeroda equalis) Rafinesque. Ann.

Gen. Sci. Phys. Bruxelles, p. 319.

1841. Pisidium abrupt um Haldeman. Proc. A. N. S. Phila., p.

53 (Elk River, Md.).

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 137

1852. Pisidium dubium Gould. Prime, Bost. Jour. N. H. 6 : 254.

1865. Pisidium virginicum Bourguignat. Prime, Mon. Amer.

Corb., Smith. Misc. Coll. 145 : 61.

1916. Pisidium virginicum (Gmelin). Sterki, Prelim. Cat. N.

A. Sphaeriidae. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 10. 3^. p. 446.

(See Nautilus 59 : 86-87, for Pilsbry 's statement about above.)

Pisidium cruciatum Sterki

1895. Pisidium cruciatum Sterki. Nautilus 8 : 97.

Pisidium singleyi Sterki

1898. Pisidium singleyi Sterki. Nautilus 11 : 112-114.

Pisidium ultramontanum Prime

1865. Pisidium ultramontanum Prime. Mon. Amer. Corb.,

Smith. Misc. Coll. 145 : 75.

The following ' species ' have too few specimens or are too badly

mixed for the writer to make any pronouncement about them at

the present time.

1900. Pisidium peraltum Sterki. Sometimes listed under

fraudulentum. Nautilus 14 : 5.

1903. Pisidium ohioense Sterki. ibid. 17 : 20.

1905. Pisidium limatulum Sterki. ibid. 18 : 108.

1912. Pisidium fraudulentum Sterki. ibid. 26 : 95.

1922. Pisidium limpidum Sterki. Some notes on Sphaeriidae

with descriptions of new species. Ann. Carnegie Mus.

13. 3^. p. 433.

Conclusion. — This is a revised list of Pisidium species with

some reasons for such a revision.

A description of the characters the author uses in determining

these species, with drawings, is in process of preparation. A

similar treatment of Sphaerium and its subgenus, Musculium, is

also in process.

A Selected Bibliography

Herrington, H. B. 1950. Sphaeriidae of Athabaska and Great

Slave Lakes, Northwestern Canada. Can. Field Nat. 64 : 25-32.

138 THE nautilus [Vol. 67 (4)

Odhner, Nils Hj. 1921. Mollusca. Pisidium conventus Clessin

(P. Clessini Surbeck, partim). Report of the scientific results

of the Norwegian Expedition to Novaya Zemlya, 1921. Videns-

kapsselskapet I Kristiana. 6 : 1-6.

. 1951. Swedish high mountain Mollusca. The mountain

fauna of the Virihaure area in Swedish Lapland. Lunds Uni-

versitets Arsskrift N. F. Avad. 2 Bd. 46. Nr. 2 : 26-35.

Prashad, B. 1925. Notes on Lamellibranchs in the Indian

Museum. Indian species of the genus Pisidium. Records of

the Indian Museum. 27. Part 5 : 405-422.

Prime, Temple. 1865. Monograph of American Corbieuladae.

Smith. Misc. Coll. 145.

Sterki, Victor. 1916. A Preliminary Catalogue of the North

American Sphaeriidae. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 10. No. 3&4.

16 : 429-474.

Woodward, B. B. 1913. Catalogue of the British species of

Pisidium. Coll. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.).

NOTES AND NEWS

The St. Petersburg Shell Show was held February 11 to

18, in the clubhouse of the Rod and Gun Club, on Lake Mag-

giore, southern St. Petersburg. The large room was crowded

with cases containing about forty exhibits of Floridan and

foreign shells. The Smithsonian Award, a handsome plate of

Amphidr omits suitably framed, was awarded to Mr. and Mrs.

Dan Steger of Tampa, for their fine collection of deep water

Gulf shells. About all the newly described species, as well as

many known only from the "Blake" and earlier explorations, are

represented in this scientifically valuable collection, which was

all dredged by the Stegers. Although impossible in our space

to mention the many meritorious exhibits, mention is made of

the largest series of a single family, Volutidae, by Frank G.

Lowerre, who also exhibited a very perfect specimen of the rare

Strombus goliath, from Brazil. Land shells were neglected,

the only exhibit being Ernest Klein's beautiful series of the

New Zealand genus Paryphanta.

The judges were Axel A. Olsson, Maxwell Smith and the

writer. Points used in judging were attractiveness of arrange-

ment, scientific or educational interest, accuracy of labelling and

apparent amount of work involved. — H. A. P.

Apr., 1954] THE NAUTILUS 139

Galeodes, Busycon and Melongena. — In the issue of the

Nautilus, vol. 67, no. 2, p. 63, 1953, W. K. Emerson has used the

family name of Galeodidae to include (cf. Thiele) the genera

Busycon and Melongena (Schumacher). However, this family

name is invalid as it is based upon Galeodes Roding 1798, non

Galeodes Olivier 1791 (Arachnida). The first available name

for Galeodes Roding is Melongena. Both Melongenidae and

Busyconidae have been used to include these genera, either

together or separately. If both genera are included in one

family, the name should stand as Melongenidae, replacing Galeo-

didae. There are many valid reasons, particularly on the basis

of the shell structure, why these two genera should remain in

separate families. — W. J. Clench.

Paramiella, new name for Paramia Clench (1949, Bull. 196,

B. P. Bishop Museum, p. 25) non Paramia Bleeker, 1863 (fish).

Mr. G. P. Whitley of the Australian Museum, Sydney, has

kindly called my attention to the fact that I had overlooked a

previous use of the name Paramia. My use of the name was for a

genus of cyclophorids limited to the islands of Truk in the Caro-

line Islands. — W. J. Clench.

New subgeneric names in Helicinidae. — Because the follow-

ing rather well marked groups of species have preoccupied

names, which many taxonomists would date from me since Wag-

ner probably used them simply as groups of the species named,

I perhaps shall be excused for the following replacements:

Calidviana, new name for Callida A. J. Wagner, 1908, Conch.

Cab. (2), lief. 530, p. 113, or H. B. Baker, 1922, Proc. Acad. Nat.

Sci. Philadelphia, v. 74, p. 60. Not Agassiz, 1846. Type Eu-

trochatella (Microviana?) calida = Helicina c. Weinland, 1862,

Malak. Bl., v. 9, p. 91, from Crooked Island, Bahamas.

Penisoltia, new name for Hispida A. J. W., 1907, op. cit., lief.

522, p. 54, or H. B. B., 1922, op. cit., p. 46. Not Bate, 1868.

Type Alcadia (s.s.) hispida = Helicina h. Pfeiffer, 1839, Wiegm.

Arch. Naturg. I, p. 355, from near Matanzas, Cuba.

Pseudoligyra, new name for Tenuis A. J. W., 1910, op. cit.,

lief. 544, p. 302, or H. B. B., 1922, op. cit., p. 50. Not Barrande,

1881. Type Helicina (Tristramia) tenuis Pfeiffer, 1849, Proc.

Zool. Soc. London, 1848, p. 124, from Mexico.

Weinlandella, new name for Mamilla A. J. W., 1907, op. cit.,

140 THE NAUTILUS [Vol. 67 (4)

lief. 522, p. 71, or H. B. B., 1922, op. cit., p. 47. Not Fabricius,

1823. Type Alcadia (Idesa) mammilla Weinland, 1862, Malak.

Bl., v. 9, p. 197, from the island of Haiti. — H. Burrington

Baker.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

Shell Album. By Helen S. O'Brien. 33 pp., 12 color post-

cards. O'Brien Color Studio, P.O. Box 1691, Fort Myers, Fla.

$1.75. 1953. — This loose leaf folder is the first of a series. It

includes beautiful color photographs of about 160 species, with

key outlines which refer to brief descriptions, and notes on col-

lection and preparation of shells. It should be very useful for

amateurs. — H. B. B.

Die Banderschnecken. By F. A. and Maria Schilder. 92

pp., 8 text-figs., 33 maps. Gustav Fischer, Jena. DM 20. 1953.

— This detailed study of variation in coloration, size, form and

shell-thickness of Cepaea hortensis and C. nemoralis from the

island of Hiddensee, Germany, is founded on 72,000 shells from

322 localities. The authors decide that a clear picture of the

variations and their relative abundance in each species would

require collection of at least 200 examples spread over about one

square block (1 hectare) during at least 2 or 3 successive years,

and repetitions of such sampling every ys mile (% km.) over

continuous ranges and also ecologically and zoogeographically

isolated areas. Since great differences appear even in neighbor-

ing colonies, the island population is not in balance, which

means Hardy's law can not be applied directly to such a natural

distribution. A similar study of the color-variants of Liguus

fasciatus might be very valuable, especially if it could (?) be

continued for a decade or more. — H. B. B.

Praktikum der Weichtierkunde. By S. H. Jaeckel. 87 pp.,

21 text-figs. Gustav Fischer, Jena. DM 5.20. 1953.— This little

manual gives keys to the major groups of Mollusca (down to

orders), directions for collection, preservation, preparation of

radulae, dissection and histologic studies, and includes a brief

glossary of common technical terms. It is written especially for

amateurs, but its author hopes, with good reason, that it also may

be useful to professional students. — H. B. B.

Vol. 67 JULY, 1953 No. 1

THE

NAUTILUS

A QUARTERLY

DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF CONCHOLOGISTS

EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS

Henry A. Pilsbry, Curator of the Department of Mollusca,

Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 3

H. Burrington Baker, Professor of Zoology,

University of Pennsylvania

[ - 1953

WOODS HOLE, MASS.

CONTENTS

Materials for a Revision of East Coast and Floridan

Volntes. By Henry A. Pilsbry and Axel A. Olsson . . 1

Mollusks from Kwajalein. By Richard V. Dietrich and

Percy A. Morris 13

Scalariform Anguispira and Triodopsis. By Alan Solem . . 18

Oreohelix in San Diego County, California. By Joshua L.

Baily, Jr 20

The Zonitidae of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. By Leslie

Hubricht 22

Fresh-water Mussels Used by Illinoian Indians of the Hope-

well Culture. By Max R. Matteson 25

The Mollusks Inhabiting some Temporary Pools and Ponds

in Illinois and Ohio. By Ralph W. Dexter 26

A Preliminary Survey of the Land Mollusks of Alachua

County, Florida. By Edward H. Michelson 33

Notes and News 36

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The Nautilus is the official organ of the American Malacological Union.

Information regarding membership in the Union may be obtained from Mrs.

Margaret C. Teskey, Financial Secretary, 144 Harlem Avenue, Buffalo

24, N. Y.

EXCHANGE NOTICES

Wanted: Back Volumes and Numbers of The Nautilus. Especially, vol. 3;

vol. 4, no. 1; vol. 6, no. 3; vol. 9, no. 1; vols. 17 to 24; vol. 25, no.

5; vols. 26, 27; vol. 52; vol. 53, nos. 2, 3; vols. 54 to 58; vol. 59, no.

1 ; vol. 60, no. 2. Some nos. of volumes listed are in stock, but others

are desired. Address Horace B. Baker, Univ. Penna. Zoo. Lab.,

Philadelphia 4.

Wanted : Preserved or living viviparid snails, in exchange for local Mollusca.

Glenn E. Webb, Ohio (P.O.), Illinois.

For Exchange: Fifteen varieties, Florida tree snails (Liguus) including

three of the rare L. solidus, to exchange for Achatinella, Amphidromus,

Bulimulus, Cochlostyla, Orthalicus, Porphyrobaphe and Placostylus.

Send your list to Paul P. McGinty, Boynton, Florida.

For Exchange: Native material for live land Mollusca, especially Cepaea

nemoralis, Otala species, and Helix aspersa.

Glenn B. Webb, 5348 Ohmer Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana.

THE NAUTILUS 111

Wanted: Exchange of books and pamphlets on malacology. New long list

ready. Ask for it, and send yours.

Dr. F. Haas, Curator of Lower Invertebrates, Field Museum of

Natural History, Chicago 5, Illinois.

Fob Exchange: Bookbinding and book repair done — The Nautilus,

Johnsonia, etc. — for duplicate sheila or molluscan literature.

Dr. Walter H. Jacobs, 124 West 93rd Street, New York 25, N. Y.

Wanted: Pectens (world-wide). Exchange or purchase. Can offer good

marine specimens, many genera, with data.

Gilbert Grau, 2457 Claremont Ave., Hollywood 27, Calif.

For Exchange : Sixty species of Cypraea, including rare local varieties, from

Eed Sea and Indian Ocean.

Darrell Bates, Secretariat, Hargeisa, Somaliland Protectorate.

For Exchange: Fine specimen shells, world wide.

Nick Katsaras, 479-B South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N. J.

Preparing new world-wide list of shell collectors. Send your name and

interests. No obligation for registering.

John Q. Burch, 1584 West Vernon Ave., Los Angeles 62, Calif.

New England Coast Shells for sale or exchange. List sent on request.

List of foreign shells for sale on request.

Mrs. F. K. Hadley, Box 33, West Newton, Mass.

Specimen Shells and books or papers relating to them bought, sold and

exchanged.

John Q. Burch, 1584 West Vernon Ave., Loa Angeles 37, Calif.

Translations of German, French and Spanish shell literature done in ex-

change for shells, shell literature, duplicates or money.

Morris K. Jacobson, 455 B. 139 St., Rockaway Beach, New York.

IV THE NAUTILUS

TRITON HELMET AND HARP SHELLS $5.00

EAST COAST MARINE SHELLS (Fourth revised edition) . . . 6.00

WORLD-WIDE SEA SHELLS 4.50

A REVIEW OF THE VOLUTIDAE 6.00

All post-paid In V. S. A.

Address author:

MAXWELL SMITH,

Box 126, Windermere, Florida

SOUTH SEA SHELLS

A large collection of South Sea and other shells including also fresh

water shells, many of them from the W. D. Hartman collection, collected

by Andrew Garrett, is offered for sale.

It is fine material but not adaptable to Secondary School work, and oc-

cupying space needed for local material. Address

Prof. Fred Swan, Westtown School, Westtown, Penna.

INDEX TO THE NAUTILUS

Volumes 35-60

Compiled by Aurele La Kocque

The index to The Nautilus for volumes 35 through 60 is now available

for distribution. Copies may be procured from the University or

Michigan Press, 311 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The book

is made up in the same format as the First Index, is cloth bound and

divided into two sections, an author index and an index to genera and

species.

Pages: 322, frontispiece Price: $5.00

MBL WHOI LIBRARY

UH 17XH