jftbrarg of % Hlttsntm
The Nautilus.
Vol. viii. MAY, 1894. No. 1
LIST OF SHELLS COLLECTED IN JAMAICA.
BY J. B. HENDERSON, JR.
First paper : Glandinidce, Zonitidce, Helicidce.
The following is a list of a collection made by Mr. Charles T.
Simpson and myself in Jamaica, during the months of December
and January (in part) last. We were upon the island about one
month and although we devoted ourselves assiduously to hunting
snails, yet so much time was spent in getting about from place to
place, and otherwise lost, that our collecting appears, after all, to
have been very superficial— a mere hasty gathering of what pre¬
sented itself along the roadside.
I have attempted, as far as possible, to be “ up to date ” in the
nomenclature. Mr. Simpson cheerfully assumed the heavy task of
identifying the material, for which I am very much indebted to him.
To Mr. Vendryes I wish to extend my thanks for courtesies shown
us by him in Kingston.
1. Glandina nitidiuscula C. 13. A. Bog Walk.
2. Glandina unicolor C. B. A. Montego Bay ; Bog Walk.
3. Glandina propinqua C. B. A. W. of Oclio Rios ; Mandeville;
Spurtree Hill ; Port Antonio.
4. Glandina perplexa C. B. A. Montego Bay ; St. Anns ; Stony
Hill.
5. Glandina griffithi C. B. A. Bog Walk.
6. Glandina similis C. B. A. Gallina Point; Bog Walk ; Port
Antonio ; Mt. Pleasant ; Hope River ; Oclio Rios ; Mandeville.
7. Glandina ligata C. B. A. Mandeville.
8. Glandina venusta Pfr. Hope River.
2
THE NAUTILUS.
9. Glandina nemorensis C. B. A. Ho]ie Bay.
10. Glandina elegans C. B. A. (Bought).
11. Glandina philippiana Pfr. Bog Walk.
12. Glandina arcuata Pfr. Montego Bay.
13. Glandina costulata C. B. A. West of Port Antonio.
14. Glandina proxiina C. B. A. Bog Walk.
15. Glandina gracilior C. B. A. Mandeville ; Bog Walk.
16. Guppya epistylium C. B. A. Mandeville.
17. Zonites (Stenopus ?) sirnulans C. B. A. West of Port Antonio.
(This seems, from the characters of the shell, to be a Stenopus).
18. Sagda foremaniana C. B. A. Bought.
19. Sagda cookiana C. B. A. Bog Walk ; Stony Hill ; Mande¬
ville.
20. Sagda spiculosa Shuttl. St. Anns Bay ; Ocho Rios ; Gal-
lina Point ; Bluefields ; Buff Bay ; Sav. la Mar.
21. Sagda connectens C. B. A Near Bluefields.
22. Sagda epistylium Mull. Mandeville; Montego Bay ; Sav. la
Mar.
23. Sagda alveare Pfr. Bog Walk ; Stony Hill.
24. Sagda maxima n. s. Eight miles north of Sav. la Mar.
25. Sagda jayana C. B. A. Bog Walk.
26. Sagda alligans C. B. A. Near Sav. la Mar.
27. Sagda epistyloides Fer. Mandeville.
28. Sagda (Hyalosagda) osculans C. B. A. Montego Bay.
!29. Sagda (Hyalosagda) osculans var. delaminata C. B. A. (?)
Hope River.
30. Sagda (Hyalosagda) arboreoides C. B. A. Bog Walk ; Buff
Bay; Pt. Maria; Hope River ; Stony Hill; Petersfield ; Spurtree
Hill; Mandeville; Pt. Morant; Bowden; St. Anns; Port Antonio.
31. Sagda (Hyalosagda) hollandi C. B. A. St. Anus; Port An¬
tonio ; Ocho Rios ; Bowden; Buff Bay; Montego Bay ; Mande¬
ville ; Gallina Point.
The Sagdas are very variable in size, form and development of
internal laminae, and appear often to blend one into another.
32. Thysanophora spreta C. B. A. Pt. Antonio. (Microphysa
[[preoccupied] =Thysanophora).
33. Thysanophora brevior C. B. A. Gallina Pt. ; W. of Pt. An¬
tonia.
34. Thysanophora apex C. B. A. Montego Bay.
35. Thysanophora fuscula C. B. A. Bog Walk.
THE
NAUTILUS.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF
CONCHOLOGISTS.
VOL. VIII.
MAY, 1894, to APRIL, 1895.
PHILADELPHIA :
Published by H. A. PILSBRY and C. W. JOHNSON.
INDEX
TO
THE NAUTILUS, VOL.VIII.
INDEX TO TITLES AND SPECIES DESCRIBED.
Acmaea cantharus Reeve . 127
Acmaea parva Angas var. tasmanica Pilsbi-y, n. var. . 128
Agrioliraax campestris in New Mexico .... 57
Amuicola olivacea Pilsbry, n. sp . 115, 95
Anodonta dejecta, rediscovered types of ... 52
Argonauta argo on the East Florida coast ... 83
Buccinum undatum ........ 78
Bulimus oblongus in St. Kitts ...... 35
Bulimulus (Naesiotus) Reibischii Dali, n. sp. . . . 126
Bulimulus (Naesiotus) Fanneri (=Tanneri) Dali, n. sp. 127
Carychium, the American species of. (Illustrated) . . 61
Carychium exiguum var. mexicana Pilsbry ... 63
Carychium occidentalis Pilsbry ..... 63
Carychium exile var. jamaicensis Pilsbry . . . 63
Catalogue of the shells of Long Island, N. Y. . . . 69
Chicago Academy of Sciences, a glance at the (Illustrated). 109
Chitons, descriptive notices of new ..... 8, 53
Chiton Hartwegii and its allies ..... 45
Chiton (canaliculatus var. ?) tricostalis Pilsbry, n. sp. . 54
Chiton aereus var. callizona Pilsbry, n. var. . . . 55
Chiton marmoreus ........ 78
Chiton from California, a neAV ..... 90
Clausilia (Stereophaedusa) stearnsii Pilsbry, n. sp. . . 47
Cyrena luchuana Pilsbry, n. sp. ..... 30
Cyrena (papua var.?) yaeyamensis Pilsbry, n. sp. . . 30
Cyrena fissidens Pilsbry, n. sp . 30
Darina Gray ......... 42
(iii)
IV'
THE NAUTILUS.
Darina declivis Cpr. ....... 43
Dead snails ......... 106
Doridium from Puget Sound, description of a new species
of (D. adellse Dali) ...... 73
Eastport notes ......... 78
Editorial correspondence from Alabama . . . . 74
Epipliragmophora ellipsostoma Pilsbry, n. sp. . . 81
Eerussacia sublindrica and two new species in Jackson Co.,
Ala . 104
Garlick, Mrs. D. L. (Obituary) ..... 12
Gastrodonta (Pseudohyalina) lateumbilicata Pilsbry, n. sp. 102, 105
Gnathodon Gray ........ 27, 41
Greegor, Isaiah (Obituary) . . . . i 56
Habits of Florida littoral Mollusks ...... 79
Haminea virescens. (PI. II, fig. 15) .... 100
Helices carried by birds ....... 72
Helices, the rate of growth of ..... 82
Helices, new forms of western ..... 81
Helcioniscus nigrisquamatus Reeve, note on . . 66, 91, 118
Helix (Euhadra) yaeyamensis Pilsbry, n. sp. . . . 10
Helix nemoralis, the Virginia colony of ... 92
Helix appressa, a few notes on ..... 14
Helix (Arionta) coloradoensis, a new locality ... 29
Helix tridentata, a few notes on ..... 43
Helix gossei Pfr. . . . . . . . . 5, 71
Helix Sauliae Pfr. (non Reeve)— palumba Sowerbie . 125
Holospira pasonis Dali, n. sp. . . . . . . 112
Isaac Lea Chapter, Agassiz Association .... 10
Ischnochiton elizabethensis Pilsbry, n. sp. . 9
Ischnochiton ptychius Pilsbry, n. sp. ..... 53
Ischnochiton (Haploplax) mayi Pilsbry, n. sp. . . 128
Jamaican species of Veronicella ..... 60
Japanese mollusks, notices of new .... 9,16,29,47
Labiosa .......... 27, 41
Lepidopleurus percrassa Dali, n. sp. . . . . . 90
Liparus, Note on ....... 35
List of shells collected in Jamaica .... 1,19,31
List of shells from the vicinity of Mingusville, Mont. . 63
Long Beach (California) Conchological Club ... 95
Macroschisma Lischkei Pilsbry, n. sp. .... 29
THE NAUTILUS. V
Mactridae of North America, synopsis of the . . . 25, 39
Mactra Richmondi Dali, n. sp. . . . . . . 26, 28
Mactrella (Harvella) elegans Sowb. .... 28
Mactrella subalata Morch. ...... 42
Margarita undulata ........ 78
Melongena corona ........ 11
Megatebennus bimaculatus . . . . . . 112
Mollusca of the Paris Mains ...... 59
Mollusks of Allegheny Co., Pa. . . . . . 116
Mollusk fauna of Philadelphia and environs . . . 133
Mulinia from the Pacific Coast . . . . .5,41
Mulinia Gray ......... 27
Mulinia gabbi Tryon . . . . . . 4, 42
Mulinia modesta Dali, n. sp. (PI. I). 5, 41
Mulinia coloradoensis Dali, n. sp. (PI. I). . . 6, 41
Mulinia coloradoensis var. acuta Dali, n. var. (PI. 1). . 6, 41
Mulinia Bradley Dali, n. sp. (PI. I). 6, 41
My daily walk ......... 33
Navanax n. gen. (Navarchus being preoccupied) . . 131
New American freshwater shells ..... 114
New method of preventing cracking of Anodons . . 57
New species of land shells from the Galapagos Islands . 126
New publications . . . 28, 83, 96, 107, 119, 131, 144
New species of land shells from Puget Sound . . . 129
Notes and news 12, 24, 35, 48, 57, 71, 82, 95, 106, 118, 130, 143
Notes on the reported extinction of the genus Achatinella
and marvelous development of a Florida Faseiolaria. 123
Olivella, a new variety of (O. gracilis var. Gay lordi Ford).
(PI. II) . 103
Orthalicus of Florida ....... 37, 57
Patulastra? (Punctum?) pugeteusis Dali, n. sp. . . 130
Perostylus, a new genus of Fusoid gastropod ... 17
Perostylus Brazieri Tryon ....... 17
Perostylus Fordianus Pilsbry ...... 18
Perostylus the embryo of Megalatractus .... 67
Pisidia, two new (Pisidium cruciatum Sterki ; P. punctatum
Sterki). (PI. II) . 97, 99
Pisidia, on collecting . . . ... . . 113
Planorbis alabamensis Pilsbry, n. sp. . . . . 114
Planorbis bicarinatus aroostookensis Pilsbry, n. var. . . 115
VI
THE NAUTILUS.
Plaxiphora Suteri Pilsbry, n. sp. 8
Pleurocera alveare Conrad, variations of ... 82
Polygyra hirsuta, variations due to station in . 24
Polygyra hirsuta on Long Island . . . . . 75
Potamanax, note on . . . . . . . . 131
Pupa syngensis from Montana ..... 35
Purpura saxicola Val. ....... 12
Pyramidula ? Randolphii Dali, n. sp. .... 130
Rafinesque, the life and writings of . . . . . 119
Rangia the proper name of the Mactoid genus Gnathodon. 102
Remarks on the status of species and subspecies . 49
Shell hunt forty feet under the sea . 85
Shells of Aroostook Co., Maine ...... 125
Siphonaria sirius Pilsbry, n. sp. ..... 8
Siphonaria acmaeoides Pilsbry, n. sp. . . . . 16
Siphonalia Stearnsii Pilsbry, n. sp. . . . . . 31
Somatogyrus Sargenti Pilsbry, n. sp. ... 102, 105
Some Arkansas snails ....... 36
Southern shells in Missouri . . . . . . 18
Spirula peroni in Jamaica ...... 36
Spisula Gray ......... 40
Spisula subtruncata ....... 28
Tasmanian Acmsea and Ischnochiton, note on . . . 127
Trachydermon (Cyanoplax) Raymondi Pilsbry, n. sp. . 46
Trachydermon (Cyanoplax) Raymondi in British Columbia. 27
Unio ellipsis in the Tennessee River ..... 82
Unio oregonensis Lea, note on . . . . . 116, 130
Unio ochraceus and cariosus. (Illustrated). . . 121, 143
Urosalpinx cinereus in San Francisco Bay ... 13
Veronicella found in Central America, note on the species of 140
Veronicella sp. nov. vel. mexicana var. .... 142
Veronicella sp. nov. vel puntatissima var. .... 143
Vertigo morsei Sterki, n. sp. ..... 89
Vivipara georgiana limnothauma Pilsbry, n. var. . . 116
Zonites cellarius in Western Pennsylvania ... 82
INDEX TO CONTRIBUTORS
(vii)
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.)
lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
*H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia .
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. MAY, 1894. No. 1.
CONTENTS :
PACK.
List of Shells Collected in Jamaica. By J. B. Henderson, Jr. . . 1
On Some Species of Mulinia from the Pacific Coast. (Illustrated.)
By W. H. Dali. 5
Triodopsis -f- Mesodon. — Distribution, Etc. By Robert E. C. Stearns. 6
Descriptive Notices of New Chitons — IV. By H. A. Pilsbry. . . 8
Notices of New Japanese Mollusks, II. By H. A. Pilsbry. . . 9
Isaac Lea Chapter, Agassiz Association. By Dr. M. L. Leach. . . 10
Mei.ongena corona Gmel. By Frank A. While . 11
Notes and News . 12
Obituary . 12
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
THE NAUTILUS.
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Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
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The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
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limit of space will allotv.
9
THE NAUTILUS.
9. Glandina nemorensis C. B. A. Hope Bay.
10. Glandina elegans C. B. A. (Bought).
11. Glandina pliilippiana Pfr. Bog Walk.
12. Glandina arcuata Pfr. Montego Bay.
13. Glandina costulata C. B. A. West ol Port Antonio.
14. Glandina proxiina C. B. A. Bog Walk.
15. Glandina gracilior C. B. A. Mandeville ; Bog Walk.
16. Guppya epistylium C. B. A. Mandeville.
17. Zonites (Stenopus ?) sirnulans C. B. A. West of Port Antonio.
/This seems, from the characters of the shell, to be a Stenopus).
18. Sagda foremaniana C. B. A. Bought.
19. Sagda cookiana C. B. A. Bog Walk ; Stony Hill ; Mande¬
ville.
20. Sagda spiculosa Shuttl. St. Anns Bay ; Ocho Rios ; Gai-
lina Point ; Bluefields ; Buff Bay ; Sav. la Mar.
21. Sagda connectens C. B. A Is ear Bluefields.
22. Sagda epistylium Mull. Mandeville; Montego Bay ; Sav. la
Mar.
23. Sagda alveare Pfr. Bog Walk ; Stony Hill.
24. Sagda maxima n. s. Eight miles north of Sav. la Mar.
25. Sagda jayana C. B. A. Bog M alk.
26. Sagda alligans C. B. A. Near Sav. la Mar.
27. Sagda epistyloides Fer. Mandeville.
28. Sagda (Hyalosagda) osculans C. B. A. Montego Bay.
29. Sagda (Hyalosagda) osculans var. delaminata C. B. A
Elope River
(?)
30 Sa<nla (Hyalosagda) arboreoides C. B. A. Bog Walk ; Buff
Bay’ Pt° Maria ; Hope River ; Stony Hill ; Petersfield ; Spurtree
Hill: Mandeville ; Pt.Morant; Bowden; St. Anns; Port Antonio.
Sao-da (Hyalosagda) hollandi C. B. A. St. Anns ; Port An-
OchoRios; Bowden; Buff Bay; Montego Bay ; Mande-
ne ; Gallina Point. c
The Sagdas are very variable in size, form and development of
internal lamime, and appear often to blend one into another.
32. Thysanophora spreta C. B. A. Pt. Antonio. (Microphysa
f nreoccupiedl =Thysanophora). .
33. Thysanophora brevior C. B. A. Gallina Pt. ; W • of Pt. An-
31.
tonio
ville
toma.
34. Thysanophora apex C. B. A. Montego Bay.
35. Thysanophora fuscula C. B. A. Bog A alk.
I'he Nautilus.
Vox.. VIII. MAY, 1894. No. 1
LIST OF SHELLS COLLECTED IN JAMAICA.
BY J. B. HENDERSON, JR.
First paper : Glandinidce, Zonitichr, Helicidce.
The following is a list of a collection made by Mr. Charles T.
Simpson and myself in Jamaica, during the months of December
and January (in part) last. We were upon the island about one-
month and although we devoted ourselves assiduously to hunting,
snails, yet so much time was spent in getting about from place to>
place, and otherwise lost, that our collecting appears, after all, to
have been very superficial— a mere hasty gathering of what pre¬
sented itself along the roadside.
I have attempted, as far as possible, to be “up to date” in the
nomenclature. Mr. Simpson cheerfully assumed the heavy task of
identifying the material, for which I am very much indebted to him.
To Mr. \ endryes I wish to extend my thanks for courtesies shown
us by him in Kingston.
1. Glandina nitidiuscula C. B. A. Bog Walk.
2. Glandina unicolor C. B. A. Montego Bay ; Bog Walk.
3. Glandina propinqua C. B. A. W. of Oclio Rios ; Mandeville ;
Spurtree Hill ; Port Antonio.
4. Glandina perplexa C. B. A. Montego Bay ; St. Anns ; Stony
Hill.
5. Glandina griffithi C. B. A. Bog Walk.
6. Glandina similis C. B. A. Gallina Point; Bog Walk ; Port
Antonio; Mt. Pleasant; Hope River ; Oclio Rios; Mandeville.
7. Glandina ligata C. B. A. Mandeville.
8. Glandina venusta Pfr. Hope River.
NAUTILUS, VOL. VIII
PLATE I.
Dall — West American Mactridae
TIIE NAUTILUS.
3
36. Thysanophora diminuata C. B. A. Montego Bay ; Mande-
ville ; Long Mt. ; Little River ; Falmouth ; Ramble (Hanover) ;
Pt. Antonio ; Bowden; Cave and ledge near St. Anns; Gallina
Point ; Pt. Antonio.
37. Thysanophora boothiana Pfr. Bluefields ; Petersfield ; Man-
deville ; Black River; St. Anns ; Mt. Pleasant. (T. authoniana
C. B. A. seems to be only a slightly larger and solider form of this)-
38. Thysanophora sincera C. B. A. Port Antonio ; St. Anns
Bay ; Ramble ; Gallina Point ; Montego Bay ; W. of Pt. Antonio-
(Seems only to be a less strongly ribbed var. of T. diminuata).
39. Thysanophora peraffinis C. B. A. Cave St. Anns ; Duncan ;
Rio Novo; Petersfield; Buff' Bay ; Hope River; Pt. Antonio ;
Ramble; Bog Walk; Falmouth; Montego Bay; Bluefields;
Bowden ; Little River ; Gallina Point ; Ocho Rios ; Spurtree Hill ;
Mt. Pleasant.
40. Thysanophora perdepressa C. B. A. Long Mt. ; West of Pt.
Antonio.
41. Thysanophora turbiniformis Pfr. Hope Bay ; Gallina
Point ; Bog Walk ; Bowden ; Mandeville ; Mt. Pleasant ; Pt. An¬
tonio ; Duncans ; Rio Novo ; Spurtree Hill ; Buff Bay ; St. Anns ;
Ocho Rios ; Falmouth. (Quite variable. The var. from Spurtree
Hill much elevated. Those from Falmouth, Ocho Rios, St. Anns,
and Rio Novo greatly depressed).
42. Thysanophora ptychodes Pfr. Mandeville ; Bog Walk.
43. Thysanophora immunda C. B. A. Bluefields ; Stony Hill ;
Bog Walk. (T. ptychodes, according to Adam’s shells in the Natl.
Museum, is considerably more depressed and sharper keeled than
this species. All our material, however, of both forms is intermedi¬
ate in form and it is probable that the two run together).
44. Zaphysema macmurrayi C. B. A. Mandeville ; Petersfield
(dead).
45. Zaphysema tunicata C. B. A. Bought.
46. Zaphysema tenerrima C. B. A. Bog Walk.
47. Zaphysema columellata C. B. A. Beach, Morant Bay ; S. of
Montego Bay. ( Zaphysema is a generic name applied by Pilsbry
to the Jamaican forms hitherto included in Cysticopsis).
48. Helix (Pleurodonte) bainbridgei Pfr. Bought. ( Lucerna is
now included inde Waldheim’s Pleurodonte. See Man. Conch., (2),
Vol. IX, p. 80).
49. Helix (Pleurodonte) lucerna Mull. St. Anns ; Morant Bay :
Yallaho R,
4
THE NAUTILUS.
50. Helix (Pleurodonte) lucerna v. julia Fer. Cave, St. Anns.
51. Helix (Pleurodonte) lucerna v. fuscolabris C. B. A. Little
Biver.
52. Helix (Pleurodonte) acuta Lam. (small var.). Mandeville;
Bog Walk.
54. Helix (Pleurodonte) acuta v. nobilis C. B. A. Stony Hill.
54. Helix (Pleurodonte) acuta v. nannodonta Brown. Mt.
Pleasant.
54a. Helix (Pleurodonte) acuta v. albino. Sav. la Mar.
55. Helix (Pleurodonte) acuta v. lamarcki Fer. Bluefields ; Bog
Walk.
56. Helix (Pleurodonte) peracutissima C. B. A. Mandeville
(fine living spec.) ; Petersfield ; Spurtree Hill (dead).
57. Helix (Pleurodonte) sloaneana Shuttl. Montego Bay. ( Helix
vendryesiana of Cockerell, specimens of which were sent to the Natl.
Museum by the author from this localitiy, seems to be identical
with this).
58. Helix (Pleurodonte) scliroeteriaua Pfr. Petersfield ; Mt.
Pleasant.
59. Helix (Pleurodonte) tridentina Fer. Sav. la Mar. (Seems
to connect with last).
60. Helix (Pleurodonte) invalida C. B. A. Stony Hill.
61. Helix (Pleurodonte) bronni Pfr. St. Anns Bay.
62. Helix (Pleurodonte) sinuata Mull. Mandeville.
63. Helix (Pleurodonta) consanguinea C. B. A. Bog Walk.
64. Helix (Pleurodonte) sinuosa Fer. Bog Walk.
65. Helix (Pleurodonte) picturata C. B. A. Sav. la Mar.
66. Helix (Pleurodonte) anomala Pfr. Bought.
67. Helix (Thelidomus) aspera Fer. Mandeville ; Rio Bueno ;
Spurtree Hill ; Mt. Pleasant; Petersfield; Bog Walk ; Montego
Bay.
68. Helix (Eurycratera) jamaicensis Gmel. Cave St. Anns ;
Bluefields; Bog Walk; Mandeville.
69. Helix (Thelidomus) jamaicensis v. cornea Simpson. Man¬
deville. (A var. without any coloring whatever, and with a corne¬
ous epidermis).
70. Helix (Hemitroclius) graminicola C. B. A. Bog Walk ;
Spurtree Hill ; Long Mt. ; Stony Hill ; Mandeville.
71. Helix (Dialeuca) conspersula Pfr. Sav. la Mar, on logwood
trees.
THE NAUTILUS.
5
The Dialeucas are very variable and puzzling and none of the
specimens collected exactly agree with any figures or descriptions
known to the writer.
72. Helix (Dialeuca) conspersula v. platystyla Pfr. Sav. la
Mar (on trees).
73. Helix (Dialeuca) conspersula v. virginea C. B. A. Mt.
Pleasant (on trees).
74. Helix (Dialeuca) subconica C. B. A. Mandeville : Stony
Hill.
75. Helix (Dialeuca) fuscocincta C. B. A. Bought.
76. Helix (Dialeuca) nemoraloides. C. B A. (?) Bog Walk.
77. Helix (Dialeuca) blandiana C. B. A. Buff Bay ; Pt. An¬
tonio.
78. Helix (Dialeuca) gossei Pfr. Hope River. (Pilsbry and
others unite this with H. subconica C. B. A. There is a shell of the
above and specimens of Adam’s species in the Natl. Museum which
were labelled and sent by Adams to Dr. Lea. H. conica is a thin
shell, much more depressed and with straighter spire than this spe¬
cies ; the last whorl is scarcely descending anteriorly, while in this
species it is abrupt and strongly deflected. In H. gossei the outer
lip is thickened and reflected, the columella is quite strong and
broad. If it were found in Cuba it would be called a Coryda, and
is suggestive of an elevated Helix alauda).
( To be concluded in June number .)
ON SOME SPECIES OF MTJLINIA FROM THE PACIFIC COAST.
BY W. H. DALL.
Mulinia modesta, n. s. (Plate I, lower fig.).
Shell rather small, ovate-triangular, thick, equilateral, covered
with a lineated straw colored thin epidermis, ivory white with a few
rusty flecks toward the umbones; surface smooth except for incre¬
mental lines ; anterior dorsal area obscure, posterior larger, bor¬
dered by a hardly angulated ridge on which the epidermis forms a
raised line, but without any marginal flexure behind the basal ter¬
mination of this ridge; anterior end evenly rounded, beaks promi¬
nent, pointed rather distant, pallial sinus well marked. Lon. 42.0
alt. 31.0, diam. 24.0 mm.
Habitat, Guaymas, Sloat, in U. S. Nat. Mus.
6
THE NAUTILUS.
This differs in its proportions from M. earinulata Desh. to which
Carpenter referred it. The latter is with little doubt merely a
young specimen of M. pallida Sbv. the M. donaciformis of Gray,
better known as angulata Gray. It is a thinner shell with a sharp
keel terminating in a somewhat recurved acute point, and having
the beaks more anterior than M. modesta. The beaks are decidedly
more distant in the lattei\
Mulinia coloradoensis, n. s. (Plate I, upper fig.).
Shell larger, solid, rude, equilateral, resembling M. modesta, but
having the posterior dorsal margin more arched, the base behind
the posterior dorsal angle, somewhat concavely flexuous, and the
surface anteriorly and on the dorsal area marked with obsolete,
little elevated radii. Lon. of a medium sized specimen 49, alt. 36.5,
diam. 32 mm.
Habitat, Head of the Gulf of California in the estuary of the Col¬
orado River, abundant; Dr. E. Palmer.
M. coloradoensis var. acuta, n. s. (Plate I. left fig.).
Shell thinner, longer, and more flexuous posteriorly. Lon. 40,
alt. 29 mm.
Habitat, with the typical form, common.
Mulinia Bradleyi, n. s. (Plate I, right fig.).
Shell resembling a miniature M. donaciformis but more com¬
pressed, shorter, the beaks smaller and less prominent, the posterior
dorsal margin much more arched, no basal flexuosity, the pallial
sinus longer and more rounded internally, and the epidermis ele¬
vated into narrow fringes, more or less regularly spaced. Lon. 32,
alt. 26, diam. 15 mm.
Habitat, Panama; Bradley, in U. S. Nat. Museum.
TRIODOPSIS + MESODON. — DISTRIBUTION, ETC.
BY ROBERT E. C. STEARNS.
In the last number of the Manual (Pulmonata Series), Mr. Pils-
bry very properly unites Triodopsis and Mesodon ; both of these are
Rafinesqne’s names; in order of date, the former has priority, there¬
fore Mesodon must take a back seat. As to the propriety of these
names, neither is satisfactory. Triodopsis the name that must stand
for the reason above given, priority, conveys a false idea, for as
Mr. Pilsbry says, in the remarks1 that precede his list:
Manual of Conehology, pt. 34, pp. 74-76.
THE NAUTILUS.
7
“The species enumerated below have been divided by authors
into two sections, Triodopsis and Mesodon, but such division seems
to be artificial. Some species of Triodopsis are known to have
varieties lacking lip teeth, and these would technically fall into
Mesodon.
“ In other cases, such as the group of Idaho and Washington spe¬
cies, all the transitions from tridentate to toothless apertures occur.
The group of P. appressa is also a transition group. Tryon has
resuscitated the section names Xolotrema and Ulostoma. The first
of these is a Rafinesquian name totally unidentifiable; the second
was proposed by Albers for species of Polygyra ss. and Triodopsis ss.,
and did not include either of the forms Tryon uses the name for!
Aplodon Raf. has also been used in this connection ; it is positively
unidentifiable.” Whoever has had occasion to review the points
referred to by Mr. Pilsbry, cannot fail to indorse his conclusions.
Triodopsis as a name is as unsatisfactory as Mesodon ; but there it
is, and it will have to stick. Xolotrema and Ulostoma must be con¬
signed to the waste basket ; fortunately they are book names rather
than names in practical use.
Touching the matter of distribution in connection with the fore¬
going, the farthest outpost of Triodopsis -f Mesodon in the Southwest
is that occupied by T. levettei at Fort Huachuca and Tucson, Ari¬
zona, about on the line 32° N. latitude and 111° longitude W.
While Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the type described by Bland
was collected, is considerably further to the north and east. At the
first named place the three genera, Arionta, Patula and Triodopsis
occur in close geographical proximity, but there are wide gaps
between these localities and the west coast, and between the same
localities and the nearest eastern localities of Triodoj)sis-\- Mesodon.
So the more northerly line of distribution of Triodopsis Mesodon is
interrupted or discontinuous as I have pointed out elsewhere,2 along
the line as we proceed eastward from the Pacific Coast through the
states adjoining the southerly boundary line of the Dominion of
Canada, i. e. Washington, northern Idaho and Montana (according
to Binney) ; then comes the gap between western Montana and the
eastward.
Within the States above named wTe find Triodop>sis-\~ Mes°d°n>
Patula and Arionta in geographical proximity as in the southerly
region previously named. We find the Triodopsisp Mesodon
2Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Yol. XYI, pp. 749 — 50.
8
THE NAUTILUS.
characters shading into each other in both regions though perhaps
less frequently in the Atlantic Appalachian region, so that they
appear to be in no way related to geographical or environmental
differences or influences. Size, elevation or depression, color,
sculpture, etc., are exhibited as might be supposed, in many and
various facies, but the denticulation of the marginal lip of the
aperture, or the presence of a tubercular callus or tooth on the
parietal wall, or a tuberculoid lump or thickening at the base of the
pillar, all of these last characters are inconstant and variable and
are often present or absent in examples that are found in the same
colony, at many if not all places, within the territory inhabited by
the species of Triodopsis-^- Mesodon group.
In Triodopsis levettei from Arizona and New Mexico, as well as
in T. devia-\-Mullani from the northerly region before indicated,
“ we find all the transitions from tridentate to toothless apertures
occur.” A comparison between 40 and 50 examples from Cceur
d’Alene, Idaho, in addition to those previously contained in the
National collection, indicate that Milliard is but a variety of devia
as Mr. Binney has placed it3 ; and to quote Mr. Binney’s remarks:
“ The variations of this species show very markedly the unsatisfac¬
tory character of our so-called genera. Here we have the typical
devia as a Mesodon, though the variety is a true Triodopsis.”
DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF NEW CHITONS— IV.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
Plaxiphora Suteri, n. sp.
Shell resembling P. biramosa Q. and P. superba Cpr. ; but girdle
all over sparcely hairy, without the least indication of p ores or sutural
bristles. Valves smooth, with slight growth-wrinkles, the diagonal
rib but slightly indicated. Bidge with a chestnut band with a stripe
of green on each side of it, the pleura and lateral areas uniform
blackish olive. Girdle blackish with chestnut hairs. Interior blue,
fading to white on the sutural-plates. Length about 45, breadth
about 25 mm.; (specimens all curled and contracted).
Timaru, Sumner and Port Lyttelton, S. Island, N. Z. ; (H. Suter).
A young specimen has the earlier formed portion of each valve
light brown, spotted with white. This is probably the normal color¬
ing of the young shells.
3Manual Am. Land Shells, p. 119.
THE NAUTILUS.
9
Ischnochiton elizabethensis, n. sp.
Shell small, elliptical-oblong, elevated at an angle of about 105° ;
carinated, the side-slopes somewhat convex. Color whitish or buflf-
ish-olive, finely and closely mottled all over with light olive-green,
or having angular patches of olive at the sides of each valve ; some¬
times with black-green triangles on the ridge of some valves (valves
ii, iv, vii, viii) ; the posterior margins of valves more or less tessel¬
lated light and dark. Girdle indistinctly tessellated with numerous
small green bars or patches.
Intermediate valves not beaked. Valves finely granulated
throughout, the sculpture closely resembling that of Trachydermon
cinereus L. Lateral areas slightly raised. Posterior valve having
the central muero somewhat prominent, posterior slope concave.
Interior bluish, with a pair of darker green rays in each inter¬
mediate valve; the inflected posterior margin tessellated. Sutural
plates small, separated by a very wide, straight, smooth sinus. An¬
terior valve having 10, intermediate valves 1-1, posterior valve 11
slits; teeth smooth and sharp; slit-rays showing as whitish lines ;
posterior tooth in intermediate valves short, removed from the pos¬
terior margin of valve by about its own length. Eaves narrow.
Girdle densely clothed with smooth, flattened imbricating scales.
Length 101, breadth 7 mm.
Habitat: Port Elizabeth, S. Africa.
This little species closely resembles Trachydermon cinereus L.
( marginatus auct.), or dentiens Gld., in sculpture and coloration,
but differs from them in the totally diverse girdle-covering. I am
indebted to Mr. G. B. Sowerby for specimens. It is the Ch. mar¬
ginatus of his useful “ Marine Shells of S. Africa,” p. 50.
NOTICES OF NEW JAPANESE MOLLUSKS, II.
BY H. A. riLSBRY.
Siphonaria sirius n. sp.
Shell oblong, polygonal, low-conical with subcentral, erect, apex ;
primary ribs all single, generally 7, strongly elevated and white ; inter¬
spaces wide, dark brown, radially finely ribbed. Interior brown-
black, the larger ribs indicated by white rays; Siphon occupying a
single rib, never a double one. Cavity with a white callus (rarely
10
THE NAUTILUS.
chestnut colored), the region of the muscle-impression bordered with
chestnut stains. Length 22, breadth 17-19, alt. 5 mm.
Sagami, and Kashiurazaki, Boshiu, Japan (Frederick Stearns!)
This species differs from S. citra Q. & G., coreensis A. & R., and
their allies in having the siphonal rib single and simple. It is
probably the species identified as S. atra by Dunker and other
writers on Japanese shells. Several hundred specimens collected
by Mr. Stearns agree in the characters above given. Not one shows
any tendency to double the siphonal rib.
Helix (Euhadra) yaeyamensis n. sp.
Shell sinistral, perspectively umbilicated, depressed, thin but
rather solid, light brown with a supra-peripheral brown line. Surface
irregularly wrinkle-striate and in places showing an excessively fine,
superficial spiral striation. Spire low conoidal, composed of 6 con¬
vex, slowly widening whorls, the last nearly twice as wide as the
preceding, a trifle descending in front, rounded at the periphery and
beneath. Aperture oblique, wide lunate ; peristome flesh-tinted, nar¬
rowly expanded and subreflexed, and slightly thickened within,
dilated at the columellar insertion. Alt. 17, greater diam. 27s>
lesser 23 mm.
Yaeyama (Okinawa) Island, Loo Clioo group. (Frederick
Stearns).
This species is apparently most nearly allied to the Chinese H.
latilabris Mlldff, but the umbilicus is more open, the lip narrower,
aperture more oblique, etc. The umbilicus is wider and more open
than in H. qucesita.
ISAAC LEA CHAPTER, AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION.
BY DR. M. L. LEACH, WEXFORD, MICH.
A vigorous chapter of the Agassiz Association has been in exist¬
ence for several years and is known as the “ Isaac Lea Conchological
Chapter.” Its members are scattered over this country from Maine
to California, and some of them reside in Canada. The Chapter is
divided into sections, each having a secretary, who has special
knowledge of bis department. A juvenile section has recently been
added, and a goodly number of boys and girls are learning about
shells. As the members are so widely separated, most of the com-
THE NAUTILUS.
11
munications must be in writing. The most valuable papers consist
of annual reports, which are sent to the members in turn, and are
finally preserved by the general secretary. During the past years
excellent work has been done by members of this Chapter, and an
invitation is extended to working conchologists to apply to the
secretary for membership.
The President of the Chapter is Prof. Josiah Keep, of INI ills
College, Cal., and the Secretary is Mrs. M. Burton Williamson,
University P. O., Los Angeles Co., California.
MELONGENA CORONA Gmel.
BY FRANK A. WHITE, GEORGIANA, FLORIDA.
For many years I have seen these shells and have been sure that
they were from a living mollusk, but until March 20, 1894 had
never seen one alive.
On that day I went from Georgiana to Oceanus and as the river
was very boisterous I went by way of the Thousand Islands. When
about half a mile from my destination we all went ashore for a few
miuutes and there in the shoal, still water, were several pairs of
Melongena corona apparently in the act of copulation. I very much
desire to visit the station again when I have more time at my com¬
mand and secure more of the shells and observe more closely their
actions.
Structural and Systematic Conchology in the description says
operculum solid ” but does not give material. It is horny and not
very thick.
There is some variation in the living shells some having varices
near anterior end of aperture, others smooth. Some time ago I
found a broken shell much larger than any recent shell I have seen.
The spire and part of the body whorl were gone but the aperture
was intact and measured 3 inches in length including the callus of
posterior canal. This seems to indicate that in “ prehistoric times”
these mollusks attained a much greater size than at the present
time.
I neglected to say in the proper place that the living shells were
in the Banana river in brackish water.
12
THE NAUTILUS.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Mr. Edward W. Roper has returned from a two months trip to
Jamaica. He reports a good time and considerable collecting.
Purpura saxicola Val. — A large suite of this species recently
presented to the collection of the American Association of Con-
chologists by Mr. Williard M. Wood, shows an extraordinary
amount of variation. Some very large examples are represented,
the largest measuring 34 mm. alt. Others show variations from
smooth to strongly corded. In color they vary from livid-white or
gray ; white to bright orange and to black, some being spirally
banded with brown in the intervals between the white spiral riblets.
The entire lot was collected in San Francisco County, Cal.
Mr. Frederick Stearns of Detroit, is in Philadelphia, working
upon the literature of Japanese mollusks.
A. B. Ivendig, D. D., has removed from East Orange, N. J., to
2190 Seventh Ave., New York City.
OBITUARY.
Mrs. D. L. Garlick expired suddenly March 16, 1894, in San
Francisco. She was spending the winter in Alameda, as the
guest of her sister, Mrs. Gaylord, 2116 Central Avenue, and the two
ladies went out to the Cliff House and vicinity yesterday to spend
the day collecting shells.
They climbed a precipitous height near Land’s End station on
the line of the Ferries and Cliff House Railroad, and when she
reached a little station on the road, they sat down for a rest. Sud¬
denly Mrs. Garlick fell forward and dropped on the floor. Upon
trying to raise her up, Mrs. Gaylord was horrified to see that her sis¬
ter was dead.
Weakness of the heart, aggravated by over exertion, is attributed
as the cause of death.
The home of the deceased was at St. Paul, Minn., and she made
it a practice for many years to spend the winters in California,
either in Alameda or San Diego. She had been interested in the
collection of shells for some years.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conch ological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. )Z,£/Lf JUNE, 1894. No. 2.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
Urosalpinx cinereus in San Francisco Bay. By Robt. E. C. Stearns. . 13
A Few Notes on Helix Appressa. By A. G. Wetherby. . . .14
Notices of New Japanese Mollusks, III. By H. A. Pilsbry. . . 16
Perostylus, A New Genus of Fusoid Gastropod. By H. A. Pilsbry. . 17
Southern Shells in Missouri. By F. A. Simpson . 18
List of Shells Collected in Jamaica. (Continued.)
By J. R. Henderson, Jr. 19
Notes and News . 24
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Yols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologist's Exchange .” We
cannot furnish these, but a liberal price will be paid for the first
five numbers of Vol. I.
ABVEBTISIN© BATES.
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
six months or longer.
Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow7.
Wanted, many of the rarer U. S. A. terrestrial and marine shells.
Offered, many do, British and European, esp. small marine genera
such as Rissoa, Utriculus, etc. — Lists first.
B. Tomlin, The Green, Llandaff, nr. Cardiff, Wales.
Wanted, Vols. I and II, of the Conchologists Exchange; state
requirements to E. R. SYKES,
13 Doughty St., London, W. C. England.
1894
J N ^
The N AUTILUS.
VOL. VIII.
JUNE, 1894.
No. 2
UROSALPINX CINEREUS IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY.
ROBT. E. C. STEARNS.
The Report of the U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries
1889-91 just published (March, 1893), contains an interestiug and
valuable paper by Mr. Charles H. Townsend of the Albatross on
“ The Oyster Resources and Oyster Fishery of the Pacific Coast,”
etc., etc., in which he mentions the occurrence of Urosalpinx cine-
reus ( =Fvsus cinereus Say) on the beds of transplanted Eastern
oysters near Belmont. It appears that this species, the “ drill” of
the oystermen, “ has not become troublesome until very recently, and
even now is abundant only in the southern part of the Bay.
“At the Belmont beds I had no difficulty in gathering a quart
of these mollusks, in less than ten minutes, by merely turning over
the large oysters when the water had receded from the beds.
“This destructive animal may have been introduced much earlier
than the oyster-men suppose, as a few individuals accidentally
imported among the original oysters would require several years to
increase to the present numbers.” They had not at the time of Mr.
Townsend’s investigation, been detected on the oyster beds at Mill-
brae, which are much nearer the sea.
This is the second form that has incidentally been introduced
with the oysters from the Atlantic seaboard, Mya arenaria being the
first ; the latter has already become abundant, and therefore a val-
14
THE NAUTILUS.
uable addition to the food supply of the West Coast. It seems
strange that some of the couchologists or collectors should not have
detected the Urosalpinx before; for while, no doubt it multiplies
rapidly under favorable conditions, still the abundance of this form
as shown by Mr. Townsend’s investigation, indicates that it must
have been on the Belmont beds for several years. The common
Purpura of the coast, P. crispata has heretofore been found in con¬
siderable numbers on some of the oyster beds in San Francisco Bay.
How it compares with the drill, as an oyster borer and pest to the
oyster men, I have not learned.
We may reasonably look forward to the finding of a third eastern
species, as an accidental or incidental transplantation ; it may be
already established there, in some of the beds of eastern oysters.
I refer to the ribbed Mytilus , M. hamulus Say, which is so frequently
met with here, attached to Ostrea virginica. Mr. Townsend or
some of the local naturalists, should look after it — if not there now,
it will be sooner or later.
Washington, D. C., March, 1894.
A FEW NOTES ON HELIX APPRESSA.
BY A. G. WETHERLY.
In the April Nautilus, Mr. Pilsbry has given us his description
of Triodopsis appressa, and named a variety thereof perigrapta. As I
am at war in a good humored way, with the modern habit of desig¬
nating the hundreds of varieties of our land shells by latin names,
I hope to make my reasons plain in the following brief note. Re¬
ferring to, but not copying Pilsbry’s description of perigrapta, I will
say that I have shells in my collection exhibiting every gradation of
the sculpture in question, from a few “ spiral incised lines ” in speci¬
mens from Cherokee Co., N. C., to those in which these lines are not
only crowded, but much more pronounced individually ; and as
these specimens are heavily ribbed, they aid in giving some parts of
the surface of the shell a beaded appearance.
Every gradation may be traced in the specimens which I have,
from the smooth albino form found at Cincinnati, Ohio, to those
rough mountaineers from Morrowville, Tenn. Where then, does
THE NAUTILUS.
15
perigrapta begin and where does it stop? Any of these varieties is
just as much entitled to name as is the one selected for this honor.
Among the rest is a large var., 23 mm., from Lookout Mt., Tenn.
This variety is almost smooth or very sparingly costate. It is
slightly wrinkled like Z. inornatm. But it is crowded with these
incised lines above and below !
Another form that I collected at Gasper, Picking Co., Ga., in
August, ’83, is very costate, and has the incised lines very much
crowded and developed. The Lookout shells have the parietal
tooth long, curving, and joining the columellar callus in the umbili¬
cal region. The Gasper specimens have this tooth short and very
erect. They also have the lip very much widened, and the spire ele¬
vated. I have, in my suite of this species, four shells, taken at ran¬
dom from a lot collected at Murphy, Cherokee Co., N. C., in every
one of which the upper tooth is well indicated, the parietal tooth is
short and erect, the spire elevated, the body whorl obtusely carinate
and the whole surface above and below is crowded with “ microscopic
spiral incised lines.” Now which is perigrapta? The deep costie
and the multitude of spiral incised lines roughen the epidermis of
the Morrowville examples and begin to introduce the conditions
attaining in subpalliata. These shells, in consequence, have a some¬
what dull appearance, while the Lookout Mt. and Cherokee Co. spec¬
imens are highly polished.
A variety from Braden Mt., Tenn., is heavily costate, and has the
spiral lines (as has every shell of appressa ) but not “incised.”
These shells range from 12 mm. to 25 mm. (my largest specimen of
sargentiana). This last form is costate, has the erect tooth, the cari¬
nate body whorl, and the spiral lines, not “ incised,” and is in fact
nearer to the typical appressa, in every aspect, than the highly
polished and shining specimens from N. C.
Now what is the philosophic method in treating such a problem ?
Is it to give all these varieties names, loading up our literature and
check lists with trinominal designation for varieties that differ in the
same County of the same State? Or shall we write our labels ap¬
pressa var. with locus and so on to the end ? There is at least one
collection in the U. S. where the latter method prevails and will to
the end. I am tempted, in this place, to prune and reset Mr. Pils-
bry’s phylogenic tree according to my ideas, but I will not take
space for so doing now. I do not, however, believe that dentifera is
the root or that the branches sargentiana, appressa and perigrapta
16
THE NAUTILUS.
are of equal specific rank, or that two of them are of any specific
rank whatever; and I base my statement not only upon the varie¬
ties of this species here briefly mentioned, but upon many others in
my collection, from many States and mostly collected by myself.1
Why do we not take to our heart of hearts the great truth that
there are no hard and fast lines in Nature’s record either present or
past, and hold close the splendid proof given by this shell?
The foreign student who has not seen all our shells can tell noth¬
ing by these names, but if he knows appressa he will have the
truth suggested by appressa, etc. So, too, our catalogues will be
something besides names and nobis ! They will be expressive of
facts in the life history of this humble race.
This is the method that appeals to me as the scientific, the truth¬
ful, the suggestive method ; and I shall never cease to believe in it
and to work for it.
NOTICES OF NEW JAPANESE M0LLUSK3, III.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
Siphonaria acmaeoides n. sp.
Shell oblong, nearly equilateral, but with excentric apex like S .
radiata A. & R. (Zool. Samarang pi. 13, fig. 2). The even surface
hardly modified by the 9-16 low, wide ribs, between which it is very
finely radially striated. Siplional rib wide but low and inconspicu¬
ous. Apex spiral, bent down and appressed. Interior blackish or
chestnut within the muscle impression, outside of which it is radially
striped black and white, the siplional channel extremely shallow
and inconspicuous. Color outside whitish-buff, speckled and mac¬
ulated with brown, or whitish on the principal ribs, the intervals
black-brown. Length 12J, breadth 9R alt. 3s mm.
Prov. Boshiu, Japan (Frederick Stearns).
This little species very closely resembles Acmoca Heroldi in the
general form and the coloration of the interior.
1 Mr. Pilsbry intended appressa, not dentifera for the root, in his diagram.
The “tree” is seen from above, not from the side.— Ed.
THE NAUTILUS.
17
PEROSTYLUS, A NEW GENUS OF FUSOID GASTROPOD.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
In volume IX of the Manual of Conchology, Mr. Tryon described
and figured a shell from Port Darwin, N. Australia, as Gerithium
( Colina ) Brazieri. Having occasion recently to study a large
number of C. macrostoma Hinds, the type of the subgenus Colina, I
was at once struck by the notable difference between this species and
C. Brazieri. The latter does not seem to belong to the Cerithiidce
at all, much less to the group Colina. I am more inclined to view
it as an aberrant type of the Fusidce, although only a knowledge of
the operculum and dentition can decide the question. The new
group may be thus diagnosed :
Perostylus n. g. Gen. Char.: Shell cylindrical or pillar-shaped,
thin, with decollated apex like that of a Rumina or Cylindrella;
last whorl but little wider than the spire ; aperture small, shaped
like that of Fusus or Chrysodomus (Sip ho), produced in an open
canal below ; columella straight or sinuous, without folds; outer lip
thin and fragile. Type Cerithium ( Colina ) Brazieri Tryon.
The decollation of the spire is not the result of erosion, as in the
species of Potamides and Melaniidce, nor is the apex filled with a
thick solid mass of shell-tissue as in those groups. In Perostylus
the structure is like that of Rumina decollata or the West Indian
Cylindrellas.
The genus will consist for the present of two species.
P. Brazieri Tryon.
Shell cylindrical, white, fragile, hardly tapering, consisting of 61
remaining whorls, each carinated and obtusely nodulous in
the middle, and obsoletely spirally lirate. Last whorl with
one or two spiral cords below the peripheral keel, and more
distinctly spirally lirate, the base nearly smooth. Aperture
one-third the length of the shell ; outer lip thin and fragile,
columellar lip distinctly sigmoid, smooth. Alt 21, diam.
6 mm.
Habitat, Port Darwin, N. Australia (John Brazier).
If this shell could be reproduced in the form it would have were
the earlier whorls not decollated, it would be by all odds the most
attenuated Gastropod known, surpassing even the Terebras in the
number of its slowly increasing whorls. The numerous young shells
18
THE NAUTILUS.
before me fully support this opinion. Unfortunately none of them
are young enough to show the apex. The youngest of them,
although not half the diameter of the adult, show the same almost
imperceptible degree of tapering.
P. Fordianus Pilsbry.
Shell cylindrical, white, thin ; spire hardly tapering, but last
whorl notably wider. Remaining whorls 4J, sculptured as
in the last species, but the next-to-the-last whorl is distinctly
narrower than the preceding whorl. Aperture nearly one-
half the length of the shell ; outer lip thin, simple ; colu¬
mella straight, a trifle deflected toward the left below. Alt.
19, diam. 7? mm.
Habitat unknown. The specimens were presented to the Acad¬
emy by Mr. John Ford.
This species is distinguished from the preceding by its straight,
not sigmoid columella, and by the fewer remaining whorls. As the
last character might possibly be the result of greater age, I do not
now attach much importance to it, although it will probably prove
to be a constant specific feature.
SOUTHERN SHELLS IN MISSOURI.
BY F. A. SAMPSON, SEDALIA, MO.
In the March Nautilus there is a reference to Helicina orbiculata
having been collected in Stone county, Missouri, “ probably near its
northern limits.” I have it in my collection from three other
counties in Missouri : Jasper, Barry, and Macdonald, all of them
being near the southern line of the state.
Of some other southern species I have specimens from places fur¬
ther north, a list of which is here given :
Bulimulus dealbatus Say, from the counties of Macdonald, Barry,
Douglas, Camden and Cooper, the two latter being in the central
part of the state.
Polygyra triodontoides Bland, from Barry.
P. jaclcsoni Bland, from Jasper, Barry, Macdonald, Dade and
Camden.
P. dorfeuilliana Lea, from Howell and Douglas.
THE NAUTILUS.
19
P. sampsoni Weth., from Macdonald, Jasper, Barry, Camden and
Benton the latter being in Central Missouri.
P. leporina Gld., from Barry, Butler and Cape Girardeau.
Stenotrema labrosum Bland, from Macdonald, Barry, Jasper,
Dade and Greene.
Triorlopsis vultuosa Gould, from Macdonald, Dade and Pettis, the
latter being in Central Missouri.
Mesodon divestus Gould, from Barry, Jasper and Dade.
M. andrewsi W. G. B., from St. Francois.
LIST OF SHELLS COLLECTED IN JAMAICA.
BY J. B. HENDERSON, JR.
Second paper: Orthalicidce, Cylindrellidce, Pupidce, Operculata.
78. Bulimulus immaculatus live. Long Mt. ; S. of Pt. Maria.
79. Orthalicus undatus Brug. E. of Kingston, on trees. Hope
River (dark var.).
80. Cylindrella montana C. B. A. Bought.
81. Cylindrella columna C. B. A. Bog Walk (?).
82. Cylindrella striata Chitty (?). St. Anns.
83. Cylindrella ovata Desh. (?). St. Anns.
84. Cylindrella cylindra Chem. Stony Hill.
85. Cylindrella sanguinea Pfr. Bog Walk.
86. Cylindrella brevis Pfr. Long Alt. ; Ocho Rios ; Hope River
Rockfort.
87. Cylindrella brevis v. intermedia C. B. A. Hope River.
88. Cylindrella obesa C. B. A. Falmouth.
89. Cylindrella columna C. B. A. Rockfort.
90. Cylindrella gravesi C. B. A. Montego Bay ; Little River ;
Bluefields.
91. Cylindrella bacquieana Chitty (?). Cave, Pt. Antonio.
92. Cylindrella uobilior C. B. A. Bog Walk.
93. Cylindrella aspera C. B. A. Yallahs River.
94. Cylindrella rosea Pfr. Mandeville.
95. Cylindrella rosea v. fortis C. B. A. Spurtree Hill.
96. Cylindrella rubra C. B. A. Bog Walk.
97. Cylindrella tenella C. B. A. Falmouth ; Little River ; Ocho
Rios ; Bog Walk ; St. Anns ; Gallina Point ; Montego Bay.
20
THE NAUTILUS.
98. Cylindrella alba C. B. A. N. of St. la Mar.
99. Cylindrella inornata C. B. A. Mandeville (dead).
100. Cylindrella semimida C. B. A. Bog Walk ; Long Mt.
101. Cylindrella robertsi C. B. Ad. Ocho Rios; Montego Bay ;
Stony Hill.
102. Cylindrella elongata Chem. Bog Walk ; Stony Hill.
103. Cylindrella gracilis Wood. Mandeville.
104. Lia maugeri Wood. Bog Walk. Bought.
105. Macrocerarnus gossei Pfr. Spurtree Hill.
106. Pupa servihs Gould. Hope River ; W. of Pt. Antonio.
107. Pupa tenuidens C. B. A. W. of Pt. Antonio.
108. Pupa jamaicensis C. B. A. Falmouth; Rockfort.
109. Pupa grevillea Chitty. W. of Pt. Antonio.
110. Pupa jardineana Chitty. W. of Pt. Antonio.
111. Pupa lata C. B. A. W. of Pt. Antonio.
112. Stenogyra (Opeas) pauperculus C. B. A. W. of Pt. Auto^
nio ; Mt. Pleasant.
113. Stenogyra (Opeas) terebella C. B. A. St. Anns ; Long Mt.;
Falmouth; Black River; Bog Walk; Gallina Point; Montego
Bay.
114. Stenogyra (Opeas) striosa C. B. A. Rockfort; Montego
Bay; Black River; Bog Walk; Duncans; Pt. Antonio; Mt.
Pleasant; Bowden; Bluefields; Long Mt. ; Ocho Rios; St Anns;
Gallina Point ; Hope River.
115. Stenogyra (Subulina) octona Chem. St. Anns; Pt. Maria;
Pt. Antonio ; Kingston ; Hope Bay ; Gallina Point ; Buff Bay ;
Bowden-; Mandeville; Mt. Pleasant; Bluefields; Remble ; Peters-
field ; Bog Walk; Stony Hill; Long Mt. ; Annotha Bay ; Ocho
Rios.
116. Stenogyra (Subulina) octonoides Chem. Pt. Antonio ; Bog
Walk; Black River; Mandeville; Gallina Point; Montego Bay.
117. Stenogyra (Spiraxis) solitaria C. B. A. Long Mt. ; Mon¬
tego Bay.
118. Stenogyra (Spiraxis) pellucens C. B. A. Bog Walk ; Ocho
Rios ; Rio Novo ; Hope River ; Annotha Bay.
119. Stenogyra (Spiraxis) aberrans Pfr. Cave, St. Anns.
120. Stenogyra (Spiraxis) subula Pfr. Spurtree Hill ; Mande¬
ville ; Bog Walk ; Stony Hill.
121. Stenogyra (Leptinaria) pallida C. B. A. Bog Walk; Mon¬
tego Bay ; Pt. Antonio; Mandeville ; Ocho Rios.
THE NAUTILUS.
21
122. Geostilbia iota C. B. A. W. of Pt. Antonio.
123. Succinea sagra d’Orb. Montego Bay ; Pt. Antonio; Bog
Walk ; Bowden ; Rio Novo ; Buff Bay ; Gallina Point ; Pt. Maria;
Petersfield ; Mandeville ; Bluefields.
124. Succinea contorta C. B. A. Bowden ; Bluefields.
125. Succinea angustior C. B A. Montego Bay; St. Anns;
Petersfield.
126. Succinea latior C. B. A. Pt. Antonio ; Montego Bay ;
Mt. Pleasant; Gallina Point; Bowden; Mandeville; Rio Novo;
Pt. Maria; St. Anns; Bog Walk ; Black River.
(I believe all these Succineas to be one species).
127. Veronicella occidentalis Gldg. Pt. Antonio.
128. Veronicella sloanei Cuvier. Mandeville.
129. Carychium exilis C. B. A. Petersfield; St. Anns; Pt. An¬
tonio.
130. Geomelania beardsleyana C. B. A. Bog Walk.
131. Geomelania minor C. B. A. Mandeville.
132. Geomelania fortis C. B. A. Mandeville.
133. Geomelania procera C. B. A. Pt. Antonio ; Bowden.
134. Geomelania jamaicensis Pfr. Petersfield.
135. Geomelania pygmaea C. B. A. Rio Novo.
136. Geomelania vicina C. B. A. Black River.
137. Geomelania pauperata C. B. A. Montego Bay.
138. Geomelania affinis C. B. A. (?). Kingston.
139. Truncatella pulchella Pfr. Rockfort.
(In fresh water pool with Planorbis decipiens! This pool is by
the roadside, the water slowly oozing out of a cut in the hill. A
few above and a short distance from Kingston Harbor).
140. Truncatella scalerina Mich. Little River, on stones at low
tide.
141. Truncatella succinea C. B. A. St. Anns ; Petersfield, on
mountain with hermit crabs, 9 miles from the sea ; Ocho Rios.
142. Neocyclotus dubiosum C. B. A. Montego Bay ; Falmouth.
(“ Neocyclotus ” has been applied by Crosse and Fischer to the
American forms of Cyclotus. The group of species with corrugated
shells peculiar to Jamaica is placed by them in the subgenus Platy-
stoma).
143. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) portlandiensis CL i tty. Pt. Anto¬
nio.
144. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) semi-nudus C. B. A. Bog Walk.
22
THE NAUTILUS.
145. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) varians C. B. A. Mandeville;
Petersfield.
146. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) varians v. “a” Chitty. Bog
Walk.
147. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) jamaicensis Chem. Petersfield ;
Mt. Pleasant; Mandeville; Bog Walk.
148. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) subrugosus Sbv. Mandeville;
St. Anns : Hope River ; Sat. la Mar.
149. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) rupis-fontis Cbitty. Mandeville.
150. Neocyclotus (IPatvstoma) corrugatus Pfr. Mandeville;
Spurtree Hill.
151. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) crassus C. B. A. Black River;
Mandeville; Montego Bay: Sat. la Mar ; Mt. Pleasant.
152. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) pretiosus Chitty. Bog Walk ;
Rio Novo.
158. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) ruber Chittv. St. Anns Bay.
154. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) jugosus C. B. A. Sat. la Mar.
155. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) jugosus v. rufilabris C. B. A.
Bought.
156. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) corrugatissimus Chitty. Ocho
Rios.
157. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) biswichi Chitty. Bluefields.
153. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) corrugatior Chitty. Gallina Pt. ;
Duncans.
159. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) gemma Chitty. Petersfield ;
Montego Bay.
160. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) granulates Chitty (MS). Gallina
Point.
161. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) nova-spei Chitty. Rio Novo.
162. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) zig-zag Chitty. Montego Bay.
163. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) annotatior Chitty. Gallina Pt.
164. Neocyclotus (Platystoma) sp. Bluefields.
(There is a remarkable rssemblance between the shells of this
group, but a great diversity in the sculpture of the opercula which
furnishes good specific characters).
165. Choanopoma fimbriatulum Sby. Mandeville.
166. Choanopoma lencina L. Bog Walk.
167. Choanopoma interruptum Dam. Mona House, Long Mt.
168. Adamsiella variabilis C. B. A. Bluefields.
169. Adamsiella mirabilis Wood. Montego Bay.
THE NAUTILUS.
23
170. Adamsiella pulchra C. B. A. Gallina Point ; Ilio Novo.
171. Adamsiella grayana Pfr. Stony Hill; Bog Walk.
172. Adamsiella grayana v. aureo-labris Simpson. Rio Novo.
(These differ from the type in being less elevated, smoother and
somewhat shining, in having a larger umbilicus ; and in the aper¬
ture, which has the inner lip slightly or often not at all developed,
and the outer smooth and reflexed, the whole a bright reddish
orange. The outer lip of the type is little reflexed and generally
lamellar, the border is usually straight at its upper part ; in the
var. it is invariably bent back. Were this not such a variable spe¬
cies, Mr. Simpson thinks it should receive a specific name).
173. Tudora columna Wood. Bog Walk.
=quinquefasciatum C. B. A.
174. Tudora armata C. B. A. Rochfort.
175. Tudora fecunda C. B. A. Hope River; Long Mt. ; Stonv
Hill.
176. Tudora proxima C. B. A. Bog Walk ; Mandeville; Pt.
Maria.
177. Tudora angustaeC. B A. Bowden ; Hope River; St. Anns ;
Ocho Rios.
178. Tudora angustae v. rufilabre C. B. A. Near Ocho Rios.
179. Tudora fascia Wood. Gallina Point; Buff’ Bay; Pt. An¬
tonio; Hope Bay ; Little River.
180. Tudora crenulosum C. B. A. Spurtree Hill; Bluefields.
181. Tudora aurora C. B. A. Gallina Point; St. Anns.
=maritima?
182. Tudora maritima C. B. A. Rio Novo; Ocho Rios; Cave,
St. Anns.
183. Tudora adamsi Pfr. St. Anns ; Gallina Point ; Falmouth,
near Long Bay.
184. Tudora vilkinsoui C. B. A, Bluefields.
185. Tudora shepardiana C. B. A. Mt. Pleasant.
186. Colobostylus jayanus C. B. A. Mandeville; Bog Walk.
187. Colobostylus jayanus var. Bought.
188. Colobostylus albus Lam. Gallina Point; Rio Novo; St.
Anns; Buff Bay.
189. Colobostylus albus v. fuscus C. B. A. Rio Novo.
190. Colobostylus tectilabris C. B. A. Spurtree Hill ; Mande¬
ville.
191. Colobostylus redfieldianus C. B. A. Bog Walk; Blue¬
fields ;Kings ; Mt. Pleasant; Montego Bay ; Black River.
24
THE NAUTILUS.
192. Colobostylus bauhsianus Sby. Mandeville.
=hyacinthimum C. B. A.
193. Colobostylus chevalieri C. B. A. Little River.
194. Colobostylus chevalieri v. albus C. B. A. Montego Bay.
195. Colobostylus chevalieri virgatus C. B. A. Little River.
196. Colobostylus lamellosus C. B. A. Near Little River.
197. Colobostylus bronni C. B. A. E. of St. Anns ; Falmouth ;
Little River; OchoRios; on stone walls in the sunshine at Mon¬
tego Bay.
(One specimen from Mt. Pleasant that differs slightly from the
others, but hardly specifically).
198. Colobostylus yallahensis C. B. A. (?). Duncans (in Port¬
land) : E. of St. Anns.
(Agrees with Reeves figure in Cone. Icon., Vol. XIII, pi. 13, but
hardly with Adams’ description. If it is not this it must be a new
species).
199. Helicina neritella Gray. Montego Bay; Bluefields ; Mt.
Pleasant; Petersfield ; Pt. Maria; Annotta Bay ; Mandeville; Pt.
Antonio ; Stony Hill ; Buff Bay ; Bog Walk ; Sav. la Mar.
200. Helicina neritella var. (banded) (new?) Bog Walk.
201. Helicina jamaicensis Sby. Mandeville.
202. Helicina aurantia Gray. St. Anns ; Montego Bay.
(To be Continued.)
NOTES AND NEWS.
Variations due to station in Polygyra (Stenotrema) iiir-
«uta Say. — Having read your “ Descriptive Notes on Certain
Forms of Polygyra ” in the April “ Nautilus,” I take the liberty
of sending you two forms of P. hirsuta Say that I have found in this
County. The first measures 8 mm. in diameter, is very common on
loiv ground, in some places being the most plentiful species of Helix
found, while the second form, 6 mm. diam., I have only found on
one high, and dry hill, clear up at the top, among moss and stones,
where the Trailing Arbutus ( Epigcea repens ) and Wintergreen grow.
I think you will find No. 2 alive, as I only collected them last
Sunday. Under the microscope you will see that while No. 1 has
u sharp, rigid hairs” those of No. 2 are curved or hooked. It also
seems to me that there is a noticeable difference in the “notch.” —
Geo. H. Clapp, Pittsburgh, Pa., April 3, 1894.
$1.00 per Year.
/&,
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHO LOG1STS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphi*.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
Vol. VIII. JULY, 1894. No. 3.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
Synopsis of the Matrid^e of North America. By Wm. H. Dali . 25
Helix (Arionta) Coloradoensis : — A New Locality.
By Robt. E. C. Stearns. 29
«•
Notices of New Japanese Mollusks, IV. By H. A. Pilsbry. . . 2y
List of Shells Collected in Jamaica. By J. B. Henderson, Jr. . 31
My Daily Walk. By W. M. Wood . 33
Notes and News . 35
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
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Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologist’s Exchange .” We
cannot furnish these, but a liberal price will be paid for the first
five numbers of Vol. I.
ABITEMTISIM© BAfES*
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
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Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
Wanted, many of the rarer U. S. A. terrestrial and marine shells.
Offered, many do, British and European, esp. small marine genera
such as Rissoa, Utricuhis, etc. — Lists first.
B. Tomlin, The Green, Llandaff, nr. Cardiff', Wales.
Wanted, Vols. I and II, of the Conchologists Exchange; state
requirements to E. R. SYKES,
13 Doughty St., London, W. C. England.
West Coast land, fresh-water and marine shells in exchange for
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Williard M. Wood, 2817 Clay St., San Francisco, Cal.
The Nautilus
VOL. VIII.
JULY, 1894.
No. 3
SYNOPSIS OF THE MACTRIDJE OF NORTH AMERICA.
BY WM. H. BALL.
In revising the group of Mactracea with the intention of working
up the Tertiary species of North America it became necessary to go
over the whole of the recent species and enquire into their synony¬
my. The following lists of east and west American species seem
likely to be useful to students, as the synonymy of the group has
been in a confused state hitherto. The distinctions between the
different types of Mactriclce have hitherto largely been lost sight of,
owing to the practice of confounding all together under one or two
generic names ; and while, to those habituated to previous methods,
the present arrangement may at first sight seem excessively sub¬
divided, I have found, in going over the whole group of Mactracea
in the National Collection, that features of geographical distribution
and characters of importance in the development of the family in
time, are brought out by it in a way which was wholly impossible by
earlier methods. The present subdivision compared with that of
most other groups of mollusks at the present time is not excessive,
and by those who may be led to a close and accurate study of the
mollusks in question hereafter I believe it will be found to be useful
and convenient.
I. Synopsis of the Mactridpe of the Eastern coast of the United
States.
26
THE NAUTILUS.
Subfamily Mactrinje.
Genus MACTRA (L.) Lam., 1799.
(-f Crassatella [cygnea] Lam., 1799) ; Type 31. stultorum L.
Mactra Richmondi Dali. Greytown, Nicaragua.
Subgenus Mactrella Gray, 1853.
(+Papyrina Morch, 1853) ; Type :
Mactra (Mactrella) alata Spengler, 1S02. Porto Rico to Brazil.
=31. carinata Lam., 1818 ; -f -31. striatula Auct. non L.
Subgenus Mactrotoma Dali.
( =Standella Cpr. ex parte, non Gray ; Sjnssida Morcb non Gray).
Anterior left lateral tooth bidentate, right ventral tooth triden-
tate. Type :
Mactra (Mactrotoma) fragilis Gmelin, 1792. Hatteras to Rio Janeiro.
=il/. dealbata Pult. 1803; -\-M. brasiliana Lam., 1818; + 31. ob-
longa Say, 1822; -\-M. ovalina (Lam.?) Auct.; +31. oblongata
Ravenel, 1834; +31. bilineata (C. B. Ads.) Reeve, 1854; +31. sili-
cula Reeve non Desh. (?) 1854; +31. ambigua Weink. (?) ; +31.
anserina Guppy, 1875. Not Spisula fragilis Gray, 1838.
Genus SPISULA Gray, 1838.
(=S])issida Phil., 1847, not Morch, 1853 ; +Spizula Conr., 1868 ;
+Spisulina Fischer, 1887). Type 3Iactra solida L ., Gray, 1847.
Subgenus Hemimactra Swainson, 1840.
Spisula (Hemimactra) solidissima Dilhvyn., 1817. Labrador to Virginia.
=31. gigantea Lam., 1818; +31. proeera Sol., mss. ; +31. Say i
Gray, 1838.
S. (Hemimactra) solidissima var. similis Say, 1822. Rhode Id. to St. Thomas,
W. Indies.
=31. Raveneli Conr., 1831 ; not 31 similis Gray, 1828.
Section 3Iadromeris Conrad, 1868.
Spisula (Hemimactra) polynyma Stimpson, 1S60. Hudson Bay to Cape Ann, Mass
=31. ovalis Gld., 1840, not J. Sowerby, 1817 ; +31. ponderosa
Phil., 1844, not Eichw. nor Conr., 1830 ; +31. grandis Desh., 1830,
not Gmel., 1788 ; +31. similis Gray, 1828, not Say, 1822; +31.
Grayana Schrenck, 1867.
THE NAUTILUS.
27
Genus MULINIA Gray, 1838.
Type M. typica Gray (=M. edulis King).
(=Moulinea Phil., 1853, -f -Mulinea Conr., 1867.)
Mulinia lateralis Say, 1S22. New Brunswick to the West Indies.
=Mactra subtruncata Greene, 1833 ; not Da Costa, 1788.
Mulinia lateralis var. corbuloides Deshayes, IS54. Mostly southern.
=Mactra rostrata Phil., 1848, not Spengler, 1802.
Mulinia guadelupensis Recluz, 1S52. West Indies.
=Mactra cantrainei Reeve, 1854; -\-M. portoricensis Shuttlew.,
1856 ; -\-M. donadformis Auet. non Gray ; -j -M. tumida and turgida
Guppy, non Gmelin.
Genus GNATHODON Gray, 1831.
Type G. cuneatus Gray, 1831.
( =Rangia Desm., 1832, -| -Clathrodon Conrad, 1833 ; -f -Peris-
sodon Conrad, 1863 ; -(- Columbia Blaiuville, mss., 1834.)
Gnathodon cuneatus Gray, 1S31. Gulf of Mexico.
=R angia cyrenoides Desm., 1 832.
Gnathodon cuneatus var. nasutus Dali, 1894. Texas.
Subgenus Rangianella Conrad, 1863.
Gnathodon flexuosus Conrad, 1839. Gulf of Mexico.
= G. rostratus Petit, 1853.
Gnathodon flexuosus var. Petitianus Dali, 1894. Mexico.
Genus LABIOSA (Schmidt) Holler, 1832.
Type Mactra anatina Spengler, 1802.
(=Anatina Schumacher, 1817, non Lamarck, 1809, -(- Cypricia
Gray, 1840 ; -f -LeucopaHa Mayer, 1867.)
Labiosa lineata Say, 1822. New Jersey to San Paulo, Brazil.
—Mactra nuttallii Reeve, 1854, non Conrad ; -j -M. recurva Gray,
1828; -\-M. papyracea Auet. non Lamarck.
Subgenus Raeta Gray, 1853.
Type L. canaliculata Say, 1822.
(= Cryptodon H. & A. Adams, not of Turton or Conrad, -\-Lovel-
lia Mayer, 1867.)
28
THE NAUTILUS.
Labiosa (Raeta) canaliculata Say, 1822. New Jersey to southern Brazil.
=Mactra campechensis Gray, 1828.
Doubtful or spurious East American species.
Mactra nucleus Conr., 1831, from “New Jersey” is exotic, and
stated by Tryon in the Am. Marine Conchology to be a native
of Manila.
Mactrella ( Harvelld ) elegans Sowerby, has been reported from
“Florida” where it is unknown, and “Jamaica” probably by
a misidentification. There is no specific difference between
Panama and alleged Antillean specimens and the name cannot
be admitted to the East American list without further evidence.
Spisula subtruncata Da Costa. What appears to be a somewhat de¬
formed subfossil valve of this species was sent from Lawlor’s
Lake, New Brunswick, to Dr. Stimpson by Matthews, many
years ago. It is in the National Collection but no other spec¬
imen seems to have been collected on this side of the Atlantic
and it is probably a ballast shell.
Spisula solidissima var. Acadica Matthews; Can. Nat. viii, no. 2, p.
Ill, 1877, from the higher clays beds at St. Johns, N. B. See
also Ann. Soc. Mai. de Belgique ix, 1874. This may be
founded on the specimen of S. subtruncata above mentioned,
though Mr. Matthews’ paper is not sufficiently explicit to deter¬
mine. It is probably an exotic as he suggests.
Spisula “ subimbricata Mont.” Cockerell, in list of Jamaica shells,
Nautilus, vii, p. 115, 1894. Montngu described no Mactra of
this name. What the shell intended may be, is of course im¬
possible to say, but possibly the following:
Mactra Richnondi n. s. Shell thin, small, white, inequilateral, with
the posterior end shorter and its dorsal aspect obtusely keeled ;
surface nearly smooth, except the dorsal areas, which have short
deep concentric grooves; beaks moderate, adjacent; lateral
teeth rather short and small, smooth ; pallial sinus small,,
rounded, extending forward to the vertical of the beaks ; poste¬
rior end obtusely pointed. Longitude 21 ; alt. 14 ; semi¬
diameter 4.5 mm.
One valve on the beach at Greytown, Nicaragua ; Chas. Rich¬
mond. It is the only American species belonging to typical
Mactra with grooved dorsal areas.
Mactra Cumingiana “ Bush,” Zool. Rec., 1885, from Cape Hatteras,
is a lapsus of the Recorder for Mactra Cumingiana.
THE NAUTILUS.
29
HELIX (ARIONTA) COLORADOENSIS : — A NEW LOCALITY.
ROBT. E. C. STEARNS.
This form first detected by Dr. C. H. Merriam1 in the Grand
Canon of the Colorado, opposite the Kabab plateau, at an elevation
of 3500 feet, in 1890, and subsequently near Resting Springs2 in the
southeastern part of Inyo County, California, at an elevation of 900
feet above the Springs, in February, 1891 by Mr. Vernon Bailey
has recently (March of the present year) been obtained by Mr. C.
R. Orcutt of San Diego, at Mountain Springs, Colorado desert, San
Diego County. Mr. Bailey found his specimens among rocks on a dry
hill : Orcutt found but one example a bleached shell with the band
barely discernable. With these three points in mind it will be
seen, that a wide range of distribution is already indicated for this
species.
NOTICES OF NEW JAPANESE MOLLUSKS, IV.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
Macroschisma Lischkei n. sp.
Nemoto, Boshiu (Stearns).
Shell oblong, the length less than twice the breadth ; lateral mar¬
gins convex, anterior margin well rounded, posterior margin bluntly
rounded, subtruncate. Anterior slope straight, decidedly less than
half the length of the shell; side slopes straight.
Surface sculptured with fine radial striae, alternately larger and
smaller, finer on the forward half of the side slopes ; slightly decus¬
sated by growth lines. Color either (1) uniform black, or (2)
closely speckled with black on a buff ground, or (3) crimson
with or without dusky rays. Posterior slojoe long for the genus,
about one-fifth the length of the entire shell; flattened or subcon¬
cave behind the hole, but not guttered. Perforation large, oblong,
slightly narrower in front, and wider behind, with a very narroiv
1 Described by me in the Proc. U. S. National Museum, Vol. XIII, 1890.
2Mollusks of the Death Valley Expedition, U. S. Dept. Agriculture, (N. A,
Fauna, No. 7), 1893.
30
THE NAUTILUS.
eroded tract behind it. Length of hole contained two and one-half,
times in length of shell. Interior bluish-white, the hole callus darker
at the sides. When resting upon a plane surface, the peristome of
the shell is seen to be very much elevated behind, and but little less
so in front ; the latero-basal margins strongly curved throughout.
Length 17#, breadth 9, alt. 5 mm.
Length 16, breadth 91, alt. 5 mm.
Twenty-two specimens collected. This seems a very distinct spe¬
cies ; the position and proportions of hole, the long posterior and
short anterior slope, and the strongly curved basal margins being
especially characteristic, and unlike other described forms.
Cyrena luchuana n. sp.
Shell large, inequilateral, oblong, the anterior end short, broadly
rounded, posterior end long, produced, and squarely truncated ;
basal margin gently arcuate, dorsal margin narrowly rounded at
the beaks, the anterior slope short and nearly straight, posterior
slope long, rectilinear. Valves strong, convex, the posterior dorsal
area flat or concave, bounded by a blunt angle, another obtuse
angle extending from beaks to lower posterior extremity. Interior
white, stained with buff-olive on the hinge. Cardinal teeth bifid ;
anterior lateral very short and strong ; posterior lateral long, remote
from cardinals. Cuticle dull brown, with a yellow under color,
irregularly wrinkle-striate, lamellose behind, and less so over the
whole disk. Length 94, breadth 72, diam. 47 mm.
Yaeyama Island, Loo Clioo group (Fr. Stearns).
Cyrena (papua var. 1) yaeyamensis.
Shell shorter than the preceding, being less produced posteriorly,
the posterior surface not so distinctly angular, posterior truncation
less marked ; anterior lateral tooth not so short. Anterior dorsal
slope of hinge line straight, posterior dorsal slope slightly convex.
Color and sculpture as in luchuana, except that there is usually
some oblique corrugation of the posterior slope. Length 75,
breadth 63, diam. 36 mm.
Yaeyama I., Loo Choo group (Frederick Stearns).
This may prove to be a form of Cyrena pajma, or of C. buschii
Phil, of China, but it is more triangular, with the posterior margin
more produced.
Cyrena fissidens n. sp.
Shell resembling C. sinuosa as figured by Clessin (Conch. Cab.,
pi. 45, f. 1), but the posterior lateral tooth and corresponding pit
THE NAUTILUS.
Ol
ol
much slenderer and somewhat longer, the posterior cardinal tooth
in right valve split by a sulcus much broader than the space be¬
tween the posterior and the next adjacent cardinal tooth. Valves
orbicular, very convex, lightly wrinkle-striate, and covered with a
black cuticle. Posterior slope depressed, with a radiating wide and
shallow furrow, rendering the margin slightly emarginate. Dorsal,
anterior and basal margins well rounded ; posterior margin obliquely
subtruncate. Length 86, breadth 77, diam. 49 mm.
Yaeyama I., Loo Choo group. A single specimen (Frederick
Stearns).
Siphonalia Stearnsii n. sp.
Shell fusiform, solid, brownish ; spire conical, shorter than the
aperture, consisting of 8 convex whorls, which are finely spirally
lirate, and closely and strongly plicate ; plicae becoming partly or
wholly obsolete on the body-whorl, which is very indistinctly or not
at all shouldered, and runs upward somewhat toward the aperture,
causing a narrow, small posterior channel. Aperture shaped as in
S. fuscolineatct Pse. but wider, the inner lip smooth, its edge raised
and free ; outer lip with a wide yellowT internal border, inside of
which it is thick, lirate and white. Anterior canal strongly
recurved, short. Alt. 46, diam. 25 mm. Oblique alt. of aperture
29 mm.
Allied to S. longirostris Dkr., but less elongated, with more
strongly plicate spire and different aperture, I cannot see that any
of A. Adams’ unfigured species agree with the specimens before me.
The spire is longer and more plicated than in S.fusoides Peeve, and
the canal more recurved.
LIST OF SHELLS COLLECTED IN JAMAICA.
BY J. B. HENDERSON, JR.
Third Paper: Operculata, Aquatic Pulmonata.
203. Alcadia hollandi C. B. A. Duncans ; W. of St. Anns.
204. Alcadia adamsiana Pfr. Mandeville.
205. Alcadia solitaria C. B. A. Black River ; Bluefields ; Mt.
Pleasant; Bog Walk.
206. Alcadia depressa Gray. Bluefields ; Ora Cabessa ; Bog
Walk.
32
THE NAUTILUS.
207. Alcadia browni Gray. Montego Bay ; Bog Walk.
208. Alcadia palliata C. B. A. Mandeville; Bog Walk; Sav.
la Mar ; Stony Hill ; Ora Cabessa ; Mt. Pleasant ; Gallina Point.
209. Alcadia palliata v. labiosa C. B. A. Montego Bay.
210. Alcadia maxima C. B. A. Petersfield.
Alcadia, as typified in Alcadia palliata (with slit in the base of
the aperture) gradually blends into Helicina.
211. Eutrochatella tankervillea Gray. Bought.
(“ Trochatella ” being preoccupied, “ Eutrochatella ” of Fischer is
taken).
212. Eutrochatella pulchella Gray. Bog Walk ; Ora Cabessa;
Mandeville; Gallina Point; Stony Hill; St. Anns; Pt. Antonio;
Montego Bay ; Ocho Rios.
213. Eutrochatella costata Shy. St. Anns ; Falmouth ; Gallina
Point; Little River; Rio Bueno.
214. Lucidella nana Pfr.
=Helicina lineata Ads. Mona House ; Mande¬
ville; St. Anns; Petersfield; Pt. Antonio; Bog Walk.
215. Lucidella inaequalis Pfr. Black River ; Mt. Pleasant.
(Probably only a var. of L. aureola ).
216. Lucidella aureola Fer. Everywhere.
217. Lucidella aureola v. granulosa C. B. A. Mandeville.
218. Lucidella aureola v. interrupta Simpson. St. Anns; Dun¬
cans.
219. Stoastoma javanum C. B. A. Pt. Antonio; Petersfield;
St. Anns ; Bog Walk.
220. Stoastoma gouldianum C. B. A. Buff Bay.
221. Stoastoma pisum C. B. A. Mandeville.
222. Stoastoma sp. Mandeville.
223. Stoastoma sp. Petersfield.
224. Proserpina bidentata C. B. A. Mt. Pleasant.
225. Proserpina nitida Sby. Mandeville ; Petersfield.
226. Proserpina discoidea C. B. A. Bluefields; Petersfield ; Mt.
Pleasant; Black River; Kings.
227. Proserpina opalina C. B. A. Montego Bay; Ocho Rios;
Mandeville ; Bog Walk.
228. Proserpina pulchra C. B. A. Mt. Pleasant ; Bluefields ;
Bh. River ; Kings.
229. Amnicola (?) rivularis C. B. A. Sweet River.
230. Amnicola jamaicensis C. B. A. Rockfort.
THE NAUTILUS.
33
231. Potamopyrgus candeana Orb. Sweet River.
232. Neritina jamaicensis C. B. A. Great River.
var. of N. tristis Orb. ?
233. Neritina punctulata Lam. Buff Bay.
234. Neritina tristis Orb. Sweet River.
235. Neritina tenebricosa C. B. A. Buff Bay; Sweet River.
236. Limnea umbilicata C. B. A. Bluefields; Sweet River.
237. Physa jamaicensis C. B. A. Ramble; Sweet River.
238. Planorbis affinis C. B. A, Kingston.
239. Planorbis dentiferus C. B. A.
239a. Planorbis dentiferus var. edentata C. B. A. Bluefields ;
Black River ; Sweet River.
240. Planorbis redfieldi C. B. A. Bluefields.
241. Planorbis decipiens C. B. A. Bluefields.
242. Planorbis pallidus C. B. A. Roekfort.
243. Ampullaria fasciata Lam. Savannah la Mar.
244. Hemisinus lineolatus Wood. Sweet River; Great River;
Rio Cobre ; Mt. Pleasant ; Sav. la Mar; Roaring River.
245. Melampus flavus Gmel. Little River.
246. Melampus caffe us L. Little River.
247. Melampus (Tralia) pusilla Gmel. Little River.
248. Pedipes naticoides Stearns. Little River.
=ovalis C. B. A.
MY DAILY WALK.
WILLIARD M. WOOD.
What student of conchology does not take a daily walk, whether
it be to one’s business house, a stroll after luncheon or a walk home.
And while thus taking the outdoor exercise, does one “ keep an eye
open” for specimens? If not, do you imagine how many speci¬
mens are passed by ?
My exercise consists of a daily walk of sixty blocks ; thirty of
which, I walk to mv office, starting at 8.30 o’clock in the morning,
and the balance, coming home at 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
34
THE NAUTILUS.
Every day I carry with me, a small tin box, one which I can
very conveniently carry in my pocket, in which my “finds” are
contained ; and when a morning is very damp, the result of a rain
the day before, or when a heavy fog settles over the city, then I
take with me a much larger box, inasmuch as I find that I can col¬
lect two or three times the amount of specimens that I would when
the ground is not very moist.
Some mornings I gather great quantities of Zonites lucidus
Drap. (sent to Mr. Pilsbry to be identified) while other mornings,
Agriolimax agrestis Linn, may be found very numerous. However,
the following list may be called a fair sample of the specimens I
collect, while on my daily walk.
Specimens gathered on Nov. 11, 1893. No. collected.
Helix (. Lysinoe ) niclcliniana Lea var. reticulata Pfr. 48
Zonites cellarius Mull. 3
Zonites lucidus Drap. 32
Ariolimax columhianus Gld. 5
Amalia hewstoni Cooper 13
Agriolimax agrestis Linn. 27
Limax maximus Linn. 30
Propliysaon andersoni Cooper 21
Total 179
I may add, that of the above species, although Limax maximus
Linn., has only been an inhabitant of this country for a period of
about two years, it has multiplied so greatly, that it has become a
nuisance to people who have flower gardens.
The slugs I find, generally crawl across the cement sidewalks and
walls surrounding residences, while the Zonites apparently delight
in crawling over the wooden door steps, and the Helix reticulata
prefer secluded spots in vacant lots, among the grass or under
boards. Of the last named species, I have at present, almost a
thousand specimens and of the Zonites lucidus Drap. over three
hundred specimens.
Is it not worth while then, to be “ on the lookout ” for specimens
when outwalking? One can thus see how I profit by my daily
walk.
San Francisco, Cal., March 31, 1894.
THE NAUTILUS.
35
NOTES AND NEWS.
Reversal of Cleavage in Physa. — Mr. Henry E. Crampton,
Jr., has recently studied the early stages of Physa and Limncea. In
the former the cleavage is according to the typically spiral type,
but totally reversed in direction. It will be interesting to learn
whether this is directly correllated with the sinistral form of the
adult.
On the 28th of January last, A. Th. von Middendorff, the cele¬
brated traveller and zoologist died at his home near Dorpat.
Middendorff is especially known to American conchologists as a
writer on shells of the northwest coast.
Bulimus oblongus has recently been found by Mr. H. G. Hub¬
bard, of theU. S. Agricultural Department, flourishing in St. Kitts,
where it has been introduced from Antigua by a resident concholo-
gist. This is perhaps, worth making a note of, since it has not been
found so far north, and some one hereafter may suppose it native.
Mr. Hubbard finds that a species of Tillandsia holds large quanti¬
ties of water in the axils of the leaves ; a good sized one he says
will hold a barrel of water, and this water in the mountainous for¬
ests of Montserrat has a fauna of its own. He brought an Amphi-
bulima (possibly A. patula ) and Pellicula (/ depressa) which he
found in these moist retreats. — W. H. Dall, in letter.
Pupa syngenes Pils., has recently been received by the National
Museum from Beaver Creek, Montana, (a tributary of the Little
Missouri) in the river drift. This is a new locality, I believe, and
interesting on account of its distance from the original place (Ari¬
zona). — W. H. Dall.
Note on Liparus. — When studying the apices of the Australian
land shells Panda and Caryodes, the writer had occasion to examine
those of the Australian Bulimuli belonging to the subgenus Liparus
of Albers. In this group the earlier whorls are very closely joined,
somewhat like a thimble, while in Panda they are decussated,
and in Caryodes spirally lirulate. The characters of the earlier
whorls seem to be of much greater importance than has generally
been supposed. Placostylus agrees with Liparus in the peculiar pit¬
ting. Bui. (Leucotcenius) favannii has a closely costulate apex, like
our B. schiedeanus. The name Liparus in mollusca is preoccupied
by Liparus Olivier, Entomologie, ou Hist. Nat. des Insectes, Vol.
36
THE NAUTILUS.
V, pp. 73, 283 (1807), for a genus of Rynchophorous Coleoptera. I
therefore suggest as a new name for the Australian group Both-
riembryon, the type being Bui. melo. — Pilsbry.
Spirula peronii in Jamaica. — Mr. Edvv. W. Roper reports find¬
ing a specimen of this cephalopod containing the animal, during
his recent visit to Jamaica.
Mr. F. C. Baker has been appointed Curator of the zoological
department of the Field Columbian Museum at Chicago.
The collection of shells of the late Dr. Philip P. Carpenter is
offered for sale. This is an excellent opportunity to obtain a val¬
uable and authoritatively named collection. Address Mrs. Minna
M. Carpenter, 241 University St., Montreal, Canada.
Some Arkansas Snails. — On my trip here (Fort Smith, Ark.,)
I did what I did some years ago — walked from Winslow, on the top
of the Boston Mountains, to Porter, six miles this side. I collected
quite a number of shells, and will send you some living Triodo])sis
edentcita, Stenotrema labrosum, Polygra Samjisoni and P. Jacks oni.
I got the edentcita from the top of the mountain to Rudy, a vertical
distance of 1500 feet. At the latter place they are found with the
ordinary Triodopsis inflecta. I hope you will have time to examine
the internal parts. I find that where I got the type specimens was
in Washington County, instead of Crawford; but on this trip I
gathered them in both counties. — F. A. Sampson, in letter.
The Michigan Fish Commission has commenced an investiga¬
tion of biological conditions of the Great Lakes, with especial refer¬
ence to the life history of the white fish. The work will include a
determination of the fauna and flora of Lake Michigan at Ann
Arbor, and of their vertical and horizontal distribution. This de¬
termination will be both qualitative and quantitative, and will be
particularly directed towards a study of the life history of the white
fish and lake trout. Since the life of the wrater constitutes first or
last the food of the fish in it, this determination will afford some
idea of the value of this locality as a breeding ground for fish and
of its adaptability as a planting ground for the fry. The party at
work in the laboratory will consist of various specialists, Mr. Bryant
Walker, Detroit, Mich., taking charge of the mollusca.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. iZLjftJtf AUGUST, 1894. No. 4.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
On the Orthalicus of Florida. By H. A. Pilsbry . 37
Synopsis of the Mactrid.® of Northwest America, South to
Panama. By Wm. H. Dali . 39
A Few Notes on Helix Tridentata. By A. G. Wetherby. . . .43
On Chiton Hartwegii Cpr. and its Allies. By H. A. Pilsbry. . . 45
Notices of New Japanese Mollusks. By H. A. Pilsbry. . . .47
General Notes . 48
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conch ologist’s Exchange.” We
cannot furnish these, but a liberal price will be paid for the first
five numbers of Vol. I.
ABlTBMTIglM© MANTES.
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
six months or longer.
Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
Wanted, many of the rarer U. S. A. terrestrial and marine shells.
Offered, many do, British and European, esp. small marine genera
such as Rissoa, Utriculus, etc. — Lists first.
B. Tomlin, The Green, Llandaff, nr. Cardiff, Wales.
West Coast land, fresh-water and marine shells in exchange for
other North American shells. Send lists and receive mine.
Williard M. Wood, 2817 Clay St., San Francisco, Cal.
Wanted, Strepomatidae from many localities, living specimens
sent the day collected preferred, L., F. W. or Marine in Exchange.
Strepomatidae indentified gratis. A. A. Hinkley, Du Bois, Ill.
The Nautilus
Vol. viii. AUGUST, 1894.
No. 4
ON THE ORTHALICUS OF FLORIDA.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
Thanks to the Binneys, father and son, we American malacolo-
gists rarely have anything but comparatively fair sailing when we
have occasion to work with the land mollusks of our own Country.
Only those who have spent days and months striving to unravel the
tangled threads of synonymy, striving to see a little way into the
mysteries of structure, of phylogeny
or origin, and of geographic distribu¬
tion, can rightly appreciate the debt
we owe to two men who have given
the best energy and scholarship of
their lives to the study of American
land shells.
These reflections come to me as I
think on the question of the number of
species of Orthalicus found in Florida—
a matter in which it seems to me that
Mr. Binney’s books have not been
clear.
The species of this genus (or per¬
haps better, subgenus, for structurally
it differs from Liguus only in trifling
Foridensis points) are not, tor the most part, at
38
THE NAUTILUS.
all well defined. The older authors mixed them sadly ; and we
moderns are in some danger of drawing over-fine distinctions
Still, the systematic zoologist who makes any voyages at all, must
perforce sail between Scylla and Charybdis. The great art is to
steer a middle course.
Returning to our Orthalicus, we notice that the older collectors
found only the zebra-striped forms in Florida, these being identical
with the species so common in Jamaica, and known for many years
under the names zebra Muller and undatus Bruguiere.
Some authors have attempted to establish undatus and zebra as
distinct species, but the last name was proposed for a medley of
Achatinas and Orthalicus, not including the form now known as
undatus; so it will be dropped from the lists entirely. The well-
known Florida and West Indian species is O. undatus Brug., (see
W. G. Binney’s works). It is not known from Mexico.
Besides this form, we find in a number of localities in Southwest
Florida, an Orthalicus with nearly white shell, spiral brown bands
and occasional oblique stripes, but none of the zig-zag flames so
characteristic of 0. undatus. This form was described by the writer
in 1891, as follows :
Orthalicus melanocheilus Val. (1833).
One of the most distinct species of the genus, described originally
from “New Spain” (i. e., the Middle American mainland). The
Florida specimens differ from the Mexican and Central American
in a number of characters and seem to me perfectly distinct as a
geographic variety.
0. melanocheilus var. Floridensis Pilsbry.
Shell white or slightly stained with brown, having no longitudi¬
nal zig-zag flames. The body whorl has three narrow brown bands,
the upper one often broken into spots. There is a black varix on
the penultimate whorl, and one or two on the body whorl. The
varices are generally not visible within the aperture, but the three
spiral bands are conspicuous there. Lip bordered with blackish-
brown ; columella white edged, but parietal callus deep brown.
The types of this variety are from near Cape Sable, Florida.
The synonymy of my variety includes :
Bulimus zebra W. G. Binnev, Terr. Moll. U. S. Vol. IV, PI.
lxxviii, fig. 12.
0. zebra W. G. B. & T. Bid., Land and Fresh-water Shells of N.
A., Vol. I, p. 216, figs. 370, 371.
THE NAUTILUS. 39
0. undatus W. G. B., Manual of N. A. Land Shells, p. 440, fig.
483.
Von Martens has recently expressed the opinion that “ Pilsbry’s
0. melanocheilus var. floridensis is probably a dark-mouthed variety
of 0. undatus;'’ but he had not seen a Florida specimen. The
fact is that this is one of the most distinct forms of the typical
group of Orthalicus, and if it be a variety of undatus, then undatus
will cover all of the typical group of so-called species admitted by
Crosse and Fischer, v. Martens, eh al.
II. SYNOPSIS OF THE MACTRIDiE OF NORTHWEST AMERICA, SOUTH
TO PANAMA.
BY WM. H. BALL.
Subfamily Mactrin^e.
Genus MACTRA (Linne) Lam., 1799.
Subgenus Mactroderma Dali, 1894.
Shell as in Mactra but rude, inequilateral, with a coarse epidermis,
pronounced pedal gape, the ligament set off from the cartilage but
mostly sunken, concentrated dental armature, and the anterior
arm of the right cardinal in the place of the adjacent ventral lami¬
na. Type :
Mactra (Mactroderma) velata Phil., 1848. Panama to the Gulf of California.
Subgenus Mactrotoma Dali, 1894.
Section Mactrotoma ss.
Accessory lamellae coalescent with laterals and cardinals.
Mactra (Mactrotoma) nasuta Gould, 1S51. West Columbia to Lower California.
=M. culifornica Desh., 1854, not Conr., 1837 ; -f M. hiantina
Desh., 1854 ; -\-M. ovalina Auct. not Lam. ; -) -M.falcata Weiukauff
not Gould; -\~M. fragilis Cpr., 1858, not Gmel. ; -j -M. Deshayesii
Conr., 1868 ; -\-Merope sp. Weiukauff and Spisula sp. Conrad.
40
THE NAUTILUS.
Section Micromactra Dali.
Hinge like the typical section, beaks sulcate, shell small.
Mactra (Mactrotoma) californioa Conrad, 1S37. Fuca Strait to Central America.
—M. augusta Desk., 1854 ; 4 -M. nasuta Auct. not Gould ; not M.
calif ornica Desk.
Section Simomactra Dali.
Accessory lamellte free of the laterals.
Mactra (Mactrotoma) dolabriformis Conrad, 1837. San Diego, Cal., to Guaymas,
Mexico.
Subgenus Mactrella Gray, 1853.
Section Mactrella ss.
Surface of the valves smooth.
Mactra (Mactrella) exoleta Gray, 1837. Gulf of Cal. to Guayaquil.
-\-Lutraria ventricosa Gould, 1851.
Section Harvella Gray, 1853.
Surface of the valves plicate.
Mactra (Mactrella) elegans Sby., 1825. Panama to Gulf of Cal.
4- M. pacifica Conr., 1868.
Genus SPISULA Gray, 1837.
Type M. solida L. Gray, 1847.
Subgenus Hemimactra Swainson, 1840.
Section Mactromeris Conrad, 1868.
7 a. ’
Spisula (Hemimactra) polymyma Stm., 1860, var. alaskana Dali, 1894. Icy
Cape to Neeah Bay. (See eastern list for synonymy). Is2-C 0 &
Spisula (Hemimactra) catilliformis Corn-., 1867. Neeah Bay to San Diego.
-\-Standella californica Cpr., Auct., non Conr.
Spisula (Hemimactra) Hemphillii Dali, 1894. San Diego.
Spisula (Hemimactra) planulata Conrad, 1837. Monterey to San Diego. Not
planulata of Cal a. authors.
THE NAUTILUS.
41
Subgenus Symmorphomadra Dull, 1894.
Teeth of Madrotoma, ss. ; hinge of Spisula.
Spisula (Symmorphomaotra) falcata GUI., 1850. Cornox, Br. Col. to San Pedro,
Cala.
Genus MUL1NIA Gray, 1837.
Mulinia pallida Brod. A Sby., 1829. Panama to C. St. Lucas.
+ J/. donaciformis Gray, 1839, not of Reeve, 1854 ; -j -M. angulata
(Gray) Reeve, 1854; -\~M. carinulata (Desh.) Reeve, 1854, (young
shells) ; ?— 31. goniata Deslu, 1854, (unfigured and insufficiently
described) ; -j-il /. bistrigata Morch, 1862.
Mulinia modesta Dali, 1894. Guaymas, Mexico.
-j -M. carinulata Cpr. non Deshayes.
Mulinia Gabbi Tryon, 1S69. Lower California.
Mulinia coloradoensis Dali, 1894. Gulf of California, at Guaymas and thence to
the Colorado-mouth.
Mulinia coloradoensis var. acuta Dali, 1894. Colorado river-mouth, Gulf of Cali¬
fornia.
Mulinia Bradleyi Dali, 1894. Panama, Bradley.
Genus GNATHODON Gray, 1831.
I
Subgenus Rangianella Conrad, 1863.
Gnathodon (Rangianella) mendicus Gould, 1851. Estuaries, Gulf of Cal.
-\-G. trig onus Petit, 1853 ; -\-G. truncation Petit, 1853.
Subfamily Pteropsin^e.
Genus LABIOSA (Schmidt) Holler, 1832.
Labiosa anatina Spengler, 1802. West Mexico.
r L . peUucida Schum., 1817 ; -\-M. cyprinus Gray, 1828 ; -j -L.
papyracea (Lam.) Sby., 1824.
Subgenus Raeta Gray, 1853.
Labiosa (Raeta) undulata Gould, 1851. San Pedro, Cala., to Panama.
-fi-R. calijornica Melvill, as of Sowerby.
42
THE NAUTILUS.
Subfamily Lutrariin.e.
Genus TRESUS Gray, 1853.
-) -Cryptodon Conrad, 1837, not Turton ; -Schizothcerus Conrad,
1853, (about three weeks after Gray) ; type :
Tresus nuttallii Conrad, 1837. Sitka to San Diego, Cal.
-j -Lutraria maxima Midd., 1849, non Jonas, 1844 ; -| -L. capax
Gould, 1850 ; -| -L. inflata Dunker, 1853.
Genus DARINA Gray, 1853.
Darina declivis Cpr., 1865. “ Vancouver;” “Forbes;” fide Cpr.
Doubtful or spurious West American species of Mactrid^e.
There is no typical Mactra or Spisula known from the Pacific
Coast.
Mactra angusta Desk., 1854, from the Gulf of California as figured
by Reeve, resembles a refined M. californica Conr. Wein-
kauff’s figure is undoubted californica Conr. not Desk. I have
not seen authentic specimens.
Mulinia bistrigata Morch, 1861, appears to be a mere color variety
of M. pallida.
Mulinia Gabbi Tryon, is stated to have come from Lower Califor¬
nia, but has not since been reported from there. It is very
close to the South American M. exalbida Gray, and as M. exal-
bida is found near Panama it may reach California.
Mactrella subalata Morch, 1861, was described from a single worn
valve obtained at Realejo, Costa Rica. This was probably a
ballast shell or one in some way transported from the Atlantic
Coast. Caribbean shells are taken to Panama and other Pacific
ports for sale to visitors, as I have personally experienced.
Mactrella alata, of which subalata is a pure synonym, has not
been authenticated from the Pacific where it is replaced by M.
exoleta Gray.
M. ( Mactrella ) lacinata Cpr., 1856; Panama, Bridges; is probably
a Mulinia, notwithstanding its reference to Mactrella. Its
small size (0'7 in.) points toward immaturity. It has not been
THE NAUTILUS.
43
figured or sufficiently described to enable it to be referred to its
proper place in the family.
Lutraria Sieboldii Deslu, 1854; “Vancouver Id., Kellett”; is a
Japanese species, with which L. lucida Gld., 1861, (a young
shell) is probably synonymous.
Darina declivis Cpr., 1865, has not been found by any collector on
the N. W. coast since reported from a collection alleged to
have been made by Dr. Forbes, R. N., but which had passed
through the hands of a dealer. The same lot contained a
shell described by Dr. Carpenter under the name of Saxidomus
brevisiphonatus, which also has not subsequently been discover¬
ed in the region.
[Errata. July Nautilus at foot of p. 28, should read: Mactra
Cumincjiana “Bush,” Zool. Rec., 1885, from Cape Hatteras, is a
lapsus of the Recorder for Madia Cumin giana .]
April 15, 1894.
A FEW NOTES ON HELIX TRIDENTATA.
BY A. G. WETHERBY.
I have recently received from Mr. Pilsbry his Critical List of
Mollusks collected in the Potomac Valley. Proc. Acad. Sci., Phila.,
1894, pp. 11 to 31, with plate.
This is a valuable and interesting contribution from this inde¬
fatigable worker. But he has again dropped into the business of
adding latin names to varieties of our common shells, so that we
now have from Say’s species no less than three trinominal relations,
viz., H. tridentata edentilabris ; H. tridentata juxtidens and H. tri-
dentata frandulenta. I propose, in this note, to briefly review this
case, as Mr. Pilsbry, having the spirit of the true naturalist, has
kindly opened his pages for that purpose.
This species, though exhibiting so many variations, due to differ¬
ences of station, or to inherited race proclivities, has always a gen¬
eral facies that marks it well. No student of our land shells need
ever or does ever, mistake it for anything else. It cannot be con¬
founded with H.fallax Say, though Dr. Binney believed them to be
identical ; nor is there any other North American species, worth any¬
thing as such, that need be taken for it. Now with this fact well
44
THE NAUTILUS.
before us, I wish to use this criticism of these unnecessary names to
illustrate the suggestions as to labeling such shells, made in my
notes on H. cippressa in the June Nautilus. The chief forms of
H. tridentata in my collection are the following :
The type, from many localities in many States ; I need not cite
them here.
A variety found under the shingle and waste of the limestone
cliffs about Cincinnati. This shell is characterized by its very light
color, horny texture, polished appearance, comparatively few and
little impressed striae, and the aperture of Vilsbry’s juxtidens.
A variety found on Braden Mt. in Campbell Co., Tenn., of very
large size, very much depressed, deeply sculptured and with the
denticles little developed and remote.
A smooth variety from Whitley Co., Ky., with polished surface,
striae very little impressed, aperture nearly circular, almost with¬
out denticles.
A variety from Putnam Co., W. Va., very small, with all the
mouth parts approximated, but not like Pilsbry’s fraudu/enta.
This is a most interesting form, and as widely separated from the
last as it well could be.
A variety from Cherokee Co., N. C., with all the characters of
juxtidens but with the mouth parts cupped like H.fallax.
Now I do not hesitate to affirm that in these lots are every gradation
necessary to unite them with the type. This is a matter of the eye simply-
Now what shall we do ? Shall we label the first form H. tridentata
polita, the second H. tridentata edentilabris or what not, and so on
to the end, or shall we say for the first H. tridentata Say, var. Cin¬
cinnati, O., and for the second H. tridentata Say, var. Campbell Co.,
Tenn. ? and so on to the end. The first method loads up our liter¬
ature with trinominal designations of varieties that fix a limit just as
rigid as a specific name. The second method is in accordance with
nature and the facts in the case. They are varieties, uniting each
other, through the gradations in each, with the type. What is a
“ subspecies ” t I undertake to say that there is no such thing in
nature whatever. We may have species; we certainly have no
“ subspecies .” The moment the specific line is passed, if any exists,
that instant we are in the realm of variations, inhabited only by
varieties. To name these varieties is to make types of them as
rigid as the specific type itself. If not, why name them f If so, why
THE NAUTILUS.
45
call them varieties or “ subspecies endeavoring in this way to
dodge a dangerous breaker?
As the humblest student of these beautiful and variable forms of
molluscan life, I shall not cease, upon every opportunity, to enter
vigorous protest against these inversions of the natural order in
development.
As there are no such things in nature as subspecific or varietal
barriers, so there should be none in the literature devoted to her
record.
Here may the educated finer sense, the critical insight, the intense
love of truth, the most unbounded capacity for labor, the acumen
derived from the union and cultivation of all these, find wholesome
employment and scope for all legitimate ambitions.
This is better than erecting obstructions in this highway of the
omnipotent, that must crumble of their own inherent falsity.
Magnetic City, N. C.
ON CHITON HARTWEGII CPR. AND ITS ALLIES.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
In the “ Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” for
1855, Dr. P. P. Carpenter described a number of West American
Chitons, now mostly well known to western naturalists, among them
C. Hartwegii and C. Nuttalli. The descriptions though concise are
excellently worded, leaving no doubt of the exact forms intended ;
for Carpenter was an adept in the art of writing diagnoses. In his
later publications on the shells of this fauna, the systematic position
of these species caused Carpenter some trouble ; for he refers them
to both Trachydermon and Cheetopleura ; and the difficulty of plac¬
ing them in either of these genera caused the present writer to
make a new group, Cyanoplax (in allusion to the color of the
interior), to contain them. There cannot be much doubt that
Cyanoplax is a subgenus of the Carpenterian genus Trachyuer-
mon. The species Hartwegii was founded upon specimens collected
at Monterey by Hartweg (whom Carpenter is pleased to call
“ diligentissimus ”). The type measured about 31x19 mm. (l'26x*76-
46
THE NAUTILUS.
inch), and agreed in its rather long and narrow form and impressed
sutures with fig. 85 of plate 14 of the Manual of Conchology.
The Nuttalli (named in honor of the naturalist whose name is so
familiar to botanist, concliologist and ornithologist alike) was col¬
lected at the same locality, and was stated to differ in being wider,
depressed, the valves squared where they join the girdle, the latter
not projecting between them to form deep sutures. The type meas¬
ured about 261x20 mm. This is the form figured by me on pi. 14,
fig. 84 of the Manual.
It is not at all difficult to pick out specimens of this short, broad
form, or of the longer, narrower form, even more pronounced in
character than Carpenter’s types ; but trouble begins when we come
to the intermediate examples. In one lot of 18 specimens recently
received from Miss Shepard, 6 are typical Nuttalli; 8 are more or
less typical Hartwegii ; but it would puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer
(or conchologist either) to tell what the other specimens are. The
same extremes and intermediates occur in many other trays of
specimens I have seen from various localities ; so that one cannot
doubt that the two forms named by Carpenter are merely the varia¬
tions of one species, and are not correlated with differences of station
or geographic range.
All of the specimens are dull greenish, gray or even black, the
lighter forms generally having a row of dark blotches on each side
of the dorsal ridge; and seen under a lens, all are minutely but
sharply granulated, with coarser granules scattered irregularly over
and among the smaller ones, especially on the lateral areas; and
they are all rather deep colored inside, varying from “ Robin-egg ”
to “ Catbird-egg” blue.
Some months ago, the writer received from Mr. W. J. Raymond,
fourteen specimens of Cyanoplax, which differ so markedly from the
species discussed above that that they must form a distinct species.
After reaching this conclusion the shells were put aside, for one is
slow to describe new littoral shells from so well worked a locality as
middle California; but renewed study of them convinces me of the
necessity of the step.
Trachydermon (Cyanoplax) Raymondi n. sp.
Shell longer and narrower than T. Hartwegii. Back somewhat
keeled, varying in elevation. Color (1) olivaceous green mottled
with white, sometimes with dark lateral streaks as in Hartwegii,
TIIE NAUTILUS.
47
sometimes ruddy at the ridge, or (2) uniform blackish, or (3) dark
brown, uniform or with whitish flecks.
Valves rather strong, slightly beaked when unworn, the posterior
(sutural) margins straight or slightly concave. Intermediate valves
rather rounded where they join the girdle, scalloping the inner bor¬
der of the latter ; not distinctly divided into areas. Lateral areas
hardly or not raised (the diagonal being indistinct) evenly sculptured
with minute, equal granules. Central areas also evenly sculptured
throughout with similar granules, slightly finer on the ridge. End
valves with the same ecptal sculpture, the tail valve with the mucro
central and a little projecting.
Interior light blue, with darker stains at bases of the sutural lam¬
inae and behind the rather strong blue white valve callus. Sinus
and sutural laminae as in Hartwegii. Slits in valve i, 8 ; valves ii-vii,
1-1; valve viii, 11; teeth of end valves blunt, thick, but not distinctly
bilobed. All teeth longer than the narrow, porous eaves.
Girdle narrow, black or with small whitish spots, leathery, very
minutely papillose.
Length 23, breadth 11 mm. (type; San Francisco).
Length 121, breadth 7 mm. (Bolinas specimen).
Habitat, San Francisco, Bolinas, Purissima, San Mateo Co., Mon¬
terey, with typical Hartwegii.
Specimens from the first three localities were collected by Mr. W.
J. Raymond, who has seen them from Monterey also.
This is a longer species than T. dentiens Gld., with heavier valves,
less apparent diagonal, and much longer, thicker teeth. It differs
from T. Hartwegii (to use Mr. Raymond’s words) in being (a)
“ narrower and smaller than southern Hartivegii (Monterey to San
Diego) with which alone I have been able to compare them from
the material at hand ; (6) the color of the inside is lighter blue
than in Hartwegii; (c) I cannot make out the warty sculpture,
which you emphasize in the description of Hartwegii.’' Moreover,
the teeth are much longer than in Hartwegii, from which the finer,
even granulation well distinguishes T. Haymondi.
NOTICES OF NEW JAPANESE MOLLUSKS.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
Clausilia (Stereophsedusa) Stearnsii n. sp.
Shell elongated, regularly tapering, the next to the lact and the
48
THE NAUTILUS.
last whorl widest, the latter hardly contracted below ; moderately
solid, closely, lightly striated, the striae wanting on the earlier
whorls, more distinct and spaced on the latter part of the last
whorl. Color opaque purplish-brown. Whorls 12-13, but slightly
convex, separated by a shallow, simple suture. Aperture contained
4? to 4§ times in length of shell ; peristome reflexed, whitish,
slightly thickened, not adnate; superior lamella strong, extending
to the lip-edge; inferior lamella deep-seated, parallel to the superior,
invisible from the front ; subeolumellar lamella extending to lip-
edge, bounded by grooves; palatal plicce two, the upper one long,
second rather short, with a thin white subvertical callus below it,
which is strengthened below into a low bar.
Alt. 31, greatest diameter of last whorl above aperture 5 mill.
Alt. 26, greatest diameter of last whorl above aperture 5 mill.
Yaeyama (Okinawa), Loo Choo Is. (Fr. Stearns).
Believing this species to be new, I sent examples to Prof. Dr. O.
Boettger, the great authority on these shells, and received the fol¬
lowing emphatic confirmation of my opinion: “Die Clausilia von
Okinawa ist ohne jeden Zweifel n. sp. Es ist eine StereojjJicedusa
und steht in der Mitte zwischen japonica Crosse und brevior v.
Mts.”
No similar form has hitherto been reported from the Liu Kiu
group, the nearest allies of the species being Japanese. It is named
in honor of my friend Frederick Stearns of Detroit, who has
contributed so largely to our knowledge of the Japanese fauna.
The specimens vary considerable in length, but not in other char¬
acters.
GENERAL NOTES.
Mr. Wm. B. Marshall, who has been doing good work in the
department of Zoology of the New York State Museum (Albany),
has accepted the chair of Biology in Lafayette College, Easton,
Penn a.
The peculiar shell described in the June Nautilus as Perostylus,
proves to be the larval form of Fusus proboseidiferus. A paper on
the subject will appear in the September number.
SEP-lO IM4
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
/•M/v THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H . A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. SEPTEMBER 1894.
No. 5.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
Remarks on the Status of Species and Subspecies. By H. A. Pilstry. 49
Types of Anodonta Dejecta Rediscovered. By Chas. T. Simpson. . 52
Descriptive Notices of New Chitons, V. By H. A. Pilstry. . . 53
Isaiah Greegor . 56
Notes and News . 57
Notices of Publications Received. . 58
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
ii THE NAUTILUS. f ' ^ .
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologist' s Exchange .” We
cannot furnish these, but a liberal price will be paid for the first
five numbers of Vol. I.
ABVEMTISIN© MATES.
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
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Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
Wanted, many of the rarer U. S. A. terrestrial and marine shells.
Offered, many do, British and European, esp. small marine genera
such as Rissoa, Utriculus, etc. — Lists first.
B. Tomlin, The Green, Llandaff, nr. Cardiff, Wales.
West Coast land, fresh-water and marine shells in exchange for
other North American shells. Send lists and receive mine.
Williard M. Wood, 2817 Clay St., San Francisco, Cal.
Wanted, Strepomatidae from many localities, living specimens
sent the day collected preferred, L., F. AV. or Marine in Exchange.
Strepjomatidae indentified gratis. A. A. Hinkley, Du Bois, Ill.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in Mitra, Marginella, Aspergillum, Melania, Unio, etc. Wanted:
Land shells. MtssLinter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
For Exchange, shells and curios from the Gulf Coast of
Florida. Send for list. Mrs. Albert S. Mears, John’s Pass,
Florida.
SEPlO 1894
The N autilus.
VOL. VIII.
SEPTEMBER, 1894.
No. 5
REMARKS ON THE STATUS OF SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
In several articles published in recent issues of this journal, a con-
chologist as well known for his wide experience in the field as for
the vigor and point of his fluent pen, has been at some pains to
criticise certain work by the writer, on American land shells.
Several newly named varieties of well known shells are particularly
obnoxious to my good friend ; and in another place1 he attacks the
recent systems of classification of land shells, darkly hinting at
certain tabulated results which he fancies would astonish system-
atists. Now in view of the amount of ink wasted over the questions
of species, varieties and classification, it may be worth while
to point out a few of the facts in the case ; to show the futility of
arguing on the abstract question of species, and incidentally to call
attention to some of Mr. Wetherby’s mistakes in dealing with cer¬
tain varieties described by myself.
Mr. Wetherby says: “we may have species; we certainly have
no subspecies.” Now tbe truth is that Nature knows nothing of
“species ” or “ subspecies,” but only individuals. All groups of in¬
dividuals are conventional and artificial. Were the record of paleon¬
tology complete, almost the entire mass of living individuals would
be found to be connected throughout by intermediate forms. Not
only would most of the species intergrade, but the genera, families
'Land Shells of Roan Mt. and Vicinity, Journal C’in. Soc. N. H.
50
THE NAUTILUS.
and orders likewise. I say “ most ” because some would not inter-
grade ; for contrary to the old adage, nature does sometimes jump.
The theory of descent, and the connection of distinct, recent species
by their extinct ancestors being admitted, we may next inquire what
convenient artificial limits may be erected to defined the “ species; ”
for all scientific investigation would be at a stand still if we have no
names whereby to designate the various organisms about us. Prob¬
ably the only definition of any use is that a species is any assem¬
blage of similar individuals of presumably common ancestry, which
cannot be connected by living intermediate specimens with other
groups of individuals. It is the break in the chain which allows us
to constitute the species ; and whether this break be wide or narrow
is of little importance so long as no recent organisms intermediate
in characters are known.2 However this idea may be worded, there
is no possible foundation for species on any other basis. Now, many
species, especially those having a wide range of distribution, show in
some parts of their range considerable modifications usually correl-
lated with peculiarities of climate, soil, or other factors known or
unknown of their environment. These modifications are often
sufficient for specific separation were it not for the fact that in some
localities the links connecting the extreme forms occur. We have
here species in process of making, waiting only for the extinction
of the intermediate individuals or for the further intensification of
the differential characters, to become full-fledged specific types. It
is obvious that science must take cognizance of these incipient
species, if it is to be a true record of nature; and for this reason
“ subspecies ” or “ varieties ” are recognized. Of course they “ run
into ” each other in some part of their range, otherwise they ivould
be species. To ignore these varietal forms would be not removing
obstructions from “ the high-way of the Omnipotent ” as Mr. Weth-
erby says, but a piece of the most pedantic falsity. The far-reach¬
ing importance of these local or geographic “ subspecies ” will be re¬
cognized when we understand that in them we have the material of
future species in the making. We have moved away from the Dar¬
winian conception that species have arisen from favorable variations
of occasional individuals, preserved by the action of natural selec¬
tion or “survival of the fittest” ; and now we see much reason to
believe that the whole mass of individuals over a given area of
changed or changing conditions, is simultaneously remoulded, not
2The question of hybrids need not be considered here for obvious reasons.
THE NAUTILUS.
51
I > y individual variations (which must usually be quickly effaced by
interbreeding with normal or differently modified individuals), but
bv the steady action on the entire mass of the factors of climate,
elevation, food-plants, currents and other quantities of the complex
equation unknown to us.3
Mr. Wetlierby proposes to avoid the use of subspecific or varietal
names by the circuitous method of writing the locality after the
specific name. He would say “ H. tridentata Say, var. Campbell
Co., Tenn.” “ H. tridentata var, Cincinnati, O.” “ H. cereolus var.
Sanford, Fla.” etc. Now the disadvantage of this system is that it
tells absolutely nothing to the man who has no specimens from those
exact localities, without a detailed description of the shells in each
case. Moreover, Mr. Wetlierby would write “ H. appressa var.
Woodville, Ala.” for both II. appressa perigrapta and II. sargent-
iana, two very dissimilar forms. Who would know which one he
meant to indicate? The trinomial system on the other band offers
a convenient, concise, readily understood index to geographic and
local races. When one says “P. cereolus septemvolva ” the idea is con¬
veyed as exactly and much more concisely than by saying “ P.
cereolus large var. St. Augustine,” for unless one has specimens from
this locality he would not then know just what was meant. Again,
were one to say “ P. cereolus small var. Sanford, Fla.” nobody could
tell whether the variety found there wTas that with an internal lamina
(P. cereolus carp enter iana) or without a lamina (P. cereolus volvoxis').
Now what is the use in all this circumlocution when we have so
convenient a system of nomenclature as the trinomial system,
already in practical use in other departments of zoology.
Having discussed the abstract questions at issue at such length,
we can devote but little space to the particular cases cited by Mr.
Wetlierby ; but this is the less needful because what we wish to estab¬
lish is the great importance of subspecies in general, not of any partic¬
ular one of our own naming. We may, however, re-affirm the
3 One of the most potent causes of specific or varietal differentiation has
been the glacial epoch, which undoubtedly caused a southward movement of
the entire northern fauna. Upon the recession of the ice sheet the species
thus driven south found themselves exposed to changing climate and food-
plants in their new home. Those following the retreat of the ice found the
topography, soil and drainage systems of their former area in the north vastly
changed. What wonder that we find many geographic subspecies ! And shall
we shut our eyes to the results upon our snails of the action of these cosmic
forces, these manifestations of the < hnnipoteni ?
52
THE NAUTILUS.
reality of the distinction between the mass of southern, and the
northern specimens of P. appressa. The northern shells described
by Say have no incised spirals whatever, and the upper lip-tooth is
frequently developed. The southern specimens (which we have
called P. appressa perigraptd), have spiral incised lines more or less
developed, and the upper tooth is wanting in the vast majority of
cases. When it is present, as in the Cherokee Co., N. C. examples
mentioned by Mr. Wetherby, I would regard it as an interesting
case of reversion.
As to Polygyra tridentatci, Mr. Wetherby has not read my paper
with sufficient care to see my meaning. He attacks my P. fraudu¬
lent, but says in the next sentence that P.fallax is perfectly distinct
from tridentata. The truth is that Helix fallax of Wetherby and
other modern authors and collectors is identical with my fraudulenta !
The true H. fallax of Say is identical with H. introferens Bland, as
I have already stated in this journal and elsewhere. So my critic
discredits and affirms the validity of this form in one article! As
to P. tridentata edentilahris, Mr. Wetherby has evidently never seen
it. The var. juxtidens is a well-known form. I believe it to be a
distinct line of differentiation, well worth attention and recognition
by name.
I have not referred in this article to the large class of individual
variations such as is shown in the banding of many Helices. This
mode of variation is often repeated, different species having parallel
modifications. The mutations are frequently not inherited, any of
the forms giving birth to numerous others, as is the case with the
band-varieties of Helix nemoralis. This tendency to “ sport ” in all
directions is a totally different thing from the moulding of an entire
race explained above ; and its products cannot usefully be given
varietal names. They are best expressed by formula; devised to
cover entire classes of such variations.
TYPES OF ANODONTA DEJECTA REDISCOVERED.
BY CHAS. T. SIMPSON.
In making a final arrangement of the general collection of Union-
idee of the National Museum I found the other day among some
THE NAUTILUS.
53
Unios, Lewis’ types of Anodonta dejecta. The species was furnished
by Dr. H. C. Yarrow, Surgeon and Naturalist of the Wheeler Ex¬
pedition, and was said to have come from the Arkansas or its tributa¬
ries, west of the 100th meridian. The lot consists of three broken
valves, two of them forming a normal pair but very much distorted.
I saw in a moment that the shell I named Anodonta mearnsiana
in the Nautilus, Vol. VI, no. 12, p. 134 was the same, and my
name will therefore have to be relegated to the synonymy.
Lewis described his species in Field and Forest, Vol. 1, nos. 3 and
4, page 26, and in Wheeler’s Report upon Geographical and Geo¬
logical Explorations and Surveys West of the One Hundredth Meri¬
dian, vol. V, Zoology, p. 952, 1875, but did not figure it.
I am almost certain that the locality given by Dr. Yarrow is
wrong, as the specimens collected by Dr. Mearns were from San
Bernandino Ranch, Arizona, out of waters that drain into the
Colorado River of the West. A very large number of specimens
were sent, and there can be no doubt as to where they were found.
It would indeed be a strange thing if this species was obtained
from two places seven or eight hundred miles apart, in two distinct
drainage areas. As the locality given for Lewis’ species is rather
vague, and a large amount of the collections of the Wheeler Expe¬
dition were made on the Pacific slope it is quite probable that the
types of A. dejecta came from the Colorado drainage basin.
Washington, D. C., Aug. 1st, 1894.
DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF NEW CHITONS, V.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
Ischnochiton ptychius n. sp.
Shell small, oval, moderately elevated, with fine and distinct
though rather obtuse dorsal keel and slightly convex side-slopes;
bright flesh-pink, with afewT white dots along the sutures, and creamy
angular patches on the outer portions of the pleura of some valves,
the girdle dull flesh-colored with indistinct whitish mottling in some
places.
Median valves short, the posterior outlines slightly concave, with
the beaks but slightly indicated. Lateral areas slightly raised, each
54
THE NAUTILUS.
divided by one curved radial groove in front of the middle of the
area, with one or several shorter, less distinct grooves in front of it ;
concentrically sculptured with coarse, low, irregular wrinkles, which
make the sutural margin feebly dentate. Central areas finely and
minutely sculptured with irregularly zigzag transverse, vermiculate
subgranose wrinkles, which are broken into granules on the ridge,
and are puncticulate, the outer portions of the pleura more coarsely
wrinkled. Valve i having weak radial grooves and concentric
wrinkles. Valve viii with central, low, mucro, the posterior
slope somewhat concave ; sculptured like the head-valve but more
obsoletely.
Interior rose-pink, fading to white on the sutural laminae. Sinus
wide, notched at the bases of the sutural laminae; eaves narrow and
distinctly porous. Median valves with 1-1, tail valve 16 slits ; teeth
sharp, very distinctly crenulated at the inner edge.
Girdle wide, densely clothed with scales which are weakly
striated, and measure about one-seventh of a millim. in width, and
imbricate inward and backivard.
Length 11, breadth 8 mm.
Hub. St. Vincent Gulf (Bednall).
A peculiar little species, shorter than most Australian Ischnochi-
tons, and wrinkled much as in I. striolatus Gray. In the individual
before me there are creamy patches at the outer ends of valves iv,
v, vii and viii ; on the last valve there is some olive-green variegation
of the cream color.
Chiton (canaliculatus var. ?) tricostalis, n.
Allied to C. canaliculatus Q. & G. (-f insculptus Ad. and stangeri
Rv.) and C. discolor Souv. (-) -miniaceus Cpr.), but having fewer
radial riblets on end valves and lateral areas than the first, and more
elevated than discolor, with projecting, more backward-hooked
mucro on the tail valve.
Shell oblong, elevated, acutely keeled with nearly straight side
slopes. Color variable, either (1) uniform chrome yellow, or (2)
olivaceous mottled finely with white, with some white patches on the
lateral areas, the outer halves of the pleura blackish, girdle oliva¬
ceous with cream-white bars opposite the sutures.
Median valves a trifle beaked, the posterior (sutural) margins
nearly straight. Lateral areas well raised, having three radial
tuberculate riblets, the middle one shortest ; tubercles rounded and
spaced on front two ribs, closer and compressed on the posterior rib,
THE NAUTILUS.
55
where they denticulate the sutures. Rarely a fourth very short rib
is indicated on some valves. Central areas having a smooth dorsal
band of about the same width in front and behind, or somewhat
wider in front. Pleura having 14-15 longitudinal riblets, narrower
than their intervals, the inner 1 to 3 on each side not reaching to
the anterior margin of the valve. Head valve with 17-19 radiating
tuberculate ribs. Posterior valve elevated, the mucro projecting,
posterior slope concave. Interior milky bluish, the sutural laminse
white.
Girdle densely clothed with imbricating finely striated scales,
shaped like those of Chiton Sinclair i and measuring about one-third
of a millim. in width.
Length 17, breadth 9 mill.; an olivaceous, variegated specimen
is somewhat larger.
Hub. St. Vincent Gulf, S. Australia (W. T. Bednall).
This form differs from C. muricatus in the shape of the girdle
scales. It is more roughly sculptured than C. canaliculatns, with
the girdle-scales different in form, although they are about the same
width ; and with a different pattern of coloring, although in this
respect all the allied forms of the canaliculatus group vary a good
deal. The smooth dorsal band is wider than in canaliculatus.
It is somewhat doubtful whether this should be considered a geo¬
graphic variety of the New Zealand species or an independent
species. It is at all events closely allied to the C. canaliculatus,
although actual connecting links between the two are unknown to
me. The detail figures given in volume xiv of the Manual of Con-
chology (pi. 36, f. 4, 6) excellently represent the sculpture of C.
canaliculatus, being drawn from a specimen furnished by Professor
Hutton.
Chiton aereus var. calliozona n. var.
Shell oblong, elevated, the dorsal ridge acutely keeled, side-slopes
straight; light olive-green, with a few concentric lighter streaks
upon each valve, and obscure dusky-green longitudinal streaks on
each side of valves ii and vi, less conspicuous on iii and v. Poste¬
rior (sutural) margin of valves i to vii articulated or tessellated,
being painted with alternate white and brown oblique spots. Girdle
buff, paler on the outer half of its width, variegated with transverse
bars of crimson and black scales mingled with the buff ones; about 10
bars on each side.
56
THE NAUTILUS.
Median valves scarcely beaked, the posterior outline of each con¬
cave. Lateral areas raised, sculptured with two or three radial
grooves, becoming more numerous toward the bases, and inconspic¬
uous growth -striae. Central areas having a wide smooth triangle in
the middle; sculptured hi front of each diagonal slope with narrow,
spaced impressed longitudinal grooves , not half as wide as the inter¬
vals, and which form a sculptured band, increasing but little in
width outwards. Toward the beaks of each valve these grooves dis¬
appear entirely, but are replaced by distinctly painted green lines,
very curiously simulating the grooves. Anterior valve with about
28 convex radial riblets, some split at base. Posterior valve with
subcentral subprominent mucro, and slightly concave posterior
slope, weakly radiated. Interior pale blue, the sutural laminae
white. Sinus very narrow.
Girdle densely clothed with very convex, shining, polished solid
scales, those in the middle of its breadth largest, measuring, six-tenths
mill, in width.
Length 38, breadth 18 mill, (exclusive of girdle).
Hab. St. Vincent Gulf (W. T. Bednall).
I have not much doubt that this shell is a form of Reeve’s cereus,
but the coloration is different, the number of riblets on the pleura is-
not nearly so great. Mr. E. A. Smith has united cereus to the Mediter¬
ranean C. siculus ( =olivaceus ), but I can hardly endorse such a
lumping of forms from totally different areas.
ISAIAH GREEGOR.
We have heard with deep regret of the death of Mr. Isaiah
Greegor, which occurred on the 26th of July at his home, Cuyahoja
Falls, Ohio.
Mr. Greegor was not only an extensive dealer in shells, but also
an ardent and earnest Conchological student. Though for many
years engaged in a business requiring strict attention and skilful
management, he never allowed this to interfere with the promptings
of his generous heart ; a fact which was constantly exemplified by
his timely suggestions and gifts of specimens to friends and others
engaged in Conchological pursuits. He also took much interest in
the completion of the American Association’s collection. His last
THE NAUTILUS.
57
gift to this, — some two months ago, was a number of Florida species ;
among them a suite of Strombus alatus Gmel., remarkable for their
very large size and brilliant coloring ; the latter ranging from the
brightest crimson to the deepest purple. The presentation of this
suite gave him a great deal of pleasure, and we shall never forget
his gratified expression when he saw them safely placed.
How little did he then think that his eyes rested upon them for
the last time !
“ We mourn him dead, yet is he living.”
[Communicated. ]
NOTES AND NEWS.
Trachydermon Raymondi in British Columbia. — Mr. C. F.
Newcombe has found this species abundant at Victoria, on exposed
headlands, its stations being similar to those of the Nuttallinas. It
was formerly confused by collectors of that district with Tv. dentiens,
young Mopalia lignosa, and young Nuttallina scabra. The occur¬
rence of the latter species in British Columbia is extremely doubt¬
ful. Tmchydermon raymondi will probably prove to have the dis¬
tribution of Nuttallina californica, Ischnochiton mertensii and Ton-
icella lineata.
Note on Orthalicus melanocheilus floridensis. — In the
reference to Land and F. W. Shells, N. A. (foot of p. 38) “ fig. 371 ”
should be omitted. That figure represents a shell from the Sierra
Madra, and shows the conspicuous dark oblique stripe in the aperture
characteristic of typical melanocheilus, and the spirals are very faint
there. A good figure of the Florida shell has been given by Mr.
Binney in “ Fourth Supplement T. M. V,” pi. 2, f. 4.
Agriolimax campestris in New Mexico. — Mr. A. Boyle has
given me a specimen of Agriolimax campestris which he found in his
garden at Santa Fe, about 7100 ft. above sea level. The specimen
is pale brown, with a pale grey unicolorous sole. So far as I know,
this is the first slug recorded from New Mexico. — T. D. A. Cockerell.
July, 1894.
New Method of Preventing Cracking of Anodons. —
Eds. Nautilus : All collectors are aware of the trouble we have
58
THE NAUTILUS.
in preserving Anodons. No matter how good they may be, they
won’t stay so if they can only get to split up in pieces. Last
spring a fish pond here was drained and I obtained a good lot of
very fine large Anodonta fiuviatilis. I washed them clean on
Saturday and put them aside to dry, and Avhen I came back
Monday morning they were having a regular “ pic nic ” splitting
and popping. So I just gave them a bath of thin white shellac and
alcohol and they have been behaving well ever since. I send you
some specimens that you may see the effect it has on them.
Frank Burns, Washington, D. C.
[The specimens are still in good condition, and the plan is worth
a further trial. The principle is that the shellac forms an impervious
layer over the epidermis, preventing that evaporation of water from
the latter which causes it to contract and break the thin calcareous
layer. The shellac should therefore be applied as soon as the
surface of the mussel is dry. Its main disadvantage is in the arti¬
ficial gloss which it gives the shell, which would prevent its use on
lusterless specimens. If the shellac is very thin it does not effect
the appearance of glossy shells like A. fiuviatilis. — Ed.]
Errata. — A typographical error occurred in the July number of
the Nautilus and I desire to correct same. In the article “My
Daily Walk ” on page 34, the second line under the list of species
collected, I notice the ninth word should have read as “ county ” and
not “ country.” — Williard M. Wood.
NOTICES OF PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.
Natural History Notes from North Carolina (Papers nos.
2 and 3) by A. G. Wetherby (from the Jour. Cincinnati Soc. Nat.
Hist.). In these papers on “ The Land Shells of Roan Mountain and
Vicinity ” the author enumerates fifty-four species with interesting
notes on each. A parasitic species of Diptera is here recorded in¬
festing Zonites clliotti and Polygyra fustigans. — C. TP. J.
Geographic and Hypsometric Distribution of North Amer¬
ican Vi vip arid as by Prof. R. Ellsworth Call (from the Amer¬
ican Jour, of Science for August). This interesting article is accom¬
panied by a map showing the distribution of each species. lhe
THE NAUTILUS.
59
author recognizes two species of Tulotoma (magnified and coosaensis),
four of Vivipara ( contectoides , intertexta, subpurpurea, troostiana ),
two Lioplaces, and nine species of Campeloma. The main facts of
the distribution and station of each species are stated, largely from
the authors own wide experience in the field. It would be unrea¬
sonable to expect any discussion of synonymy in a paper of the
scope of this one, but even if Prof. Call could prove the specific
identity of Vivipara contectoides with georgiana, wareana, etc., why
should he use the latest instead of the earliest name for the species ?
—J. & P.
Dr. Wm. H. Dall has recently issued a “ Monograph of the
Genus Gnathodon, Gray (Rangia Desm.).” In this essay the
priority of the name Gnathodon for the group is demonstrated ; the
anatomy of both soft and hard parts is described, and the species are
discussed and figured. Dali concludes thaL Gnathodon does not con¬
stitute a distinct family near Cyrenidce, as Fischer has it, but that it
belongs without doubt to Mactridce and is probably an off shoot from
the Mulinia stock. The range of the genus is “ Subtropical Amer¬
ica, the Gulfs of California and Mexico, in shoal quiet water, vary¬
ing from salt to fresh, but preferably somewhat brackish; range in
time from the newer Miocene to recent seas.” Three sections are
adopted, Gnathodon typical, Miorangia Dali and Rangianella Conr.
G. cuneatus Gray is the commonest species in collections (often under
the name Rangia cyrenoides ).
The Mollusca of the Paris Mains. — M. Locard has been
making some very interesting studies of the mollusks of the water-
mains of Paris, from which he has collected forty-four species belong¬
ing to thirteen genera, among which several species are described as
new to science. These are, however, only slight varieties of well
known species. Among other peculiarities of this strange fauna he
notes four marked modifications, due to their environment, in which
they differ from the types in the waters from which these mains are
supplied. These are : [1] A diminution of size, due to the absence
of light ; [2] a decrease of marked coloration, due to the same cause ;
[3] decided modifications of form, generally producing a lengthened
shell, due to the mechanical action of a steady and rapid current;
[4] difference of general appearance, the polished, brilliant shell
being developed with regularity in a constant medium. The last
two peculiarities may be noticed in the shell life of those streams in
tropical countries which in the shaded mountains are constant ; as
60
THE NAUTILUS.
differentiated from the formation and appearance of members of the
same species found in the periodic streams of the open plains, which
disappear with each recurrence of the dry season.
On the Jamaican Species of Veronicella, by Prof. T. D. A.
Cockerell and R. R. Larkin. (Journ. of Malac. Ill, pt. 2, 1894).
The material discussed in this paper consists of 18 specimens, all
referred to V. sloanii, from Jamaica. These were dissected and
their characters carefully noted. The conclusions reached are of
much value to investigators of this difficult genus. “The results
obtained are quite remarkable and tend to throw doubt on the
validity of several characters hitherto used for the separation of
species in the genus * * * The specimens show great differences
from one another, so that by selecting a few of the most distinct
forms, several apparently good species might be described. Yet we
believe that the whole series represents the variations of but one
species, V. sloanii, and that V. virgata Ckll. must be reduced to
V. sloanii var. virgata. * * notwithstanding so much variability,
the species as now defined should be easy of recognition. The
following characters appear to be quite constant and of specific
value in V. sloanii. (1) The under-side is always free from spots
or markings of any kind, whereas occidentalis Gldg. from the Lesser
Antilles, has some spots below. (2) The sole never projects from
behind the body, as it does in one or two of the continental species.
(3) The filiform glands are less than 10 mill, long, whereas in
dissimilis and floridanus they are considerable longer. (4) The
penis is always long, cylindrical, with the end slightly bulbous and
the orifice terminal. It thus entirely differs from that of such
species as V. portoricensis. (5) The filiform glands are always
more than 10 in number thus differing from V. morchii and V. dubia.
(6) The female orifice is always post median, thus differing from
the continental V. nigra, etc.”
The characters of size and shape, distance of female orifice from
head and sole, size of penis and splitting of its retractor, number
and length of filiform glands etc., were found to vary within wide
limits, and their several variations were not correllated in the
different organs, so that no dependence could be placed upon the
various combinations presented for specific distinctions. Color,
contrary to the opinion of some authors, seems useful in some cases.
The whole series examined is systematically tabulated ; and the
only thing lacking in this admirable paper is illustration. Still,
this is a lazy complaint when all is so clearly described.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. OCTOBER, 1894. No. 6.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
The American Species of Carychium. By Henry A. Pilsbry. . . 61
List of Shells from the Vicinity of Mingusville, Montana. By
Homer Squyer. .......... 63
Note on Helcioniscus nigrisquamatus Reeve, Sp. By Geo. W. Taylor. 66
Perostylus, the Embryo of Megalatractus. By H. A. PiLbiy. . 67
Catalogue of Land Shells of Long Island, N. Y. By Henry Prime. 69
General Notes . 71
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
a
THE NAUTILUS.
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologist’ s Exchange.” We
cannot furnish these, but a liberal price will be paid for the first
five numbers of Vol. I.
A11TBKTISIM© HA'TEtSa
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
six months or longer.
Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
West Coast land, fresh-water and marine shells in exchange for
other North American shells. Send lists and receive mine.
Williard M. Wood, 2817 Clay St., San Francisco, Cal.
Wanted, Strepomatidae from many localities, living specimens
sent the day collected preferred, L., F. W. or Marine in Exchange.
Strepomatidae indentified gratis. A. A. Hinkley, Du Bois, Ill.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in Mitra, Margmella, Aspergillum, Melania, Unio, etc. Wanted;
Land shells. MissLinter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
For Exchange, shells and curios from the Gulf Coast of
Florida. Send for list. Mrs. Albert S. Mears, John’s Pass,
Florida.
Helix alanda, II. amplecla, and many other land, fresh-water and ma¬
rine shells; in exchange for shells from any locality, send lists and receive .
mine. Morris Schick, 2410 Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Offered — A short list of Maine shells. Desired — Land-shells.
Rev. Henry W. Winkley, Saco, Maine.
The Nautilus
VOL. VIII.
OCTOBER, 1894.
No. 6
THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF CARYCHIUM.
BY HENRY A. PILSBRY.
The genus Carychium contains some of the smallest land mollusks
known. The shell is cylindrical or high conical like that of Pvpa,
but the lack of eye-stalks and the form of the lingual teeth show the
genus to belong to the family Auriculidte, a group best known in
America by the salt-marsh inhabiting Melampus. The species of
Carychium, like other Auriculidse, are terrestrial in habit, living
among damp leaves or wood. The genus contains about 15 recent
species, distributed over nearly the whole northern hemisphere.
In The Nautilus for 1891, vol. iv, p. 109, the writer gave a brief
notice of the United States forms of the genus. Subsequent study
resulted in a synopsis of the group, which was published in Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1891, p. 318, with plate xiv. With a view of
enlisting the services of conchologists in the needed examination of
more material from various parts of the country, this synopsis is
here reprinted. Information is needed to establish the range of the
various forms, particularly in the West and South, and also the
variations of the several forms. Only the collection of specimens
from points geographically intermediate between the extremes of the
range of this genus, and the examination of such material by a
competent person, can finally decide the question of the number of
naturally defined species, and which, if any of them, must be con¬
sidered geographic races or sub-species.
THE NAUTILUS.
THE NAUTILUS.
63
Carychium exiguum Say. Figs. 1, 2, 3.
Shell cylindrical , the last two whorls of about equal diameter.
Whorls 4j. Aperture decidedly over one-third the total altitude.
Outer lip sinuous, moderately thickened, very strongly arcuate at
its upper outer portion.
This is the common East American form, ranging from Maine
southward and westward, the limits of its range not exactly deter¬
mined as yet.
Carychium exiguum var. Mexicanum Pilsbry. Figs. 7, 8, 9.
Shell cylindrical. Whorls 4h Aperture equal to, or a trifle ex¬
ceeding one-third the total altitude of shell. Outer lip thickened at
and below the middle by a very heavy deposit of callus upon its face.
Lower fold of the columella sub-obsolete. Surface delicately striated.
Orizaba, Mexico.
Carychium occidentalis Pilsbry. Figs. 4, 5, 6.
Shell distinctly conical, tapering. Whorls 5. Aperture very
oblique, larger than in C. exiguum, the outer lip flatly expanded,
thin, not at all thickened on its face.
Portland, Oregon, is the only locality from which I have seen
this species.
Carychium exile II. C. Lea. Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
Shell elongated. Whorls 5-5 i. Aperture small, very oblique,
about one-third the length of the shell. Outer lip more or less thick¬
ened. Surface closely, regularly and very distinctly striated.
Eastern Pennsylvania (H. C. Lea) ; Kent, Ohio (Geo. W. Dean).
Lea found this form on the Wissahickon Creek, near Philadelphia,
but I have not been able to rediscover it there.
Carychium exile var. Jamaicensis Pilsbry. Figs. 15, 16.
Much elongated, similar to C. exile, but the surface smooth, not
perceptibly striated.
Jamaica.
LIST OF SHELLS FROM THE VICINITY OF MINGUSV1LLE, MONTANA.
BY HOMER SQUYER.
Many of the smaller forms were picked out of fine river drift
found along the banks of Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Little
Missouri, after the subsidence of the freshets.
64
THE NAUTILUS.
The occurrence of Pupa syngenes Pils., previously known only
from Arizona, and of Planorbis umbilicatellus Ckll., described and
reported only from Manitoba, are especially interesting. Many of
the forms were identified at the National Museum by Messrs. Dali
and Simpson, while Dr. Sterki has kindly named the Pupidce and
Vallonias. Mingusville is two thousand six hundred and forty-five
feet above sea level.
HELICACEA.
Family ZONITIDJE.
Vitrea arborea Say; worn var., approaching V. breweri Newc.
Vitrea radiatula Alder, rare.
Conulus fulvus Drap., one specimen.
Pseudohyalina minuscula Binn.
Pseudohyalina Iceviuscula f Sterki. Close to vars. of minuscula.
Pseudohyalina conspeda Bland.
Family ENDODONTIDJE.
Pyramidula striatella A nth.
Family HELICID2E.
Vallonia gracilicosta Reinh.
V. gracilicosta var. close to costata Say.
Vallonia perspediva Sterki.
Vallonia pulchella Mull.
Family PUPID.E.
Pupa muscorum L.
Pupa blandi Morse.
Pupa blandi var. edentata ; one specimen.
Pupa syngenes Pilsbry. Eight more or less perfect specimens.
Pupa holzingeri Sterki.
Pupa armifera Say.
Pupa pentodon Say.
Pupa decora Gould.
Vertigo ovata Say.
Vertigo binneyana Sterki.
SUCCINEACEA,
Family SUCCINEIDJE.
Succinea avara Say.
Sucdnea obliqua Say.
THE NAUTILUS.
65
Succinea grosvenori Lea.
Succinea lineata Binn.
LIMNiEACEA.
Family LIMN.iEID.iE
Limncea palustris Mull.
Limncea bulimoides Lea.
Limncea humilis Say.
Limncea caperata Say.
Planorbis bicarinatus Say.
Planorbis lentus ? Say ; young shells only.
Planorbis parvus Say.
Planorbis umbilicatellus Cockerell ; (P. umbilicatus Taylor, Leeds
Journ. Conch. IV, p. 351, 1885, not of Muller, 1774). Described
from Manitoba.
Family ANCYLIDiE.
Ancylus rivularis Say, one specimen.
Family PHYSIDJE.
Physa gyrina Say, young only.
Physa ancillaria Say.
Physa heterostropha Say.
Physa lordi Baird.
PELECYPODA.
Family CORBICULIDJE.
Sphcerium sulcatum Lam.
Pisidium compressum Prime.
Family UNIONIDJE,
Anodonta plana Lea, young.
Anodonta ovata Lea, young.
Only one perfect and adult specimen of Planorbis umbilicatellus
was obtained in the river drift. It is readily distinguished from
P. parvus Say by its narrow funnel-shaped umbilicus and higher,
somewhat beveled whorls. It was first collected in Manitoba by
R. M. Christy, Esq., and described by Taylor under a name al¬
ready widely known in the literature though generally regarded as
a synonym of one or another Linnean species. It was re-named by
Cockerell, in the Conchologist’s Exchange, November, 1887, p. 68.
(W. H. D.).
66
THE NAUTILUS.
NOTE ON HELCIONISCUS NIGRISQUAMATUS REEVE, SP.
BY GEO. W. TAY'LOR.
I have recently received from Mr. Frederick Stearns of Detroit a
number of shells collected by himself and labelled as follows :
“ Patella boninensis , Bonin Is.”
“ Patella stearnsii.”
“ Patella near stearnsii, Japan, 1892, only 8 found.”
“ Patella nigrisquamata (?), Loo Choo Is., Yacyama Is.”
“ Patella nigrisquamata (?), a var., Japan, 1892.”
All the specimens sent are, in my opinion, referable to a single spe¬
cies which has long had a place in my cabinet as H. nigrisquamatus
Reeve.
Reeve’s locality for this species was “ Australia,” but this has
never been confirmed and is doubtless an error. The same I think
must be said of the additional locality, “ Concepcion Chili,” given
by Mr. Pilsbry (in the Manual, XIII, 126), on the authority of Dr.
W. S. W. Ruschenberger, for we cannot concede to any limpet a
range so extensive as from Japan to Chili, and Japanese shells of
which I am now writing are certainly true nigrisquamatus if figures
and descriptions count for anything. I may add as negative evi¬
dence of a certain value that of several thousands of limpets from
Chilian and Australian localities that have passed through my
hands, I have never seen a specimen, young or old, approaching
this species.
With regard to P. boninensis, the differences on which Mr. Pils¬
bry relies are 3 in number (see Man. Conch. XIII, 132). The first
geographical; but as nigrisquamatus has not been found in the same
habitat as the original specimens of boninensis this distinction no
longer holds. Secondly, the size of the central callus; but such a
difference would hardly be specific, taken by itself, I should think,
and moreover, it is not apparent in the series before me. Lastly,
Mr. Pilsbry notes the brown streaks diverging from the head seg¬
ment of the central callus. These marks, however, are present in
some of the specimens sent as nigrisquamata and absent in others
sent as boninensis, showing either that the original collector was un¬
able to separate his shells accurately or else that the distinction is
not a constant one.
THE NAUTILUS.
67
As to P. stearnsii, if the shells sent to me by Mr. Stearns are con-
specific with the type specimens named and figured (from his col¬
lection) by Mr. Pilsbry, then in my opinion stearnsii is only a
young form of nigrisquamata and I suspect (from the description)
that Patella grata of Gould is the same shell. I am, therefore, in¬
clined to write :
Helcioniscus nigrisquamatus Reeve (Patella), 1854.
= ? P. mazatlandica Sowb., 1831 .
= P. grata Gould, 1859.
= P. boninensis-j-P. Stearnsii Pilsbry, 1891.
Habitat: Japanese Seas, Stearns; “Australia,” Reeve, error;
“ Chili,” Ruschenberger, ? error.1
PEROSTYLUS, THE EMBRYO OF MEGALATRACTTJS.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
In a former number of this journal (June, 1894) the writer
proposed a new genus, Perostylus, for the Cerithium ( Co Una) bra-
zieri Tryon and another supposed new species. Upon the appear¬
ance of the paper describing these forms, I was informed by my en¬
cyclopedic friend, Professor Theodore Gill that the type of the new
group had been shown by Professor R. Tate to be the embryonic
portion of “ Fusus ” probosddiferiis. Some time after, the article by
Tate, published in the Proc. Linnean Society of New South Ay ales
(Australia), Second Series, Vol. VIII, pt. 2,2 p. 244, came to hand.
In reference to Cerithium ( Volina ) Brazieri , Professor Tate writes :
“The above named gastropodous shell is described in Tryon’s Manual
of Conchology,Vol. IX, p. 142, and illustrated t. 26, fig. 16. The oc¬
currence of Colina in the Eocene beds of Victoria has led me to a study
of the recent species, and in doing so I was arrested by the unlike-
1 Mr. Taylor is unquestionably right in considering Helcioniscus boninmsis
a synonym of nigrisquamatus Rv. I had satisfied myself of this by the exam¬
ination of the National Museum collection some years ago. He errs, how¬
ever, in placing II. stearnsii in the same category as it is a totally distinct
thing. Mr. Taylor probably had the young II. nigrisquamata before him, as
so acute an observer could hardly confuse stearnsii with the other species. —
Ed.
2 Issued March 12, 1894.
68
THE NAUTILUS.
ness of Tryon’s figure, as above quoted, to other members of the
genus ; moreover, the shell seemed familiar to me, and if I am
right in my identification it is nothing more than the embryo of
Fusus proboscidifertis, of which I have examples from Port Essing-
ton. The apical whorls of that shell are often decollated, hut in
some specimens there remains sufficient of the apex to permit one to
arrive at the opinion just stated.”
If any further evidence is needed to demonstrate the true nature
of Perostylus, it is supplied by Mr. Edgar A. Smith of the British
Museum (Natural History), who writes to me as follows :
“The presence of a fine series of Fusus proboscidiferus Lamarck
in the British Museum Collection, ranging from the very young
state up to the adult form, enables me to show that Perostylus is
merely the apical portion of the spire of that immense West and
North Australian shell.
“ The late Capt. Beckett brought from the Dampier Archipelago
a number of specimens of this species besides a fine mass of the egg-
capsules containing the young shells in large numbers. These
agree exactly with the description and figure of P. brazieri (Tryon)
and P. for dicmus Pilsbry, as given by the latter author. The num¬
ber of whorls in specimens from the same compartment of the
mass of capsules is variable from four to six, and the length of
the rostrum and canal is also subject to slight variation. Some
specimens are also considerably broader than others. We have in
the museum collection a specimen corresponding in size with Swain-
son’s figure1 of Fusus aruanus (— probocidiferus ) with the apical
whorls still remaining intact. Another example is nine inches in
length and still retains the nucleus, but in all the larger shells this
part is broken off.’
“ The apical portion of Turbinella pyrum is also very similar,
but a close examination reveals the incipient characteristic colu-
mellar folds.
“ In the description of Perostylus the apex is said to be decollated
like that of Rumina or Cylindrella. Whether this is really the
the case has yet to be proved by further observation. There cer¬
tainly is every appearance of there having been an embryonic shell
which has become detached, but it is also certain that this takes
Exotic Conchology.
It is broken off in all the specimens in the Philadelphia collection. — P-
THE NAUTILUS.
69
place within the egg-capsule, at an early stage of the creature’s ex¬
istence, for no such nucleus is attached to any of the specimens in
the egg-capsules at hand which are of the same size as the shells fig¬
ured by Mr. Pilsbry.”
In conclusion it should be stated that Fusils proboscidiferus has
been made the type of Meg alatr actus, a subgenus of Hemifusus
(, Semifusus Fischer !), by Fischer. There are good reasons for giv¬
ing the group generic rank. It certainly does not belong to Fusus,
the embryonic whorls being very different from those of the typical
species of that genus. Neither can it be referred to Hemifusus as
Fischer has done.1 Perostylus will, of course, become a synonym of
Fischer’s group.
CATALOGUE OF LAND SHELLS OF LONG ISLAND, N. Y.
BY HENRY PRIME.
The time in making this collection embraces a number of years
and I think it to be rather complete, having left no stone (or log)
unturned in searching for the species. Mesodon cdbolabris and thy-
roides are dwarfed, and Taehe a nemoralis does not compare as to
size with those from Europe. The sea air may have something to
do with this. The soil is of a sandy nature, as a rule, not adapted
to the growth of sand snails.
Hyalinia arborea Say. Coldspring; Greenport ; East Hamp¬
ton ; Huntington ; Prospect Park, Brooklyn ; Astoria ; Myrtle
Ave. Park, Brooklyn ; Lloyd’s Neck ; Centerport.
Hyalinia binneyana Morse. Huntington.
Hyalinia cellaria Mull. Astoria.
Hyalinia indentata Say. Huntington.
Hyalinia milium Mors\ Huntington.
Hyalinia nitida Mull. New Lotts.
Limax agrestis Mull, Jamaica; Brooklyn; Huntington; Cen¬
terport.
Limax campestris Binn. Lloyd’s Neck; Whitestone; Center-
port.
1 Manuel de Conch, p. (523.
70
THE NAUTILUS.
Limax flavus Linn. Huntington. Was introduced in egg state
among mushroom spawn. Brooklyn.
Limax maximus Linn. Brooklyn.
Patula alternata Say. Richmond Hill ; Lloyd’s Neck.
Tebennophorus carolinensis, Bose. Lloyd’s Neck.
Pallifera dorsalis Binn. Lloyd’s Neck.
Helicodiscus lineatus Say. Brooklyn ; Huntington ; Lloyd’s
Neck ; Centerport.
Pupa contracta Say. Huntington ; Lloyd’s Neck.
Pupa corticaria, Say. Huntington.
Pupa fallax Say. East Marion ; Coldspring. At Coldspring
this species was at one time quite abundant among the brick (of
what was left of a house cellar); these being removed the colony was
broken up !
Pupa pentodon Say. Huntington.
Vertigo milium Gld. Coldspring.
Vertigo ovata Say. Shelter Island; Greenport ; Coldspring;
Huntington ; East Marion ; Myrtle Ave., Prospect Park, Brook¬
lyn ; Centerport.
Strobila labyrinthica Say. Huntington ; Lloyd’s Neck ; Cen¬
terport.
Triodopsis introferens Bid. New Lotts. Two specimens were
found without the animal, might they have been the playthings of
some children ?
Mesodon albolabris Say. New Lotts ; Huntington ; Oyster Bay
Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Mesodon thyroides Say. Lloyd’s Neck ; Prospect Park, Brook¬
lyn ; Astoria ; Huntington ; New Lotts; Richmond Hill.
Vallonia pulchella Mull. Huntington; Centerport; Coldspring;
Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Tachea nemoralis. Yellow, plain, Flushing ; yellow, 2 bands,
Astoria ; yellow, 4 bands, Flushing. A colony existed sometime
since on Lloyd’s Neck, but that locality being used as a public
picnic ground, they in time removed.
Punctum minutissimum Lea. Coldspring.
Succinea avara Say. Coldspring.
Succinea aurea? Lea. Peconic.
Carychium exiguum Say. Huntington ; Centerport.
Melampus bidentatus Say. Lloyd’s Neck; Huntington; White-
stone ; Coney Island ; Eaton’s Neck.
THE NAUTILUS.
71
GENERAL NOTES.
With the cooler weather of autumn conchologists will find in¬
door operations once more agreeable, and all who have availed
themselves of the past season for adding to their knowledge of mol-
lusk life or to their cabinets of specimens should try to share their
harvests with others by telling of the interesting experiences in the
field, of the occurrence of uncommon species or varieties, or the
turning up of well known ones in new localities. Frequently ran¬
dom observations on the life habits of one or a few species are valu¬
able. Who knows where most of our marine or laud snails lay their
eggs, how many there are, their form and size? And yet this is a
vital point in the life of the species; and there are hundreds of
others, some of which are sure to come to the knowledge of every
collector. The difficulty is that such facts are too often esteemed of
less worth than a fine lot of shells, and so are forgotten and left half
seen or unrecorded. A collector’s note-book should be as valuable
as his cabinet, especially if the knack of sketching living animals,
etc., is cultivated.
We hope that each of our readers will give us some fart, or ob¬
servation which has been made his or her own, during the past
summer. Short notes dealing with single topics are always wel¬
come, and have the advantage of being published promptly. Such
a magazine as this one is always co-operative, and the more each
gives, the more each receives. If anything you have seen interests
you it is likely to be of value to others : but being interested one’s
self is a good test of what makes good reading. Meantime the edi¬
tors will try do their part. In future, more attention will be given to
notices of current literature of conchology than has been our custom
in the past ; and it is of course understood that our pages are freely
open to all opinions, entirely regardless of those held by ourselves.
The Junior Editor of the Nautilus will be away from Phila¬
delphia for some time after the middle of October, as he contem¬
plates a palaeontological trip to Alabama.
Note on Helix gossei. — As the identity of this species is some¬
what obscure, it may be well to clear it up in this place. Helix
gossei was first described by Pfeiffer in the Proc. Zook Soc. Loud.,
for 1846, p. 37, the description being repeated in Monographia, I,
p. 30. In the later Conchylien Cabinet, Helix, p. 219, Pfeiffer de-
72
THE NAUTILUS.
dared it to be a mere color variety of H. subconica C. B. Ad., de¬
scribed in 1845, and the figure he gives of his type amply confirms
this opinion. In the Conchylien Cabinet, a few pages further on,
Pfeiffer describes and figures a “ Helix gossei C. B. Adams MSS.”
This name, of course, cannot stand, being preoccupied by that prior
H. gossei of Pfeiffer himself, and this decision is not affected by the
fact that Pfeiffer’s first gossei is a synonym. This gossei of (C. B.
Ad.) Pfr., I consider a race or variety of H. nemoraloides C. B. Ad.,
1845, and it is practically covered by C. B. Adams’ H. pulchrior,
1851. It is this form which caused Messrs. Simpson and Hender¬
son some trouble in Nautilus for May, 1894, p. 5. The conclu¬
sion is that neither of the “ gosseis ” can stand, the first gossei of
Pfr. being a synonym of subconica, and gossei C. B. Ad. MS. of Pfr.
(later) becoming a synonym of H. nemoraloides var. pulchrior. —
Pilsbry.
Helices carried by birds. — “From the throat of Balhis pec-
toralis Mr. J. A. Thorpe of the Australian Museum extracted the
snail I now exhibit. This is a specimen of Chloritis jervisensis
Quoy and Gaimard, a species common in this neighborhood, whose
almost adult and uninjured shell measures 18 mm. in diameter, and
which weighed, shell and animal together, P26 grammes. When
found by Mr. Thorpe, to whom I am indebted for both facts and
specimen, the snail was quite dead ; as a test I immersed the ani¬
mal in strong spirits without inducing contraction ; since, however,
its consumer had been killed forty hours earlier, the suffocation of
the mollusc was to be expected. The bird was shot at Randwick,
near Sydney, on the 19th May, 1894, by Mr. Newcombe, Deputy
Registrar-General. In enumerating “ Means of Dispersal,” Dar¬
win observes (Origin of Species, 6th ed. p. 372): ‘ A bird in this
interval [eighteen hours] might easily be blown to the distance of
500 miles, and hawks are known to look out for tired birds, and
the contents of their torn crops might thus readily get scattered.’
In view of the above incident, this suggests a means whereby the
geographical range of jervisensis might be considerably extended.”
— Charles Hedley, in Abstr. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, May 30,
1894.
Prof. H. E. Sargent who has been pursuing biological studies
at the Chicago University, has returned to Woodville, Ala.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII NOVEMBER, 1894. No. 7.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
Description of A New Species of Doridium from Puget Sound. By
W. H. Ball. . 73
Editorial Correspondence from Alabama. . 74
Polygyra (Stenotrema) Hirsuta on Long Island. By A. H. Gardner. 75
Eastport Notes. By Rev. Henry W. Winkley . 78
The Habits of Florida Littoral Mollusks. By Jostph Willcox. . 79
New Forms of Western Helices. By H. A. Pilsbry . 81
Notes and News . 82
Recent Publications . 83
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Vol. III. May, 1889 to April, 1890, . $1.50
Vol. IV. May, 1890 to April, 1891, . 1.00
Vol. V. May, 1891 to April, 1892, . 1.00
Vol. VI. May, 1892 to April, 1893, . 1.00
Vol. VII. May, 1893 to April, 1894, . 1.00
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologist' s Exchange .” We
cannot furnish these, but a liberal price will be paid for the first
five numbers of Vol. I.
MA*fESa
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
six months or longer.
Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
-exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
Land, freshwater and marine shells to exchange for others.
iSend lists and receive mine.
Chas. S. Hodgson, Albion, Ills.
To exchange for other species, sea or land, Ano suborbiculata
Say, corpulenta Cpr. and many other Unionidse. Send list and
receive mine. W. S. Strode, M. D., Lewistown, Ill.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in • Mitra , Marginella , Aspergillum, Melania, Unio, etc Wanted:
Land shells. MissLinter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
For Exchange, shells and curios from the Gulf Coast of
Florida. Send for list. Mrs. Albert S. Mears, John’s Pass,
Florida.
Helix alanda, H. arnplecta, and many other land, fresh-water and ma¬
rine shells; in exchange for shells from any locality, send lists and receive
mine. Morris Schick, 2410 Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Offered — A short list of Maine shells. Desired— -Land-shells.
Rev. Henry W. Winkley, Saco, Maine.
The Nautilus
VOI- VIII.
NOVEMBER, 1894.
No. 7
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF DORIDIUM FROM
PUGET SOUND.
BY W. H. BALL.
Among specimens of mollusks collected in Puget Sound by the
Young Naturalists’ Association of Seattle, Wash., and forwarded
for identification by Prof. O. B. Johnson, was a species of Doridium,
a genus new to the region, and detected by Miss AdellaM. Parker,
in whose honor, at the request of the society, it has been named.
The specimens were dredged in 80 fathoms at Eagle Harbor, Puget
Sound.
Doridium adellse n. sp.
Animal naked, about 16 mm. long, of a dark plum color, mottled
with fine vermiculate spots of golden yellow; general form that of
D. carnosum Cuvier, but with a shorter velum, half as long as the
body and transversely truncate behind; the posterior free portion of
the mantle short, obscurely bilobed, and without a flagellum ; front
edge of the velum slightly excavated ; parapodia wide, the sole
slightly longer than the body; shell internal, subconical, white
covered with a brownish epidermis ; pillar strong, reflected with a
deep grove outside of it, the basal end projecting spurlike; nucleus
small, depressed.
The shell is more conical and the cycloid wall of it narrower than
in D. carnosum, and the excavated pillar much more prominent.
74
THE NAUTILUS.
See Ann. Mus. de Marseilles, Zool. t. II, p. 45, pi. 2, figs. 42-44,
1885.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALABAMA.
The following paragraphs from a letter received from the junior
Editor of the Nautilus, written from Claiborne, Alabama, under
date of Oct. 18th, will be of interest to our readers :
“* * * I arrived here [Claiborne] last evening, seven days
out from Selma. While waiting fora train at Selma, I took a stroll
along the river. The steep bank of bluish gray clay, probably forty
or fifty feet in height, tempted me to look for fossils. A small
Ostrea, or Gryphcect, a Pecten resembling Camptonedes burlington-
ensis, and several parts of a large Inoceramvs told me it was creta¬
ceous. But the specimens were too scarce and poor to warrant the
expenditure of much time. From Selma I went by train to Catha¬
rine, and thence to Prairie Bluff.
“ It is at the latter place that the collector of cretaceous fossils is
in his element. The bluff is over one hundred feet high, and in one
place slopes gradually, giving one a good opportunity to collect.
Fine large specimens of Exogyra costata and Gryphcect, vesicularis
were abundant. The shells of the latter were unusually thick and
the lower- valve very convex. Perfect specimens of Plicatula urti-
cosa were also common. Finely preserved casts and, in many cases,
the shells of numerous species of Gastropods, were abundant. Ex¬
ceptionally numerous were: Anchura spirata, Turritella encrinoides,
Rostellites texturatus, Pyropsis sp. , Natica abyssina and Lunatia Halli.
Of the Cephalopods, I found Nautilus DeKayi, Baculites ovatus and
Ammonites sp., in fair numbers.
“At Matthew’s Landing, ten miles below Prairie Bluff, is the first
good exposure of strata containing Eocene fos.-ils. They are well
preserved and very interesting, many that I found being new to the
Philadelphia collection, Cardita, Area, Volutilithes, P/eurotoma,
being some of the principal genera. I found the spire of a large
and handsome conch, reminding one of Melougena corona, except
that the projections on the angles of the whorls are nodulose instead
of spinose, but I looked in vain for a perfect specimen.
On the west bank of the river, a short distance below Clifton,
are high bluffs of indurated blue clay, and I found the first (and
THE NAUTILUS.
75
last, so far) Strep omatulce of the trip, Goniobasis solidula Lea. The
bank below the water-line was covered with them. In many places
little springs trickled down the bank, and in these they were to be
found to a height of twelve feet above the river level. Notwithstand¬
ing the very low stage of the river, I have seen no living Unionidce,
and only a few worn and faded valves on Burford’s Bar.
“In the the bluff at Peach Tree there is a narrow stratum of
ferrugineous sand containing a few Eocene fossils. Monday, the
15th, was spent at Gregg’s Landing, four miles below Peach Tree.
As there were no accommodations there for staying over night, we
made every minute tell. It is a fascinating spot; great masses of
a hard fossiliferous sandstone in which Turritella mortoni and Ostrea
compressirostris predominate, and which has come from an upper
stratum seventy or eighty feet above the present water-line,
lay strewn along the base of the cliff, reminding one of Potomac
Creek, Ya. In the lower fossiliferous stratum, of a dark, indurate,
sandy clay, Cardita planicosta, Cucullcea sp., Turritella hvmerosa,
Turritella sp. and Ca/yptnephora trinodosa, were the conspicuous
ous forms.
“Bell’s Landing, five miles below Gregg’s, was next visited.
The fossils were similar to those found at Gregg’s, but among them
were many rare species — rare in collections and rare at Bell’s
Landing.
“ It was indeed singular how many uniques of some very inter¬
esting forms I found here. The stratum referred to above was also
present here, but the upper one was for the most part a soft sand,
and contained a greater number of species. As it was impossible to
work the upper stratum in place, and as both were mixed together
in the talus at the base of the cliff, I found it impracticable to
keep the fossils of the two separate. I have not had time to hunt
for land shells, but from appearances it seems somewhat unfavor¬
able. On the blufis it is extremely dry, while the lowlands are
subject to overflow. To-morrow I go to work at the Claiborne
fossils. Yours sincerely,
“Chas. W. Johnson.”
POLYGYRA (STENOTREMA) HIRSUTA ON LONG ISLAND.
BY A. H. GARDNER, FORT HA Mil, TON, L. I., N. Y.
In the October number of the Nautilus I noted a catalogue of
the land shells of Long Island, N. Y., by Mr. Henry Prime, which
76
THE NAUTILUS.
seems, from my own investigations, to be very accurate. I venture,
however, to supplement the same with a species hitherto unrecorded
amongst the annals of the mollusk fauna of Long Island, and exist¬
ing in what I believe to be a very circumscribed area. Most of the
species Mr. Prime records I have found in localities other than those
he names, and from his more extended investigations and those of
his predecessors, Messrs. Temple Prime and Sanderson Smith —
ranging over nearly the entire island — I am inclined to believe that
the species of which I am about to write is to be found in but one
locality, the one in -which it was first discovered.
During the early spring of 1891 a colony of Stenotrema hirsuta
was accidentally discovered by my friend, the late Mr. James Arm¬
strong, a naturalist residing in Bay Ridge, L. I.; they were found in
a small patch of woods, or rather, a small thicket, laying at right
angles to a good-sized wood, at what is now 13th Ave. and 74th St.,
Brooklyn. The situation was a good one, being shady, and the
ground covered with small fragments of boulders cast there at some
past time from the surrounding fields. It had been undisturbed
for years, as the position of the stones testified to ; the leaves of
many summers had fallen, decayed, and left their remains amongst
the interstices in the form of a rich, dark mould.
The surrounding woods, for there are (or were) several in this
immediate vicinity, had been thoroughly searched, both by myself
and Mr. Armstrong, for many previous years, with a view of col¬
lecting specimens of the land mollusca, and had yielded to active
and close search examples of Helix ( Mesodon ) cilbolabris and
thyroicles, Zonites arboreas and indentatus, Helieodiscus lineatus>
Strobila labyrinthica, Vertigo JBollesiaua and milium, but never a
trace of the Triodopsis or Stenotrema groups, which, moreover, had
never been noticed before by either of us in Long Island. Steno¬
trema hirsuta is at all times a rare shell in this part of the country.
I know but of one specimen, collected at Highbridge, N. Y. City,
and have heard of a few specimens being found on Staten Island
by the late Dr. Hibbard, on the palisades of New Jersey. I have
found them, but even there they are exceedingly scarce.
Now in this particular locality they abounded, and a very large
quantity of specimens was procured.
The question arises how or by what means were they introduced.
Evidently they were not the survivors of a species that had once
flourished there, as in that case at least dead shells would have
THE NAUTILUS.
77
been found elsewhere near the locality. The large quantities found
would point to their having been native to the place for a long
period of time. Why they had not spread is not strange when their
habits are considered : they are slow in movement and retiring,,
loving to adhere to the under side of a stone, where moisture can.
be procured in the hot days of summer. Surrounded by conditions
favorable to their existence, they neither seek nor require change
of locality.
It is easy to account for the introduction in any place of a new
plant or insect. The influence of the wind will scatter spores or
seed vessels over a vast area ; whilst when the locomotive powers of
insects are considered, both aerial and terrestrial, it needs but a
new condition, generally the scarcity of food, to cause an immediate
migration, bounded only by arrival at the nearest spot indicated by
instinct as the place where more suitable conditions exist, necessary
to the preserval of life and development. But in the case of a
snail, and especially such a slow moving one as S. hirsuta, it is
different; to such an organism transition over an extended distance
would be an impossibility, that is to say, by its own natural
powers.
The only theory possible to solve this question is that they were
carried there either as snails or the spawn of snails by some out¬
side influence which we can only attribute to a winged animal
capable of covering an extended distance continuously ; for exam¬
ple, a hawk or other bird of strong flight may have left the Pali¬
sades of the Hudson river with dirt adhering to its claws containing
the embryo “hirsuta,” and winging its way across river and land,
alighted on a tree at this spot, and in the process of perching,
scraped oft’ dirt and snail spawn, which dropped amongst the stones
below. And again, the bird may have swallowed the S. hirsuta ,
and as it is a globular shell and of very hard substance, it may have
escaped the grinding of the stones in the oesophagus, passed through
the digestive organs, and been ejected at the locality with other
excrement, and there perpetuated the species.
At any rate, this appears the only agency by which the species
can have been introduced, and unless the same can be distinctly
refuted, it forms a theory illustrated by the present example of the
diffusion of certain forms of molluscan life over a continent — an
agency probably uncommon and rarely put in force by the strange
workings of Mother Nature.
THE NAUTILUS.
N. B.* — This locality has been recently invaded by civilization in
the form of an electric road passing near it, bringing its attendant
blessings (?), houses and their inhabitants. But as yet the colony
exists; I collected specimens there as lately as last September.
EASTPORT NOTES.
BY REV. HENRY W. WINKLEY
Chiton marmoreus Fab.
A variety differing from the type in size and color occurs at
Eastport. The type occurs in size as long as 1} inches, and even a
trifle more than that. The blue variety is not over an inch,
the average being about f of an inch. The type has the color
of the interior white at the edges of the valves, deepening to rose
color. In the variety, which may he called var. cceruleus, the rose
color gives place to a delicate light blue. The outside is robin’s
egg blue. Though not common, this variety seems to be established.
I have found it twice, and in small numbers.
Bucinum undatum Linn.
The type is abundant at Eastport. Largest specimen, 2f inches.
(I have a specimen from near Old Orchard 4 inches long.) A vari¬
ety (v. plana) occurs at Eastport and Grand Manan ; size of largest
specimen, 1| inches, resembling the type except in size and loss of
waves. In some cases the waves remain in faint form ; in some
cases thev are absent altogether. The type form at Eastport has
Margarita undulata Say.
Type is abundant ; an albino form occurs rarely ; it is about one-
half the size of the type.
Terebratulina septemtrionalis (young), Menestlio albula and a
few of the deep water starfishes were found at low tide in small
numbers.
Aslarte crebricostata — formerly common in 10 fathoms, could not
be found.
THE NAUTILUS.
79
The season has been a good one for collecting at Eastport. Some
of the rare forms, like Lunatia grcenlandica and Bela Pingelii, were
found at 15 fathoms, and on the whole, there was a tendency among
the deep water forms to the shallower water.
THE HABITS OF FLORIDA LITTORAL MOLLUSKS.
BY JOSEPH WILLCOX.
Although the following facts may be well known to some Con-
chologists, there are many undoubtedly who have not had the oppor¬
tunity of observing the habits of southern shells. It is a very inter¬
esting scene to witness the actions of many mollusks in the shoal
waters in the bays of Florida, and on the sand flats that are ex¬
posed to the air at low tide. Below is a list of some of the shells
that are found above the water level at low tide on the southwest
coast of Florida :
Fulgur perversum,
F. pyrum,
Oysters,
Oliva literata,
Fasciolaria gigantea,
F. tulipa,
F. distans,
Cerithium atratum,
C. nigricans,
C. muscarum,
Cerithidea scalariformis,
Lucina Floridana.
Aplysias do not remain voluntarily out of water at low tide, as
they then become dry on the surface and appear to suffer for want
of water, often emitting in such cases a large amount of purple
fluid. They possess no power of locomotion on land.
The Cerithium usually crawl about on the sand soon after the
water has receded, and remain above the surface until the return of
Aplysia,
Sigaretus perspectivus,
Callista gigantea,
Nassa vibex,
Marginella apicina,
Melongena corona,
Conus proteus,
C. Floridanus,
Cardium isocardia,
Cardium magnum,
C. muricatum,
80
THE NAUTILUS.
the tide. Their tracks may often be traced more than twenty-
feet.
Cerithidea scalar if or mu habitually crawls up the stems of grass,,
and lives the greater portion of the time out of water.
The Cerithium nigricans live in large colonies between high and
low water marks.
Cardium isocardia crawls out of the sand soon after the water dis¬
appears ; but they do not travel far. When put in a basin of salt
water, they often close their shells with a lively snap.
Fasciolar iadistans is the only shell, observed by the writer, which
feeds upon the Vermetus nigricans colonies, into the tubes of which
it inserts a long proboscis.
Fasciolaria tulipa is the only shell, in the knowledge of the wri¬
ter, which makes an effort for freedom when held in the hand. It
projects its body out of the shell and “slashes ” about its long and
sharp operculum with sufficient force to occasionally bring into view
some of the blood of its captors.
The Oliva literata often lives in colonies. It emerges from the-
sand soon after the disappearance of the water, and crawls for a
considerable distance.
Sigaretus lives usually under the sand, but at low tide it often
comes to the surface; but it does not proceed far. It is a favorite-
morsel for the “ littoral pigs,” who root it out of the sand with,
avidity.
Lucina jamaicensis affects the muddy sand. They lie deeply
buried under the surface, and seldom are seen on top of the mud.
The Lucina tigrina probably possesses the same habit, as many dead
shells are found in places where few are seen living.
The Pholas costata, I presume, lives below low water mark, as their
shells are washed ashore in some places in great quantities. They
also live in colonies in the muddy sand flats that are dry at low
tide.
The shell reposes about 10 to 12 inches below the surface, but
the animal can project its long siphon to the surface, through a hole
permanently kept open.
In a future article we propose giving the results of observations
upon the feeding habits of some Florida mollusks.
THE NAUTILUS.
81
NEW FORMS OF WESTERN HELICES*
BY HENRY A. PILSBRY.
The Pacific Slope has been proven by the researches of many
collectors to be richer in varietal forms of Helices than any other
part of the United States ; but although there are a large number
of well-marked local varieties, there has been a tendancy to over¬
split them on differences of no racial value. The following forms
are believed to be sufficiently individualised to require names.
Although superficially some species such as arrosa, tudiculata etc.
are very much like the European group Arionta, others like Cam -
pylcea, and still others from Lower California are like Euparyphay
it is the writers belief that the American forms are not closely allied
to these European groups, but rather to the forms found in Japan,
China and the Philippines, the resemblance to European types being
a case of “convergence” of one character, the shell, and not extending
to the less readily modified viscera. Other allies of the Californian
group are the Hemitrochus of Florida and the greater Antilles, in
Mexico another allied group, Lysinoe, is found ; but the genuine
Californian type extends southward along the mountain axis as far
as the Argentine Republic. All these American, and the East
Asiatic groups are more nearly allied to each other than any of
them are to the European Helices.
The earliest name for this group of forms is the rather cumber¬
some term Epiphragmophora of Doring ; and it is proposed to use
this in a generic sense, to supercede Arionta, A glaia and Euparypha
of American writers. The history of all these snails and their
names, with a discussion of their probable ancestry and migrations,
will be found in the writer’s Guide to Helices, now in press.
Epiphragmophora ellipsostoma n. sp.
Shell globose-depressed, with low-convex spire, round periphery
and almost covered umbilicus ; thin ; color a greenish straw tint, with
one supra- peripheral brown band, surface shining, showing irregular
growth wrinkles, and closely, somewhat spirally wrinkle malleate
all over, much as in the thin forms of E. tudiculata; the spiral
tendency of the wrinkles more marked below. Whorls 4, the apical
1? forming a rather large nuclear shell ; last whorl deeply descend¬
ing in front, a little constricted behind the basal lip. Aperture
very oblique, short-elliptical, obliquely truncated by the penultimate
whorl; peristome rather narrowly but evenly and well refiexed
82
THE NAUTILUS.
throughout, dilated at the columella insertion and almost covering
the umbilicus. Alt. 12-5, greater diam. 20, lesser 16‘2 mm.
Belongs to the E. rowelli group, but differs from other species in
its malleation. From tudiculata and its allies, it differs widely in
the elliptical mouth, coarse apex and fewer whorls. The same
characters and its sculpture remove this shell from E. traskii and
its several varieties described by Hemphill.
Locality, “ San Juan del Norte” (Gabb). Probably on the east
coast of Lower California.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Variations of Pleurocera alveare Conrad. — In L. and
F.-W. Shells, part 4, ( Strepomatidce ), page 50, Mr. Tryon says:
“ The species is very variable in length,” leading one to infer that
the other features were more constant. Such is not the case.
Specimens from Cypress and Shoal creeks, Ala., present such a
difference that on first sight the mature shells of one stream would
not be taken for the same species as those from the other.
From Cypress creek they have the folds or tubercles on each
whorl and the stride on the base well defined. From Shoal creek
they are eroded on the spire, giving the shell a cylindrical appear¬
ance; body whorl smooth and the strife of the base faint or want¬
ing; a number from both streams are two-banded ; the upper band
causes the dark spots Mr. Lea mentions in his description of perno-
dosa. In both streams they were found on rocks in the current. —
A. A. Hinkley, Dubois, III.
New Locality for Unio Ellipsis Lea. — While collecting in
the vicinity of Florence, Alabama, the past summer, eight speci¬
mens of this species were found in the Tennessee river. — A. A.
Hinkley.
Mr. Edw. W. Roper, of Revere, Mass., gave his friends in
Philadelphia and Washington a short but pleasant call recently.
Z. cell arius in Western Pennsylvania. — I found 3 speci¬
mens of Zonites cellarius Miill., 2 living and 1 dead, from the Phipps
Conservatory in Allegheny City, and as the 3 specimens came from
3 different greenhouses, they must have obtained a pretty good
foothold. None of the shells were fully mature, the dead one being
the largest. — Geo. H. Clapp.
The Rate of Growth of Helices. — I have placed mature
Helix appressa in a box the middle of May. They have laid eggs,
THE NAUTILUS.
83
the eggs have hatched, and the animal has grown to maturity by
the first of November. With Helix alternata the growth was much
less, hardly making more than one-half that of H.appressa. — Chas.
S. Hodgson, Albion , III.
Argonauta argo on the East Florida coast. — A specimen of
this species measuring 71 inches diameter, and perfect in every re¬
spect, has been obtained by Mr. Wm, P. Stanley. It was found
about 10 miles below Palm Beach, and contained the animal when
cast ashore.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
Obras Malacologioas de J. G. Hidalgo. Madrid, 1894.
The name of Joaquin Gonzalez Hidalgo has long been a fam¬
iliar one to conchologists acquainted with recent French and Spanish
literature of mollusca; and whoever has used the more extended
works “ Moluscos Marinos de Espana, Portugal y las Baleares ” and
the “ Moluscos Terrestres ,” — works indispensable in the study of the
shells of Southwestern Europe — will hear with pleasure of the pub¬
lication of the “ Obras Malacologicas.” This magnum opus, of which
several parts lie before us, will consist of three portions: works re¬
lating to the fauna of Spain, works upon the South American fauna
and publications on the land shells of the Philippine Islands. Of
tbeformer two we may judge in advance by the magnificently illus¬
trated volumes named above, and the “ Moluscos del Viaje al
Pacifica.”
That upon the Philippine fauna, now in course of publication, aims
to present a summary of the literature of each species, with valuable
critical ’notes on the variations, distribution, etc.; and it is illus¬
trated on a scale which leaves little to be desired. The land snails
of the Philippines are among the most beautiful of any region, and
it is only fair to say that for the first time justice is done them in the
splendid plates of Hidalgo’s Obras. The Helices and Cochlostylas
are illustrated in the parts already issued, and we hope to have the
Bulimi and operculates before long. The text is characterized by its
moderate and conservative spirit, refreshingly free from “nouvelle
ecole ” vagaries, but well abreast of the times.
THE NAUTILUS.
$4
The work will doubtless be of the greatest assistance to all students
of this rich fauna, and we hope that its talented and industrious
author may succeed in bringing it to a good completion.
List of Texas Mollusca collected by J. D. Mitchell. This
■catalogue embraces both marine and fresh-water forms, and adds
many localities to the published records of Texas shells.
Notes on Some Marine Invertebrata from the Coast of
British Columbia, by J. F. Whiteaves. A new Pecten, P.
( Pseudamusium ) Vancouver ensis is described and figured, and an
adult specimen of Turcicula cidaris is for the first time illustrated.
A Contribution to a Knowledge of Indiana Mollusca,
by R. Ellsworth Call (from Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., III). The pres¬
ent paper is a preliminary list of the Indiana mollusk fauna, show¬
ing what has already been done toward an exact knowledge of the
concholoev of that State. Only authentic locality references are
given, and nothing is admitted to the list on the strength of its
occurrence in neighboring States. Of land shells, 58 species are
•enumerated; fresh-water univalves, 47 species; bivalves, 102 spe¬
cies. No less than 53 species were originally described from Indiana
localities. A bibliography is given, both of special and general
works bearing on Indiana shells. The “ Contribution ” is a step in
the right direction, and will be welcomed by both Indiana collectors
and those interested in the distribution of United States shells
generally.
Notes on the Miocene and Pliocene of Gay Head, Mar¬
tha’s Vineyard, Mass., etc., by W. H. Dali (Amer. Jour. Sci.,
Oct., 1894). The result of Dali’s visit to this locality, examined
by Lyell 50 years ago, and by numerous other geologists later, are
important, verifying its reference to Miocene, in which it corre¬
sponds to the Chesapeake, “in all probability to the upper part of
the Chesapeake, certainly not lower than the St. Mary’s fauna, and
probably between that and the Yorktown beds.” At about 80 feet
above sea level a small patch of shell fragments was found, in a
stratum of sand, which is considered Pliocene. Nucula shaleri and
Macoma lyelli are described as new from the Miocene; and Chry-
sodomus stonei Pilsbry, originally described from stray specimens
washed ashore on the New Jersey coast, was found, thus fixing its
position, hitherto unknown, in the Miocene.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. DECEMBER, 1894. No. 8.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
A Shell Hunt Forty Feet Under the Sea. By C. Hedley. . . 85
Vertigo Morsei, n. sp. By Dr. V. Sterki . .89
A New Chiton from California. By W. H. Dali. . .90
Patella (Helcioniscus) nigrisquamata Reeve. By Chas. T. Simpson. 91
The Virginia Colony of Helix nemoralis. By T. D. A. Cockerell. . 92
Notes and News . 95
New Publications. . .96
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
A Valuable Collection for Sale.
I purpose selling ray library of Scientific Books and ray
large Collection of Fresh Water, Land and Marine Shells,
which will afford scientists and others an opportunity of
obtaining the results of the work of a lifetime. For 40
years I have corresponded with leading Conchologists and
collected examples from all parts of the world, many of
which are exceedingly rare and unique, the collection is
contained in six large cases of from 12 to 24 draws each, the
examples are all perfect, first-class and labelled and will be
open to the examination of an expert.
Add ress :
W. D. HARTMAN, M. D.,
WEST CHESTER, PA.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
Land, freshwater and marine shells to exchange for others.
Send lists and receive mine.
Chas. S. Hodgson, Albion, Ills.
To exchange for other species, sea or land, Ano suborbiculata
Say, corpulenta Cpr. and many other Unionidte. Send list and
receive mine. W. S. Strode, M. D., Lewistown, 111.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in Mi Ira, Margincila, Aspergillum, Melania, XJnio, etc. Wanted:
Land shells. MissLinter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
Wanted Strepomatidce from many localities. Land, Fresh¬
water or Marine Shells in exchange. Strepomatidce identified gratis.
A. A. Hinckley, Du Bois, Ill.
Helix alanda, H. amplccta, and many other land, fresh-water and ma¬
rine shells; in exchange for shells from any locality, send lists and receive
mine. Morris Schick, 2410 Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Offered— A short list of Maine shells. Desired— Land-shells.
Rev. Henry W. Winkley, Saco, Maine.
The Nautilus
VOL. VIII.
DECEMBER, 1894.
No. 8
A SHELL HUNT FORTY FEET UNDER THE SEA.
BY C. HEDLEY, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.
To widen the fairway of Port Jackson (Australia), a submarine
reef is being removed. An opportunity of going down with the
divers employed thereon was kindly offered to myself and a scien¬
tific friend by the officer in charge of the operations. So tempting
an invitation was, of course, accepted with delight. Often in im¬
agination had we wandered on the ocean floor, peering into ghastly
wrecks of ships sunk long ago, fighting with some huge shark or
monstrous octopus, and gathering treasures of science or heaps of
gold. Now our dreams were to come true and we were indeed to
tread that fairy-land. We might not have the luck of the mariner
in the song who
“ Fell overboard in a gale,
And found down below where the seawreeds grow,
Such a lovely maid with a tail,”
but we should certainly pluck strange growths at the bottom of the
sea as one might pick flowers in a meadow.
A trim launch sped with us from Circular Quay down the famous
Sydney Harbor, past bay after bay, some lined with wharves and
shipping and some with trees growing to the water’s edge, by rocks
and white sandy beaches, past point and headland gay with villas
and gardens, or sombre with eucalypt forest. So familiar was the
86
THE NAUTILUS.
scene to us, that we smoked and chatted, unmindful of its beauties,
till we reached a flotilla of punts and barges moored near the Heads.
After a cup of tea with the overseer, we prepared for our descent
by divesting ourselves of boots, coat, vest and collar. A couple of
laborers officiated as my valets tie chambre, wrapping me first in
thick flannel socks, trousers and jacket, and then in a canvas over¬
all garment which left only the head and hands uncovered. The
hands being left bare, the sleeves were secured at the wrists by rub¬
ber cuffs aud bracelets. My feet were thrust into a pair of enor¬
mous boots, each sole of which was weighted with 25 pounds of
lead. Bending my head, two men placed over it a huge diver’s
helmet and screwed it into a brass collar of the canvas dress. My
costume completed by slinging on chest and back two large metal
weights, I was told to rise. Thus encumbered, it was no slight ex¬
ertion to get up, take three steps to the ladder, and descend into the
water knee-deep. There I halted while my signal cord was belted
round my waist ; my air-tube, which reminded me of a garden hose,
was screwed to my helmet and the pump commenced to force air
through it. Finally an attendant screwed a plate-glass front, the
size of a saucer, into my helmet ; from the inside, this last operation
resembled the closing of a coffin-lid. Some one tapped my helmet
twice, the submarine signal for “all’s well,” and I started.
Stepping off the bottom rung of the short ladder, down I went>
till the keel of the barge loomed up, rose and passed me — down,
down into the green sea water, watching the silvery bubbles stream
upward — down, down, down, as the water darkened. That sensa¬
tion of gliding down into an emerald abyss, was the weirdest, dream¬
iest thing I ever felt. Then so gently did I alight, that I merely
noticed that I had ceased to fall. At my feet I saw rock and sand
and seaweed ; looking up, I saw a monster in a helmet with two
ropes leading away up to where the sky ought to be. The monster’s
face showed through his little window as a big, fair moustache and
a pair of kindly blue eyes. Fetching out of a capacious trouser
pocket a small school slate, he wrote, “ How do you feel ? Shall we
go on ? ” and held it up. Taking his slate, I wrote, First rate ; go
on.” He read the message, gravely rubbed the slate clean with his
finger, pocketed it, and held out his hand. I grasped it and we
started for a walk at the bottom of the sea.
Then I noticed a pain in my ears; the compressed air was hurt¬
ing me. To cure it, I went through the motion of swallowing once
THE NAUTILUS.
87
or twice. Feeling more comfortable, I “ began to take notice,” as
they say of the babies. The light was bright enough to see small
things plainly twenty feet away, but the water strangely magnified
familiar objects. A shoal of little fish passed us, swimming under
our arms and between our legs in the most ridiculous way. I tried
to take one with my hand, but it deftly turned and avoided my
grasp. The guide, seeing my attempt, pinned one to the ground
with an iron rod he carried, and handed it to me ; another he
stabbed and caught as it swam by. Before we had gone far I had
lost all sense of time, space or direction, and became too confused to
know whether I had travelled east or west, ten yards or a hundred,
in ten minutes or half an hour. A queer sensation was that of hav¬
ing escaped from the law of gravity ; it seemed just as easy to walk
up as down a cliff — we usually walked on our toes, sloping from the
ground at an angle of forty to sixty degrees. When too much air
is pumped down, the submarine pedestrian is unduly buoyant, and
his aims to clutch a shell from the ground must be comically like
the dodging and staggering of a drunken man.
A little dell lay before us choked with rank seaweed, through
which we strode waist-deep like plunging into a tangle of fern in
some damp valley on the land. My guide reached out, picked some¬
thing off a broad frond, and handed it to me. It was a Doris, a
lovely creature, whose like 1 never saw in books, striped with purple
on a milk-white ground. It began to crawl over my fingers quite
unconcernedly. I clapped my hands and tried dumbly to express my
delight by patting my companion’s big fist. He replied by offering
me the slate, on which I wrote, “ Very good ; put him in the bottle.”
Rubbing out my words, he wrote, “Send down the bottle,” tied the
slate to the rope and jerked the latter four times. Away went rope
and slate to the regions above. In response to an answering signal,
the slack was hauled in and my collecting-jar descended tied to the
rope. In turn, we tried in vain to open it. Although our corre¬
spondent above had filled the bottle with water, the pressure at our
depth so sealed it that we could not raise the stopper. With a mes¬
sage on the slate, “ Open this bottle and send it down open,” we
sent the jar aloft. When is was lowered to us the second time, I
found that my Doris had slipped unobserved through my fingers,
and so I lost a possible new species, the rarest treasure I was to see
that day.
88
THE NAUTILUS.
Continuing our travels in the dim water-world, we passed through
a field of sponges. Not the brown, round masses of the bath-room,
but radiant growths of scarlet ( Raphyrus hixoni and Ilalicondria
rubra ) and purple, here and there great open oscula, tempting one
to poke in a mischievous finger. Some grew in tufts like moss, some
expanded like a dainty vase ( Phyllosiphonia caliciformis ), some
forked like branches of trees and some spread like a lady’s fan.
One abundant species, about the size and shape of an orange, was
pure ice-white, studded with golden dots that almost glittered ( Leu -
condra sp.). Of all these we gathered what we could, pricking our
hands sore with sponge spicules as we worked. When, on the mor¬
row, our ravished beauties lay dead on a table in the museum, they
had faded sadly from their pristine splendor. Among the sponges
grew purple Boltenia pachydermatina, a pear-shaped head upon a
slender stalk, like tulips in an earthly garden.
For a surprise, the diver held up before my face and pressed an
Aplysia. From it flowed a violet stream which stained the water
for two feet around, hiding hand and mollusk in the cloud. One of
my last captures was an exquisite nudibranch, which swarmed on
the broad fucus blades. In hue it was the blue of a summer sky,
flecked with blood-red dots and stripes. I had now grown weary ;
not of searching for wonders, but of supporting the heavy diving
armor, and was content to be drawn up again to the world of air
and sunshine, which I had quitted three-quarters of an hour before.
On reflection, I found the reward of my under-water foray to be,
not a hoard of specimens, but a better appreciation of the circum¬
stances under which marine life exists. Our party of four had only
observed, dead or alive, Chamostrea albida , Vola fumata, Trigonia
lamarcki, Struthiolaria scutulata, Drillia oweni, Cassis pyrum,Cyprcea
xanthodon, Astralium tentoriforme, Ranella leuco stoma, Aplysia kera.u-
dreni, Chromodoris bennetti, and two undetermined Doris. Mol-
luscan life seemed, on the spot I explored, to be less plentiful than
at low-tide mark. Perhaps, however, the difficulties under which I
labored as a beginner in the art of diving, impeded me from finding
what was really there. After seeing the rough sea floor, one won¬
ders that a dredge should capture as much as it does. A rich harvest
probably awaits a conchologist who should seriously practice diving
as a means of collecting.
THE NAUTILUS.
89
VERTIGO MORSEI, n. sp.
BY DR. V. STERKI.
Shell large (for the group), cylindrical-turriculate, with a rather
acute apex, imperforate rimate, with few obsolete striae of growth,
shining, translucent; whorls six, rather slowly and regularly in¬
creasing, the last scarcely higher than the penultimate and rather
narrower, somewhat sloping towards the base, slightly ascending at
the aperture; suture deep; aperture lateral, scarcely oblique, com¬
paratively small, inferior and palatal part well-rounded, the latter
with an angular impression and slightly protracted in about its
middle, the upper half more strongly curved, peristome everted ; on
the palatal wall, at some distance from and parallel with the mar¬
gin, a moderate crest, behind it a deep and large impression over
the palatal folds, and in front of it a groove corresponding with the
impression at the auricle ; inside the crest there is a distinct callus
of the same color as the shell ; apertural lamellae and folds typic¬
ally nine: three on the parietal wall (the same as in V. ovata ), the
largest whitish ; two on the columella, the superior strong, vertical
above, then in an angle turning horizontally, the inferior horizontal,
lamelliform, thin, high and directed obliquely upward; basal small,
sometimes double, rarely 0 ; palatals high, and rather long, curved
and directed upward; suprapalatal small, nodule-like.
Size: alt. 2-7, diam. 13 ; apert. alt. 09, lat 0-8 mill.
Soft parts not examined.
Habitat: Kent County, Michigan.
This magnificent Vertigo has been collected by Dr. DeCamp and
kindly sent for examination by Mr. Bryant Walker. There were
seven specimens, all fully mature, well-formed and almost exactly
alike. Vet there are some slight differences, as they may be found
in all forms of this group : in one example the inferior parietal tooth
is wanting, in another the basal only trace-like, and in a third the
same is double, as frequently found in V. ovata. With the latter
species, V. morsel has much resemblance, especially in the aperture :
the configuration and the “teeth” are the same, but the inferior
columellar, and the two principal parietals, are rather larger, and
markedly directed upward. The main difference is in the number
and relative size of the whorls: while in V. ovata they are five, and
rapidly increasing, the last predominating ; in our species there are
six, slowly increasing, the last, and consequently the aperture, com-
90
THE NAUTILUS.
paratively small. This is a radical difference, and gives the shell
quite another aspect, so that there can be no question about its being
distinct. But V. morsei is also decidedly larger, V. ovcita not, or
little, exceeding two millimers of altitude.
The species is named in honor of Mr. E. S. Morse, who has so
considerably promoted our knowledge of the Pupidae.
New Philadelphia, Ohio, Nov., 1894.
A NEW CHITON FROM CALIFORNIA.
BY W. H. DALL.
Genus Lepidopleurus Risso.
Section Lepidopleurus ss. Valves adjacent, jugal area obscure,
not separated from the pleural tracts ; lateral areas distinct, or
feeble, when all the sculpture is feeble. Type L. cajetamis Poli.
Mediterranean.
Section Ohhoydia. Valves separated by narrow extensions of
the girdle, reaching to the jugum ; jugal area prominent, sculptured
differently from the pleural tracts and extending in front of them
between the sutural laminae; lateral areas not differentiated ; valves
heavy, strongly sculptured. Type L. ( 0.) percrassus n. sp.
Lepidopleurus percrassus n. sp.
Shell solid, strong, small, of a pale pinkish-brown with a darker
brownish girdle which appears rather narrow in the dry state ; scales
very minute, partly dehiscent, chaffy, with occasional slender
spinules resembling hairs ; scales on the base crowded, minute,
sandy; an extension of the girdle is prolonged between the valves
on each side as far the jugum, the surface of these sinuses is also
minutely scaly with occasional spinules ; valves thick, white below,
moderately arched with the prominent jugum forming a sort of keel ;
near the points of insertion the valves are heavily callous below ;
the sutural laminae are short, smooth and separated at the median
sinus by a prolongation of the jugum in advance of the anterior
margins of the pleurae ; sculpture of the jugum consisting of punc¬
tate fore-and-aft parallel grooves with some small elevated transverse
ridges anteriorly ; the rest of the valve has, on each side, six or
eight vermicular ridges divaricating toward the posterior edge of
the valve and irregularly corrugated with sharp, fine, elevated
THE NAUTILUS.
91
lamellae crossing the interspaces transversely but fading out on the
ridges; head-valve with minutely nodulous concentric ridges; tail-
valve highest at the subceutral, not very prominent macro, in front
sculptured like the intermediate valves, behind the macro like the
head-valve. Length about 14, width 5'75, height 2‘5 mm., in the
dry state. The dry girdle about half a millimeter wide.
Specimens obtained by Mr. T. S. Oldroyd from a stone pulled up
from about 75 fathoms in the Santa Barbara Channel off San Pedro,
California.
This species, for which a section named in honor of Mr. Oldroyd
is proposed, is very remarkable. The girdle recalls that of Deshayes-
iella Carpenter, but is extended in such a manner as to partly sep¬
arate the shelly portions of the valves. The very callous surfaces of
the interior, according to Mr. Pilsbry, are unique in the group.
Most of the species of Lepidopleurus are comparatively thin, and
though L. ccijetanus is a solid shell, none of the species are as heavy
as the present one in proportion to their size. The conspicuous and
forwardly produced jugum is unique in the family. The type is in
the National Museum, and will be figured later.
PATELLA. (HELCIONISCUS) NIGRISQUAMATA REEVE.
BY CHAS. T. SIMPSON.
In the collection of the National Museum are twenty specimens
of Patella bearing the above name received from Frederick Stearns,
the U. S. Exploring Expedition, W. K. Fischer, and the Lea-
Chamberlain Collection — the latter credited to “ Dr. R.” by Mr.
Lea, and probably from Ruschenberger. One other specimen of the
same name is in the museum from the Rich Collection without lo¬
cality.
These vary from young shells less than an inch in diameter to
those which are more than 31 inches in length. There can be no
doubt that the above name is correct, as all the specimens agree
fairly well with Reeves’ description and excellent figures in the
Cohchologia Iconica (Vol. VIII, Patella, species 3, plate II, figs.
3a and 3b).
The species described as P. boninensis in the Nautilus (Nov.,
1891, p. 79), was characterized by its author as having a large cen¬
tral muscular callus, and two diverging dark bands from the an-
erior head segment.
92
THE NAUTILUS.
Our large series shows every possible variation in the develop¬
ment of these characters, from young specimens in which no scar or
tails (for they look very much like squirrel tails) are visible, to old,
solid shells with a heavy, snowy, swollen callus, and having these
brown wings very strongly developed.
The same characters are seen in Patella ( Helcioniscus ) argentata
Sowb., better known as P. talcosa Gld. H. clypeater, which Mr.
Pilsbry places with Nacella, on account of slight differences in
anatomical characters, but which, eonchologically, seems closely
allied to P. argentata, and in other species.
In short, there can be no doubt that this scar and the curious
radiating brown lines are merely adult characters which are de¬
veloped in quite a number of species. I quite agree with Mr. Geo.
W. Taylor in believing that this species does not come from the west
coast of South America, but is probably confined to the north-west¬
ern part of the Indo-Pacific region.
THE VIRGINIA COLONY OF HELIX NEMORALIS.
BY T. D. A. COCKERELL, N. M. AGR. EXP. STA.
There appeared in the Nautilus, of Nov., 1889, a paper under
the above title, setting forth some very interesting facts regarding
the variations exhibited by a colony of H. nemoralis at Lexington,
Va. Prof. J. H. Morrison, who collected the shells studied, took
considerable interest in the matter at that time, and had gathered
together a good deal of information additional to that given in the
above-cited paper. I have, therefore, been quite disappointed not
to see any publication by him on this subject, or any evidence that
the colony has received further attention.
It is scarcely necessary to dwell on the extreme interest attaching
to the history of this colony. Here we have a variable species in¬
troduced into a new country, and varying in a most extraordinary
manner under the influence of the new environment. The peculiar
variations are very numerous, though, in the main, tending entirely
in one direction — to the splitting of the normal bands. Although
the number of individuals thus varying is considerable, very few of
such have exactly the same formula, whereas, several of the old
European variations occur in numerous specimens.
It appears, in the highest degree, probable that these peculiar
variations are congenital and not acquired during the lifetime of
THE NAUTILUS.
93
the individual,1 in which case we have an example of environment
modifying the germ-plasm — the odds against the variation being
only accidentally coincident with the changed environment being
enormous.
In 1889, the above-mentioned changes had taken place in the
colony, but time was needed to show whether they would increase
in number and degree; or whether, as seemed more probable, the
old European varieties would eventually assert themselves, and
swamp the rest. In either case, the result would be very interest¬
ing, and now that five years have elapsed, it is extremely desirable
that someone should make a new investigation and report in detail.
It is really astonishing chat no one has yet done so. The colony
was, in 1889, so evidently in a condition of unstable equilibrium,
that it seems certain that changes must have occurred in the inter¬
val, tending to the predominance either of the old or the new (split-
band) type.
Believing that Prof. Morrison would publish, I did not follow my
paper of 1889 with further observations, but it will be as well now
to put the following on record :
(1) Lexington, Va., received from Morrison one of each of the
following, Oct. 26, 1889 :
Helix nemoralis mut. guettardia Moq.
Helix nemoralis mut. arcelinia Loc.
Helix nemoralis mut. petiveria 10345 = requienia Moq.
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 1(234)5 Ivregl.
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 123(44)5 nov.
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 00 305 Ckll. (juv.).
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 12345 Ckll.
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula l223x(45) nov. (juv.).
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 1233(45) nov. (juv.).
(Morrison had another example.)
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 1233(444)5 nov.
(Morrison had another example.)
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula j0345 nov. (juv.).
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 12X3X45 nov. (juv.).
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula ,2o4(55) nov. (juv.).
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 128345 nov.
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 12XX3XX45 nov.
Helix nemoralis mut. libellula 0 0345 Ckll.
1 If so acquired, it must be in very early life, as, in many instances, the vari¬
ations were recorded from immature examples.
94
THE NAUTILUS.
Helix iiemoralis mut. libellula 12,(45) Ckll.
Mr. Morrison also sent me word of the occurrence of mut. libellula
00305 Ckll.
(2) Lexington, Va., received from Morrison in November, 1889.
H. nemoralis mut. libellula bimarginata 12x345 nov.
(the bands tend to coalesce.)
H. nemoralis mut. libellula 12345 Moq.
H. nemoralis mut. libellula bimarginata major 00000 Moq.
(thin, max. diam. 281 mm.)
H. nemoralis mut. libellula major 12345 Moq.
(max. diam. 26| mm.)
II. nemoralis mut. petiveria (12345) — richardia Moq.
H. nemoralis mut. petiveria umbilicata 123x45 Ckll.
(nov. mut. umbilicata, shell more globose, umbilicus open.)
H. nemoralis mut. libellula 1234445, nov. =morrisonia nov.
(extra bands 44, much thinner than 4.)
H. nemoralis mut. albescens 00000 Moq.
(pale yellow, like mut. subalbida of hortensis.')
(3) Lexington, Va., not seen, recorded by Morrison in litt., Nov-
16, 1889.
H. nemoralis mut. libellula (12)(345) Ivregl. (one).
H. nemoralis mut. libellula 120(45) Kregl. (one).
H. nemoralis mut. libellula 12045 nov. Morr. (two).
H. nemoralis mut. libellula (123)45 —nilssonia Moq. (one).
H. nemoralis mut. libellula 1234455 nov. Morr. (one).
H. nemoralis mut. rubella 123(45) Moq. (four).
H. nemoralis mut. rubella 10345 Moq. (three).
H. nemoralis mut. rubella 123X45 Ckll. (one).
(4) Lexington, Va., not seen, recorded by Morrison in litt. Jan.
2, 1890. This is the most extraordinary series of all ; about all the
band-variations are new.
Mut. petiveria 123XX45. Mut. libellula 1(22)045.
Mut .petiveria (12)3(45) Moq.
Mut. libellula 1 2345.
Mut. libellula 1 2X3XX45.
Mut. libellula 12(33)x(45).
Mut. libellula 1234(55).
Mut, libellula 12(33)45.
Mut. libellula l23x44(55).
Mut. libellula 122334(55).
Mut. libellula 123(45) bimargin- Mut. libellula 1(22)3(45).
Mut. libellula 123x45 Ckll.
Mut. libellula 123xx45.
Mut. libellula 123XX(45).
ata.
Mut. libellula 1234(4445).
Mut. libellula 1(22)345.
Mut. libellula (,12233444555).
Mut. libellula 123445.
THE NAUTILUS.
95
Mut. libellula roseolabiata bimar - Mut. libellula 123(44)5.
ginata 12345.
Mut. libellula 123(44)5.
Mut. libellula 123(444)5.
Mut. libellula 12x345 Ckll.,
marginata.
Mut. libellula 12x345 Ckll.
Mut. libellula 1233(4445).
Mut. libellula (12xx33)(45).
Mut. libellula 12 3445.
Mut. libellula 1(22)345.
Mut. libellula lx03x45.
bi- Mut. libellula roseolabiata bimar-
ginata (42345).
Mut. libellula 123445.
Mut. libellula (1233345).
Mut. libellula (1223345).
Mut. libellula 103(44)5.
It should be explained that a split-band bracketed, as (44), means
that it is split, but joins near the mouth of the shell.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Mr. T. Wayland Vaughan is now engaged in geological work
on the scientific corps of the U. S. Geological Survey.
Mr. Gilbert D. Harris, formerly of the U. S. Geological Sur¬
vey, has, after spending the summer abroad, taken up the work of
his new appointment at Cornell University, where the valuable col¬
lection of mollusks, of which Dr. Newcomb was so long curator, is
under his charge, as well as the Palaeontological Department.
The Long Beach (California) Conciiological Club elected
the following officers for the next year: Miss I. M. Shepard, Presi¬
dent ; Mrs. M. Darling, Vice-President; Mrs. Terry, Treasurer and
Secretary, with Miss E. Lowe her assistant.
The Club is to hold its meetings twice a month. The following
are the charter members : Miss E. Lowe, Mrs. M. Darling, Mrs. E.
Cushman, Mrs. R. Preston, Mrs. Terry, Mrs. Craig, Miss I. M.
Shepard and Mrs. Dial. At the next meeting, to be held Decem¬
ber 1, new members will be received. The Club has been studying
and collecting for a year, but had not before formally organized.
They held their first Annual Meeting and Reception at the home
of Miss E. Lowe, on the evening of October 6. A short program
was given and letters of greeting read from Dr. W. H. Dali, Mr.
H. Hemphill and Prof. Josiah Keep. Ice cream and cake were
served in shells, and the rooms handsomely decorated with palms,
shells, kelp, and smilax.
The Club would be glad to hear from any and all interested in the
same study, and will make a special study and collection of our
local shells or shells of Los Angeles Co.
Amnicola olivacea Pils. — In April, I visited the original lo-
96
THE NAUTILUS.
calitv (Huntsville, Ala.) and was surprised to find this species in
vast numbers. The stream has a mud bottom which is much in¬
dented with cow tracks. In these the Amnicola had congregated —
not as a layer on the surface, but as a solid mass. To get an idea
of how many there were I scooped up the contents of three holes,
and after washing them thoroughly, found I had a full quart of the
living animals. There must have been bushels of them in the few
rods of stream which I inspected. The stream receives some of the
city sewerage, so it is probably a good feeding-ground.
The geese which infest the neighborhood do not seem to care for
this species. — H. E. Sargent, in lit.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
The Life and Writings of Constantine Samuel Rafines-
que, by Richard Ellsworth Call, is announced to be published in
January next. The volume will be in quarto form, and issued in
paper only. It will contain several full-page illustrations, one of
which will be a portrait of its subject. A complete bibliography of
the writings of Rafinesque, on every subject, comprising over four
hundred titles, will be included, together with a certified copy of his
will, one of the most remarkable testamentary documents ever pro¬
bated. It will prove of exceptional value to those interested in
botanical, conchological, or ichthyological matters.
A Monograph of the Land and Freshwater Mollusca of
the British Isles, by J. W. Taylor, F. L. S., is announced as in
press. The object in issuing this work is to bring together, as far as
practicable, all reliable information bearing upon the study of the
British Land and Freshwater Mollusca. It will aim to combine
the information upon all aspects of the study, and thus form a
standard work of reference as well as a reliable text-book upon
British Land and Freshwater shells. The first volume will be de¬
voted to general characters of the shell, the morphology of the ani¬
mal, geological and geographical distribution, habits, parasites, etc.
The second volume will be devoted to the treatment of species in¬
dividually, and will aim to give accurate descriptions and faithfully
colored figures of the typical shell and the chief varieties of every
species ; the various organs of the animal will be described and
illustrated in the text, and full lists of localities, with a full syn¬
onymy will also be given, as well as observations upon the habits
and peculiarities of each species. Mr. Taylor’s work promises to be
a timely and useful one. Fuller notice will be given upon the ap¬
pearance of the first volume.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lCcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGLSTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR:
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. JANUARY, 1895. No. 9.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
Two New Pisidia. By Dr. V. Sterki . 97
Haminea Virescens. (PI, II, fig. 15). By Mrs. M. F. Bradshaw. . . 100
New Forms of American Shells. By H. A. Pilsbry . 102
Rangia the Proper Name of the Mactroid Genus Gnathodon.
By Theodore Gill. 102
A New Variety of Olivella. By John Ford . 103
Ferussacia Subcylindrica and Two New Species in Jackson Co.,
Alabama. By H. E. Sargent, Woodville, Ala. .... 104
Notes and News . 106
Publications Received. . 107
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
The Life and Writings of Constantine
Samuel Rafinesque.
By Richard Ellsworth Call, M. A., M. Sc., M. D. This work
includes a complete bibliography of Rafinesque’s publications,
numbering over four hundred separate titles, a certified copy of his
most remarkable will, two portraits of its subject, illustrations of
certain pages of the “ Florida Ludoviciana” and the “Fishes of the
River Ohio,” besides a complete resume of his conchologic and
other scientific work. It comprises over 250 pages, and is now
ready. Price $2.50. Address :
R. ELLSWORTH CALL,
Manual Training High School,
LOUISVILLE. KENTUCKY.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
To exchange for other species, sea or land, Ano suborbiculata
Say, corpulenta Cpr. and many other Unionidae. Send list and
receive mine. W. S. Strode, M. D., Lewistown, Ill.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in Mitra, Marginella, Aspergillum, Melania, JJnio, etc- Wanted:
Land shells. MissLinter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
Wanted Strepomatidce from many localities. Land, Fresh¬
water or Marine Shells in exchange. Strepomatidce identified gratis.
A. A. Hinckley, Du Bois, Ill.
Helix alauda, II. amplecta, and many other land, fresh-water and ma¬
rine shells; in exchange for shells from any locality; send lists and receive
mine. Morris Schick, 2410 Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Offered — A short list of Maine shells. Desired — Land-shells.
Rev. Henry W. Winkley, Saco, Maine.
Wanted: — To Exchange New and Rare species of Alabama
Land and Fresh water shells for same from other localities. Also
general list of 600 species. Send lists.
H. E. Sargent, Woodville, Ala.
The Nautilus, Vlll.
1-6, 13, 13a, Pisidium cruciatum Sterki. 7-u, P. punctatum Sterki.
14, Olivella gracilis v. Gaylordi Ford. 15, Haminea virescens Sowb.
3AN o 1895
The N AUTILUS.
VOL. VIII. JANUARY, 1895.
No. 9
TWO NEW PISIDIA.
BY DR. V. STERKI.
PI. II, Figs. 1-13.
Pisidium cruciatum, n. sp. Figs. 1-6, 13, 13a.
Shell minute, inequipartite, oblique, subtriangular in outline,
high, ventricose, regularly and comparatively coarsely striated,
straw colored ; anterior part moderately long with an oblique,
nearly straight edge above and the end rounded ; posterior part
short, the end somewhat obliquely truncate, superior margin rather
strongly curved, scutum scarcely, scutellum little marked, the latter
forming a rather distinct angle ; inferior part moderately curved ;
beaks prominent, each with two ridges diverging at nearly right
angles, together forming a cross on the upper aspect of the shell,
each of the ridges ending in a nodule of which the posterior is
larger and more prominent; nave rather thick, whitish; hinge
very stout, list strong ; cardinal teeth rather large, and strongly pro¬
jecting inward from the hinge list; in the right valve one, strongly
curved, posterior part thick, anterior thin, lamellar, the ends united
by a lamella so as to form a deep groove into which the posterior
tooth of the left valve articulates; in the left valve two, the poste¬
rior (inferior) stout, massive, the other, superior and a little anterior,
rather short, fine, lamellar, oblique, little curved ; lateral teeth
large, high and pointed in the left, strongly projecting inward in
98
THE NAUTILUS.
the right valve, the latter with no (or only traces of) outer teeth, and
a deep groove ; between the cardinal and the lateral teeth the hinge-
list is rather deeply excavated, so that all teeth are markedly isola¬
ted ; muscle insertions visible ; ligament, short, strong.
Size ; long 1*9, alt. P9, diam. 1/4 mill.
Soft parts slightly yellowish.
Habitat: Tuscarawas River, at New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Figure 1 represents an adult specimen, 2 the posterior, 3 the dor¬
sal aspect, 4-6 a young example, 08 mill, long; fig. 13 the hinge;
13a the dorsal aspect of the right cardinal tooth with an indenta¬
tion ; figs. 1-6 : scale 15X1-
The singular shape of the umbones is so characteristic that this
species will be recognized at once, and cannot be mistaken for any
other. And also in the formation of the hinge it is quite unlike
any other Pisidum, so that it holds a peculiar position in the genus.
In the hinge structure it is very illustrative and instructive for
the understanding of the different forms of cardinal teeth ; yet this
is not the place to discuss the subject at length.
Our species is rather variable, even so that all specimens from
one place in the river are different in size and shape from those of
another place scarcely half a mile distant. It measures from 1*6 to
2T mill. (One specimen 2T:2T:l-6, another P7:1‘7:P3 mill.), P9
being about the average ; the margins may be rather obtuse or
somewhat acute, the beaks more or less prominent, and the anterior
nodule more or less marked. As a rule there are no outer lateral
teeth in the right valve, yet traces of them may be seen in some
specimens. Also in the formation of the cardinal teeth there is
some variation, as the one in the right valve may be indented in its
middle, at the angle, and so there are apparently two teeth (fig.
13a).
Pis. cruciatum is not rare in the Tuscarawas River, where, so far,
it has only been found, but probably it has a wider distribution, and
may even have been collected and taken for the young of some other
species, owing to its minute size. In October and November, 1891,
it was first found, and some specimens were sent to several conchol-
ogists, so to Mr. E. W. Roper, who also recognized it as a new spe¬
cies. In 1893 and 1894 about a hundred were collected, in all
stages of growth. Only few of them are quite mature, and almost
globular, most adolescent, and, though apparently old, much less
inflated. They live in mud among aquatic plants and dead leaves^
THE NAUTILUS.
99
and, as a rule, are covered with a black or brown coat, sometimes
so thick that they appear to be globules of dirt, and only a sharp
eye may recognize them from the hair-like free line along the edge.
Some old specimens are badly eroded.
Pisidium punctatum, n. sp. Figs. 7-12.
Shell minute, iuequipartite, high, oblique, strongly ventricose,
almost globular, regularly and sharply striated, microscopically
rugulose, whitish; anterior part moderately long, the edge above
oblique, almost straight, end slightly angled, rather inferior ; anterior
part short, truncate, slightly angular above, rounded below; superior
and inferior margins moderately curved, the former rather short,
the latter long ; scutum little, scutellum moderately marked, both
forming slight angles ; vertical section heart-shaped, horizontal,
short, lanceolate-rhombic; margins very slightly acute; beaks
moderately full and prominent, with a longitudinal, slightly oblique
ridge (sometimes obsolete) below the culmination ; nave moderately
thick, whitish, with crowded, small pits, from which it appears as if
dotted; hinge moderately strong; cardinal teeth fine, in the left
valve two, lamellar, longitudinal, about equally long, a little curved,
almost parallel, the upper little anterior; in the right valve one,
longitudinal, little curved, lamellar, the posterior end slightly thick¬
ened ; lateral teeth rather small and thin, in the left valve one,
pointed, in the right valve two, the outer quite small ; hinge-list fine,
rather regularly formed ; ligament rather long and fine.
Size; long 1*8, alt. 1*6, diam. P3 mill.
Soft parts colorless, rest whitish.
Habitat: Ohio; Tuscarawas River, Bear Run, tributary to the
Mahoning River, Portage Co., a spring brook at Rootstown Station,
Portage Co., emptying into tbe Cuyahoga River (Lake Erie and
St. Lawrence drainage) ; in all places collected by the writer.
Figures 7-9 represent an adult, 10 a young specimen, scale
15X1 ; fig- 11 the hinge, 11a the dorsal aspect of the cardinal teeth
in the left valve; fig. 12 shows a remarkable abnormity of the car¬
dinal tooth in the right valve.
This species resembles somewhat Pis. compression Prime, in hav¬
ing a ridge or appendage, but not in the seme place, as it stands on
the outside, below the culmination of the beaks, while in the mature
P. compression it has its place rather on top. The shape of the
shell is different, and the size is very much smaller, its bulk being
only about one-tenth of that shell. And while the upper part of
100
Till; NAUTILUS.
the posterior margin in P. compressum is rounded or flattened, it is
sharp, somewhat “ pinched ” in P. punctatum. In this the shell is
purely whitish, or light straw colored, the latter more so when dry,
while the mature P. compression is always more or less grayish. A
marked feature is the finely and densely pitted interior surface of the
shell, the dots being distinctly perceptible through the shell from the
outside. Yet this is not unique, as I have also seen it in other Pisidia.
Some specimens show not a trace of the appendages on the beaks,
yet they are evidently identical.
In the Tuscarawas River this Pisidium appears to be rare, as
only thirty were taken, twelve of them in one place, in company of
about five hundred P. campressum, most of the latter quite young
to half grown, P. cruciatum and a few P. abditum, which is common
in pools and ditches. More frequent it is in the Bear Run, where
about 120 were collected, but only one-fourth of them adult. Those
from the spring brook mentioned above, are somewhat larger, aver¬
aging 2’0 millimeters long.
These two well characterized and very small Pisidia are a valua¬
ble addition to our molluscan fauna. Besides them there are several
other undescribed species from our country at hand. These small
mussels have been somewhat neglected and a more assiduous col¬
lecting and closer study will doubtless bring to light not only more
unknown forms, but also interesting geographical relations.
New Philadelphia, Ohio, Nov., 1894.
HAMINEA VIRESCENS. (PI. II, flg. 15).
BY MRS. M. F. BRADSHAW7.
One afternoon in August, when the low7 tide of the month occur-
red, we went to our favorite reef of rocks to see what of interest new
or old we could find.
There were acres of mussels with Purpura saxicola in great num¬
bers and various colors wedged in between them. These Purpuras
are graceful in form and often beautifully colored and striped, and
I never tire of them. There were several species of Acmcea and
Fissurella volcano plentiful enough, and as we reached the outside of
the reef where the waves dashed at us threateningly, we found a
few small Haliotis cracherodii, some sea urchins and starfish. These
THE NAUTILUS.
101
last we left to the enjoyment of their home in the deep pools among
the rocks.
But I wanted to tell you of the real “ find ” of my summer. On
the flat surface of the rocks, and nearest the shore, were small in¬
dentations and shallow crevices. While looking into these in search
of a possible new Chiton, I saw a gray object which I picked up
with the remark that here was some sort of key-hole limpet.
My little companion says: “What is a key-hole limpet?” and
so I took out my knife and was about to dissect it to give her a les¬
son in conchology, but to my surprise I found I had something
quite new to myself.
I had very rarely picked up on the beach a small, pale yellow
bubble shell never more than | inch in length, but had no idea
whereabouts this little mollusc had lived. But here in my hand
was a real live Haminea, the pale greenish shell so nearly transpar¬
ent, that it was excusable to at first think it was internal instead of
on the creature’s back.
The shell was about | inch in length, and as we found none
larger, was probably an adult, and it covered less than one-third of
the mollusk.
The animal itself was a slimy gray globule, not pleasant to touch,
and one could not help wondering what possible use or protection
was this fragile, inconspicuous, insufficient shell.
Further search revealed several dozen, but they were hard to find
even after we knew exactly what to look for, so nearly were they
like their surroundings.
After that we searched for Haminea in all similar places for sev¬
eral miles of our coast, but never again found them ; so I am still
of the opinion that they are rare in this locality.
Monoceros engonatum is not rare on this coast I believe, but I
never found them until that day, I got two, one a fourth of a mile
from the other. Careful search failed to reveal more, though these
individuals could not be living alone, and I have no doubt had only
taken a short excursion, leaving the rest of their families safely at
home.
The field of my observations has been but limited ; situated
about midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, but I think it
is a locality rich in the number of its species.
102
THE NAUTILUS.
NEW FORMS OF AMERICAN SHELLS.
BY II. A. PILSBRY.
Gastrodonta (Pseudohyalina) lateumbilicata n. sp.
Shell resembling Ps. limatula in color, texture and sculpture, but
much depressed, the upper surface almost flat, last whorl of much
smaller calibre, the umbilicus very much wider, shallow, its cavity
widely open and saucer-shaped, much as in Helicodiscus lineatus.
Alt. P4, diam. 4-3 mm.
Hab., near Woodville, Alabama. Coll, by H. E. Sargent, whose
labors in northern Alabama have been remarkably fruitful in
increasing our knowledge of the conchology and mammalogy of
Alabama, as well as in his chosen work as an educator.
Somatogyrus Sargenti n. sp.
About the size of S. aureus Tryon, but shouldered as in S. sub-
globosus Say, and imperforate. Shell globose-turbinate, light olive-
green, smooth except for fine growth lines. Whorls about 41, those
of the spire very convex and separated by deep sutures ; last whorl
shouldered above, flattened toward the suture, large and convex.
Aperture large, ovate, a little flattened on the parietal side, broadly
rounded below, narrowly rounded above, and angular at the upper
insertion of the lip. Columella concave, moderately heavy, the
callus becoming wider at the umbilical region ; parietal wall with
a transparent callus layer. Alt. 6, diam. 5 mm. Mud Creek, a
tributary of the Tennessee K., Ala. ; coll, by Prof. H. E. Sargent.
This species differs from S. integer and the closely allied species
or varieties depressus, aureus and parvulus in its shouldered whorls,
planulate below the suture. It has no such heavy columellar callus
as 8. currier icuius ; and it is a smaller species than S. subglobosus
(isogonus) of Say, with wholly closed umbilicus and differently
formed columella.
RANGIA THE PROPER NAME OF THE MACTROID GENUS GNATHODON.
BY THEODORE GILL.
Mr. Dali, in the Nautilus (VIII, 27) and Proc. U. S. Nat.
Mus., (XVII, 91), has shown that the generic name Gnathodon was
THE NAUTILUS.
103
introduced before Rangia for the same genus of Mactroid bivalves.
Nevertheless, the former name must give place to the latter, because
it had been previously used in zoology for a different genus. Ever
since Mr. Dali communicated tome the results of his investigations,
I had a dim recollection of havingseen the name used in another sense,
and that Rangia would have to stand, but could not recall any cir¬
cumstances connected with it. Having had occasion recently to
refer to the Plectognath fishes, I recalled that the name Gnatliodon
had been given to a combination of tbe genera Teirodon and Dio-
don, because neither of the latter was applicable to all the forms of
the composite genus. It was Goldfuss in 1820 who thus used the
name in his “ Handbueh der Zoologie.” I have not access at pres¬
ent to a copy of Goldfuss’ work,1 but have verified my recollection
by reference to Cuvier and Valenciennes’ “ Histoire Naturelle des
Poissons,” (I, 226), where, in a summary of the work, the name is
thus mentioned “ Gnathodon ( Diodon Tetrodon.)” . 01 course, the
name is not active in ichthyology, and, also of course, it is not
recorded in any of the Nomenclators of zoology, but, in accordance
with the law “once a synonym always a synonym,” the previous
application of the name in ichthyology precludes its use in con¬
ch o logy.
A NEW VARIETY OF OLIVELLA.
BY JOHN FORD.
Some months ago, I received from my friend, Mrs. E. M. Gay¬
lord, of Alameda, Cal., a suite of Olivella which had been found
by her in a box of shells that apparently came direct from the
Gulf of California.
All of the associated species were well known Gulf shells, and as
the Olivella were in the same fresh condition as the rest, there was
no reason to doubt that the entire lot had been secured simultan-
1 Handbucli der Zoologie, von Georg August Goldfuss, Nuernberg, 1820, be¬
ing t lie Zweite Abtheilungof the Dritter Theil of Dr. G. H. Schubert’s Iland-
buch der Naturgeschichte. Gnathodon appears on page 100, is suitably
diagnosed, and includes as sections Ort hragoriscus Schn., Diodon L. and
Teirodon L. — Ed.
104
THE NAUTILUS.
eously, and, probably, at the same locality. In view of this con¬
clusion, also of the fact that the specimens are in some respects dis¬
tinct from any heretofore known to me, or, so far as I can learn, to
any writer on conchological matters, I assume the responsibility of
naming and describing them as follows :
Olivella gracilis Gray. Yar. Gaylordi Ford. PI. II, fig. 14.
Shell similar in outline to 0. gracilis , but much smaller, general
color bluish-grey, with a well defined interrupted band of a lead’
black hue bordering the upper part of the final or body whorl.
Smaller spots of a like hue also appear at the upper edge ot the
fasciole. Circling the middle portion of the whorl is a number of
irregular brownish lines, which also occur less prominently on the
fasciole. In some specimens a splotch or two of the same color as
the interrupted band referred to, appears on the upper part of the
preceding whorl. Apex very acute and free from spots. Length of
aperture rather more than one-half that of the shell ; dorsal port ion
of the extreme base creamy white. Average length of specimens
9 to 10 mm., width 3’2 to 4 mm. Hab., Gulf of California.
Mrs. Gaylord, for whom the variety has been named, is not only
a practical collector, but an unusually earnest and capable con¬
chological student also. It gives me great pleasure, therefore, to
associate her name with the beautiful specimens referred to.
FERUSSACIA SUBCYLINDRICA AND TWO NEW SPECIES IN JACKSON
CO., ALABAMA.
H. E. SARGENT, WOODVILLE, ALA.
The pleasure which thrills the field naturalist upon locating with
in his range, a species previously unknown to the region, must be
experienced to be appreciated. It is my privilege at this writing
to report three such finds.
Late last November, at the end of a shell hunt of two hours,
which had among other things brought to light several fine speci¬
mens of H. obstrida Say var. y, I chanced to detect for the first
time a specimen of F. subcylindrica L.
Its station was a fiat surface rock about thirty feet square, at an
angle of 30°, with a north exposure. Having a sack with us, my
THE NAUTILUS.
105
assistant and I proceeded to “bag” the leaf mould. While doing
so another new thing attracted my attention. Upon comparing it
with a single specimen of Z. limatulus Ward in my collection, I
pronounced it the same with a question and sent it to the Editor for
verification. He writes “ Your limatulus I find, on comparing with
typical specimens, are much flatter and have wider umbilicus. I
therefore, call them Gastrodonta ( Pseudohyalina ) latewnbilicata il
sp.”
Daylight failing and being a mile from home in a ravine 500 feet
below home level, and only the bed of a mountain torrent for foot¬
path, we could only carelessly collect the bushel of mould which we
brought away, doubtless leaving many specimens. Upon assorting
the material the following was the result:
Ferussacia subcylindrica L., 245. Pomatiopsis lapidaria 48.
Gastrodonta lateumbilicata Pils., 200.
G. eapsella Gld., 25. Z. indentatus Say, 18.
G. interna Say, 1 8. Helicodiscus lineatus Say, 5.
Patula perspectiva Say, 51. Helix spinosa Lea, 1.
H. stenotrema Fer., 3. H. inflecta Say, 4.
A subsequent visit to another part of the same ravine resulted in
the finding of 50 more specimens of G. lateumbilicata , but none of
F. subcylindrica. I have since received two specimens of the latter
from another locality not far distant.
This trip also resulted in the finding of two living specimens of
Gastrodonta acerra Lewis, the gem of our American Zonites. A
number were also found which had been broken into and eaten.
Query ; may not the rarity of this species be due to its delicate
shell and habit of remaining among the loose leaves rather than
burying itself in the mould as does its more thrifty neighbor
Omphalina laevigata Pfr. ?
This is thus far the only station at which I have found G. acerra.
A new species of Somatogyrus for which the name Somatogyrus
sargenti Pils. is proposed, is found in considerable numbers, twenty
miles northeast of here in a spring, tributary to Mud Creek, which
is in turn tributary to the Tennessee River. It is found attached
to the dead leaves in company with one species each of Physa,
Planorbis, Limnaea and Goniobasis.
106
THE NAUTILUS.
NOTES AND NEWS.
The Conchologists Exchange was started so oddly (on a postal
card) and ended so abruptly — and without an index to either vol¬
ume, that we are constantly receiving letters of inquiry regarding
its contents, numbers, etc. We once proposed to make a reprint,
but could not obtain sufficient subscribers to warrant it. We now
propose to print an index of both volumes, if enough of our sub-
cribers want it to pay for the cost of printing. The index will
contain a list of contributors with the titles of their articles, and
a list of the species mentioned. Those wishing an Index will
please send twenty-five cents to the Editors. It will be printed as
soon as sufficient money is received. — H. A. P. and C. W. J.
There is being built at Finderne, N. J., a large Casino Building,
one room of which is to be devoted to Natural History. Mr.
Thomas Morgan, of Somerville, N. J., has been appointed Curator.
He intends placing there his entire collection. Any donation of
specimens will be thankfully received.
Dead Snails. — On the 14th of last April, (1894), I turned over
a log in the woods in Miami Co., Ohio, and found, all in a heap,
the following shells: 74 adult Helix elevata, 38 young of same, 1
H. prof unda , 9 II. alternata, 1 H. albolabris and 2 II. hirsuta, mak¬
ing in all 125 individuals. They were all dead but well preserved,
and many were clean inside so that they would make good cabinet
specimens. Besides these perfect shells there were many so broken
that they could not be readily identified.
How can we explain this? Did these mollusks seek the warmth
to be derived from a number huddling together, or ivere they acted
upon by the common impulse of protection? Were they destroyed
by insects, or did they perish by the cold? The preceding winter
was an unusually mild one, and the size of the log and quantity of
leaves which surrounded them would preclude the latter theory.
The fact that so many were so thoroughly cleaned inside would seem
to show that some insects as ants had made an attack upon them
and eaten them. What are the enemies of our common snails? I
have often found perfectly clean dead shells under logs. — G. D.
Lind, Lebanon, Ohio.
An interesting study of Scissurella, illustrated with figures of the
living animal and dentition, by A. Vayssiere, of Marseilles, is pub-
THE NAUTILUS.
107
listed in the current number of the Journal de Conchyliologie.
The external features as well as the dentition differ very widely
from Pleurotomaria, the teeth being as in Trochidce.
In Abstr. Proe. Linn, Soc. N. S. Wales, meeting of Sept. 26,
1894, Mr. John Brazier retracts his former opinion that Patella
Jcermadecensis is not from the Kermadec group, and quotes from a
pamphlet published in 1887, stating that on Macauley Island there
occur “ large limpets (as big as small saucers and good eating).”
The last number of the Journal de Conchyliologie contains a
portrait and biographical sketch of Dr. Paul Fischer.
PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.
On a Molluscan Genus new to, anti another forgotten
from Australia, By Charles Hedley (Proc. Roy. Soc. Viet.,
1894). — Lucapinella is identified from Australia with two species,
nigrita Sowb. and pritchardi Hedley. Scyllcea pelagica, recorded by
Cuvier from W. Australia years ago, has lately been collected at
Port Philip by Mr. J. B. Wilson.
Description d’un Heliceen nouveau provenant de la cote occi-
dentale du Maroc, par Ph. Dautzenberg (Bull. Soc. Zool. de Fr.
1894, p. 17). — Helix ( Jacosta ) Renat i is described and figured. We
cannot distinguish it from H. argonautula Webb & Berth., a spe¬
cies referred by European authors to Oclithephila or Discula, but
really belonging to Jacosta.
The Land and Freshwater Moll., New Philadelphia, O.,
by Dr. V. Sterki. — A list freely annotated with Dr. Sterki’s habit¬
ual critical acumen recording 151 species. The new forms
described are Pupa eurvidens var. gracilis, “ intermediate in shape
between the type and P. holzingeri ; ” P. pentodon f. curta ; Vertigo
ventricosa v. elatior ; Planorbis exacutus var. rubellus. Gundlachia
is reported, and two Pisidia described in the preceding pages are
noticed.
108
THE NAUTILUS.
Uebee Binnen-Conchyl. der Kiistenzone von Rio Grande do
Sul, von Dr. H. von Ihering. — From the study of land snails found
in Quaternary deposits the conclusion is reached that formerly the
region in question was wooded, and more favorable to snail life
than the present sandy expanse with sparing grass growth. In the
living fauna a remarkable new genus of Suceinidce occurs, like a
Hyalimax with completely internal, spireless shell.
Dte Susswasser-Bivalven Japans, von H. von Ihering (Abh.
Senck. naturforsch. Gesellsch.). — In the discussion of the species,
this work supplements Kobelt’s Fauna Japonica, describing several
new specific forms. In the Japanese bivalve fauna, v. Ihering finds
only East Asiatic types, and those occupying the entire Holarctic
tract (such as Margaritana mar gar it if era). There are no peculiar
forms of more than specific value, the fauna being merely a part of
that of the adjacent Siberian and Chinese countries, unspecialized
except in the specific characters, and many of the species are very
near those of the mainland. It is interesting to find that these
results coincide with the facts known in regard to the freshwater
gastropods and the land shells. Except that the mollusk fauna of
Japan has a more southern aspect than that of the adjacent main¬
land (due to the warm ocean current, the “ Gulf stream of Japan ”),
there is no difference of any importance in zoogeography.
Preliminary List of the Mollusca of Arkansas, by F. A.
Sampson (Ann. Rep. Geol. Surv. Ark., Vol. II). — 81 species are
the result of several years work by Mr. Sampson, not including
Uuioniclce, which will be treated separately. The State has been
little known to conchologists hitherto, and the present catalogue
supplies data for the southwestern range of a considerable number
of species. It is judiciously annotated, and illustrated with wood-
cuts of Triodopsis edentata Sampson.
A Biological Examination of Lake St. Clair (Bull. Mich¬
igan Fish Commission, No. 4). — The present preliminary account
details the methods adopted by the Michigan Fish Commission,
with brief lists of the various forms of life, a map of the lake, etc.
The mollusks were studied by Mr. Bryant Walker and listed on
pp. 43, 44. More elaborate reports on the principal groups are in
preparation.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lCcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF GONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. FEBRUARY, 1895.
No. 10.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
A Glance at the Chicago Academy of Sciences. (Illustrated.)
By Frank C. Baker. 109
On A New Species of IIolospira from Texas. By Wm. H. Dall. . 112
Megatebennus Bimaculatus. By Mrs. M. F. Bradshaw. .112
On Collecting Pisidia. By Dr. V. Sterki . 113
New American Fresh-Water Mollusks. By H. A. Pilsbry. . 114
Mollusks of Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. By Geo. H. Clapp. . lit;
Note on Unio Oregonenses Lea . ... 116
Notes and News . .118
New Publications. . .119
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Thilad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologisfs Exchange.” We
can furnish only odd numbers of this.
ADVEETISING MATE.
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
six months or longer. In order to have the paper out promptly.
“ copy ” is put in the printer’s hands on the 20th of each
month.
Address, C. VV. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in Mitra, Marginella, Aspergillum, Melania, Unio, etc Wanted:
Land shells. MissLinter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
Offered : — A shortlist of Cuban, and Phillippine land shells, also other
land and marine shells ; to exchange for Southern and Western U. S.
Helices ; Send list and receive mine. Harry EisenhardT,
2023 N. 3rd St, Phila, Pa.
Wanted : — Marine shells from any locality. Offered : —
Marine, Land and Fresh Water shells. Marine shells mostly from
Florida. J. J. White, Rockledge Fla.
Offered — A short list of Maine shells. Desired — Land-shells.
Rev. Henry W. Winkley, Saco, Maine.
Wanted: — To Exchange New and Rare species of Alabama
Land and Fresh water shells for same from other localities. Also
general list of 600 species. Send lists.
H. E. Sargent, Woodville, Ala.
Land and Fresh-Water shells of southern Wisconsin, to exchange
for the same from other localities ; or for Marine Curios. Send list
and receive mine. Polished Unios furnished when desired.
Mrs. E. C. Wiswall, Kenosha. Wis.
THE CHICAGO ACADEMY Sr 5CILMCC5 LINCOLN. PARK PATTON AND FISHER, ARCHITECTS
The Nautilus, viii. pl. ill.
Fhe Nautilus
VOL. VIII.
FEBRUARY, 1895.
No. 10
A GLANCE AT THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
BY FRANK C. BAKER, SECRETARY.
In 1857, a society for the promotion of science, was formed in
Chicago, taking the name of “ The Chicago Academy of Natural
Sciences.” About $1,500 was subscribed, a room taken in the
Saloon Building, corner of Clark and Lake Streets, a few cases were
made, and a museum was begun. In 1859, the society was incorpor¬
ated by the name of “ The Chicago Academy of Sciences.”
In the winter of 1863-4, several prominent citizens of Chicago
resolved to found a Scientific Museum in the Metropolis of the
Northwest. A large sum of money was accordingly subscribed, an
Act of Incorporation, (1 865) as now published, was obtained and
the Academy was placed upon a solid foundation. Mr. Robert
Kennicott was appointed first Director of the Museum. Collections
rapidly rolled in and rooms were taken at the Metropolitan Build¬
ing, corner of Randolph and La Salle Streets. In 1865 Mr. Kenni¬
cott, with a party of young naturalists went to Alaska to survey a
route for a telegraph line, then proposed to connect North Amer¬
ica with Russia. From this expedition Mr. Kennicott never re¬
turned. He died suddenly of heart failure on the banks of the
Yukon River. After the death of Mr. Kennicott, Dr. William
Stimpson was appointed Director of the Museum.
June 7, 1866, the building in which the Museum was placed was
partially destroyed by fire. The collections were much damaged,
110
THE NAUTILUS.
and parts were wholly destroyed. This calamity brought the ques¬
tion of a permanent building to head, and a lot on Wabash Ave¬
nue, north of Van Buren Street was purchased and a fire-proof
building erected. The first meeting was held January 28, 1868.
The building was of brick 55 feet by 50 in area, and 50 feet high ;
the floors were of brick and iron the stairways and principal doors
of iron, and the windows were covered with iron shutters. The base¬
ment was used for laboratory and storeroom ; the first floor for
library and offices, while the whole upper part, surrounded by two
wide galleries, was occupied by Museum. From this time until the
great fire the growth of the Academy, under the skillful manage¬
ment of Dr. Stimpson was rapid, and much valuable original work
was done.
On the 9th of October, 1871 , this building, in spite of the tire-
proof qualities which it was supposed to possess, was totally de¬
stroyed in the great conflagration which laid Chicago in ashes, —
specimens, library, manuscripts, and apparatus — all that was left of
the once invaluable collections was a sheet of printed paper and a
few pieces of broken pottery. Within twelve days after the fire,
however, a meeting was held and steps taken towards a restoration
of the Academy. A circular was issued inviting the sympathy and
help of corresponding societies, which elicited many immediate and
liberal responses. The loss of his priceless manuscripts so prostrated
Dr. Stimpson that he died on the 26th of May, 1872.
It was soon determined to rebuild upon the old site, and upon the
same plan modified by such improvements as experience could sug¬
gest. Upon the front of the same lot a business block of the first
class, four stories in height was erected. The restored building was
occupied in the fall of 1873. The funds at the disposal of the
Academy being insufficient for their needs, they borrowed such ad¬
ditional sums as were necessary, securing the lender by a mortgage
upon the whole property. They estimated that the income from the
property would provide a sinking fund by which the original indebt¬
edness would be paid when it became due. The scheme, however,
proved disastrous. The new building did not pay the interest on
the indebtedness, and after a term of years, in process of law, the
whole property was lost to the Academy.
When, in 1886, the Academy was finally driven from its home on
Wabash Avenue, the Exposition Company received the collections
within its building upon the lake front and paid the expense of their
THE NAUTILUS.
Ill
maintenance. But in its turn, the exposition company was ousted
and its building destroyed. The property of the Academy was sent
to storage where it remained for several years. In 1891 when the
affairs of the Academy seemed to have reached their lowest ebb, a
proposition was made to unite its fortunes with the University of
Chicago, then just organizing. This the Academy was not willing
to do, feeling that in time the identity of the organization would be¬
come lost in that of the University. In 1892 a generous citizen of
Chicago Mr. Matthew Laflin, seconded and aided by his son George
K. Laflin promised to give a sum adequate for the purpose of erect¬
ing a building which should stand for all time as the home of the
Academy. In addition to this, it was ascertained that it was pos¬
sible for the commissioners of Lincoln Park to aid in the prosecution
of such an enterprise by offering a site and additional endowment.
The result is one of the most perfect museum buildings situated in
one of the most beautiful parks in the world. In June, 1893, the
corner stone was laid and Nov. 1, 1894, the building was formally
thrown open to the public.
The new building is a plain rectangular structure measuring 150
by 50 feet. The material of the building is Bedford stone and the
architecture is Romanesque. Over the central doorway is the in¬
scription Matthew Laflin Memorial. The interior is decorated
in old gold and ivory giving a soft tone to the light. There is electric¬
ity, running water, electric bells, elevator, and all the modern im¬
provements which go to make up a perfect museum.
The library contains 5000 scientific works. It communicates with
the museum by two stairways. The museum hall is 1 50x50x30 feet,
with one wide gallery. Upon the main floor there are 24 large
cases, in the gallery the same number with the addition of a large
rail case. Unlike most museums there is not a dark corner in the
building, from cellar to garret.
The collections consist for the most part, of North American pro¬
ductions, and are most complete so far as the valley of the Mississippi
is concerned. In Mollusca, the collection is rich in North American
forms.
With a new building and the best of facilities, it is believed that
the Academy will again occupy a prominent place among Scientific
bodies, and regain the prestige and fulfil the promise of its earlier
■days.
112
THE NAUTILUS.
ON A NEW SPECIES OF HOLOSPIRA FROM TEXAS.
BA" WM. H. DALL.
Holospira pasonis n. s]>.
Shell white, mostly smooth but hardly glossy, of eleven and a
half whorls; two and a half smooth, inflated, nepionic whorls, the
apex flattish, followed by several whorls which are minutely ribbed
in harmony with the incremental lines, the ribbing gradually becom¬
ing obsolete over most of the shell but reappearing on the last whorl,
especially the basal part, sharper and somewhat crowded just behind
the reflected lip ; umbilicus closed or reduced to a minute chink ;
suture distinct, sutural edge continuing as a keel to the reflected
margin of the aperture ; aperture very short necked, almost circular
broadly reflected ; the pillar, as usual in the genus, tubular above the
last whorl, the axis externally simple but somewhat flexuous. Lon.
22'5, max. diam. 6’5 mm. El Paso County, Texas, from Mule canon at
an elevation of 4000 feet. This species is nearest to H. ccahuitensia
W. G. Binney, which has one or two more whorls, the last two propor¬
tionately more attenuated with more extended, sharper and more dis¬
tant sculpture, and obtusely keeled or compressed base resulting in
a much more triangular and narrower aperture. It is not particu¬
larly close to any of the other species hitherto described, the U. semi-
striata Stearns being quite distinct. A marked character is the
evenly rounded basal part of the whorl just behind the lip.
The specimens were procured by a correspondent of Mr. J. A.
Singley.
MEGATEBENNUS BIMACTILATUS.
BA MRS. M. F. BRADSHAW.
One day last September I found a curious and interesting mollusk.
On a ledge of rocks, so high as only to be reached by the waves at
the highest tides, there was a hollow containing a barrel or more of
water.
Poking around in this I saw what appeared to be a bit of flesh.
I took it out, thinking I had found a small Lncapina crenulata.
THE NAUTILUS.
113
Avhose shell is — or appears to be — internal. But this one wore his
shell upon his back for what purpose I do not know, for it was too
small for protection, and the creature himself was so unpleasant to
look at, no beauty of shell could redeem his ugliness.
Red-brown in color, warty, even the inadequate shell was a dull
greenish grey ; not a single pretty feature !
Only an enthusiast could have taken him up with a thrill of
pleasure, instead of a qualm of disgust.
Upon examination at home, it was determined to be Fissurellidcea
biniaculcita ; yet the shell does not quite tally with the description in
West Coast Shells. Internally it is white, outside gray-green with
fine sculpturing ; the rays running from the aperture to the edge
are strong, the circular ribs faint, and the margin is not crenulated.
F. bimaculata is said to be i in. in length ; this one is more than double
that size. And the dark spots on the sides are not visible. If the
green stain could be removed perhaps they would appear; but as
the size is too great for bimaculata, perhaps I have a Fissurella not
credited to this coast.
ON COLLECTING PISIDIA.
BY DR. V. STERKI.
Pisidia, and for a good part Sphaeria, are by far not sufficiently
known, systematically as well as geographically. Requested to do
so, and encouraged by prominent conchologists, the writer is going
to work them up. Already some valuable materials are at hand ;
thus the entire Pisidium-collection of Mr. E. W. Roper, numerous
lots, most from Lake Michigan, sent by Mr. Bryant Walker, others
from Mr. H. Prime and other conchologists, besides my own col¬
lection ; and some good results have so far been attained. Yet these
materials are absolutely insufficient for a thorough study and knowl
edge of these small mussels which, with all their minute size, are a
very conspicuous and interesting part of our molluscan fauna. They
should be studied in their different forms, considerably variable
according to their habitats, and all kinds of waters should be searched
for them all over the continent.
Whoever has collected Corbiculidae assiduously will know that
they are, as a rule, present in large numbers, wherever found. The
114
THE NAUTILUS.
best means for collecting them is a rather long (8-12 inches) net of
strong canvas, such as used for embroidery work, fastened to a ring
of strong wire1, five to eight inches diameter, with a handle, to be
used either directly, or fastened to a stick, or pole up to ten or
twelve feet long. For deep waters a dredge should be used. The
“stuff” gathered is shaken and washed until the remains are free of
fine mud, then in a basket, sack, or some other suitable receptacle
brought home, where the mollusks, Corbiculidae and others, may be
picked out at leisure. If they are not to be kept alive, it is best to
spread the materials on large pieces of paper, or cloth (bed sheet e.
g.) and let them become dry. In this way, especially if one or
several fine sieves are used, they are most easily found ; and none of
them should be overlooked, as some forms are very minute, and the
young of all are of interest, while fully grown specimens are compar¬
atively7 scarce, and so are certain species in some places. If sent
for examination, all from a locality are best left mixed up, and not
separated, but with notes on the nature of their habitat.
Hundreds, and thousands of specimens may be secured in a short
time, not to speak of other mollusks, among which, last not least,
very young Unionidte. The best places are, as a rule, among
aquatic plants, and also in deep places, or holes, where the mussels
are washed together. But it must also be said, that they are found
most actively propagating in late fall and early winter.
New Philadelphia, Ohio, Jan., 1895.
Note. In Dr. Sterki’s article in the January Nautilus, the
word nacre should be read instead of “ nave” on page 97, 9th line
from foot of page, and also on page 99, 16th line from top.
Pisidiimi punctaium has also been found in Lake Michigan and
in Herkimer Co., N. Y.
NEW AMERICAN FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS.
BY II. A. PILSBRY.
Planorbis alabamensis n. sp.
Shell small, whitish corneous, solid, lens-shaped ; intermediate in
form between P. exacutus and P. dilatatus. Upper surface convex,
1 Where fastened to the wire, the net should be enveloped with strong cloth,
or leather, lest it will wear off; and the seams should be securely sewed.
THE NAUTILUS.
115
but the apex is slightly sunken ; whorls nearly three, slightly con¬
vex, rapidly widening, acutely keeled at the periphery, the keel
projecting above the suture on the penultimate whorl in most adult
specimens. On the last whorl the keel is about median in position,
is acute, as if pinched out, and extends to the aperture. Base of
shell convex, rising toward the umbilicus, which is moderately large
and funnel-shaped, with very obtusely angled margin. Aperture
small, oblique, sub-rhombic ; the lip strongly thickened within. Alt.
J *8, diam. 3’4 mm. ; width of aperture T6 ram.
Woodville, Alabama (Prof. PI. E. Sargent). This is a smaller
species than P. exacutus, with much smaller less oblique aperture,
thick lip, and not so flattened. It differs from P. dilatatus in the
acute peripheral keel, etc.
Amnicola olivacea n. sp.
Shell olive colored, somewhat intermediate in form between an
ordinary Amnicola and Pomatiopsis lapidaria. Spire elevated, the
apex rather acute. Whorls 5, very convex. Aperture ovate, less
than half the length of the shell, angular above; peristome free ex¬
cept for a very short distance on the parietal wall; umbilicus
rather large. Surface smooth ; coated with iron oxide in the adult
specimens seen.
Alt. 4’2, diam. 2'5 mm. (Male?).
Alt. 4‘2, diam. 3 mm. (Female?).
Huntsville, Ala. (coll, by Prof. H. E. Sargent; see Nautilus for
December, 1894, p. 95).
This form is quite distinct from other Amnicola, being of more
elongated contour than any other Northern forms except A. lustri-
ca. Its nearest allies are some of the smaller slender Floridian forms,
but none of these have such convex whorls. As I have seen dry
specimens only, I have not verified the reference of the stouter in¬
dividuals to the female sex, but from analogy with other species this
is probable. The supposed males have much the general appear¬
ance of Pomatiopsis eincinnatiensis.
Planorbis bicarinatus aroostookensis n. var.
Shell having the spire and umbilicus very deep, the latter funnel*
shaped as in typical bicarinatus, but both upper and lower keels en¬
tirely obsolete or rounded off on last whorl, which has the aspect of
that of P. trivolvis. Surface minutely striated spirally as in P. bi-
cdrinatus. Aperture less angular and less produced below than in
bicarinatus, in consequence of the rounding of the whorls. Diam.
116
THE NAUTILUS.
15, alt. at aperture 7 } mm. Specimens from East branch of Salmon
brook, Woodland, Aroostook Co., Me., coll, by O. A. Nylander,
Caribou, Maine.
Vivipara georgiana limnothauma n. var.
Whorls much swollen around the upper part, sloping helow, giv¬
ing a shouldered appearance. This is one of the most remarkable
forms of Vivipara yet made known. Types are from an aboriginal
shell-field on Hitchen’s Creek, but it also occurs living in Lake
George, 2 fms., off Drayton’s Island (Pilsbry and Johnson coll.).
MOLLUSKS OF ALLEGHENY CO., PENNSYLVANIA.
BY GEO. H. CLAPP, PITTSBURGH, PA.
Below is given a list of additional species of land and fresh-water
shells collected in Allegheny Co., Pa., to be added to the list pub¬
lished by Mr. S. H. Stupakoff in the Nautilus, April, 1894.
Hyalin a cellarius Miill.
Hyalina nitidus Miill.
Mesodon mitchelliana Lea.
Pupa curvidens Gld.
Succinea aurea Lea.
Succinea obliqua Say.
Limnsea parva Lea.
Gvraulus dilatatus Gld.
Pleurocera canaliculatum Say.
Goniobasis ? (Young).
Unio ovatus Say.
Unio rectus Lam.
Unio pilaris Lea.
Unio crassidens Lam.
Unio luteolus Lam.
Unio gracilis Lam.
Unio rubiginosus Lea.
Unio orbiculatus Hild.
Unio securis Lea.
Unio cornutus Bar.
Unio undulatus Bar. (?) dead
[broken shell.
Unio obliquus Lam.
Ancylus tardus Say.
Ancylus rivularis Say.
From the previous list, Alesomphix Icevigatus Pfr. should be drop¬
ped. I have found Mesodon sayii Binn. in Beaver Co., but have
not, so far, found it in this county.
NOTE ON UNIO OREG3NENSES LEA.
For years I have been puzzled over a shell in the Lea collection
of Naiads which Lea received from Wheatley as coming from the
THE NAUTILUS.
117
Columbia river, Oregon and which the former named U. oregoti-
ensis, discribing and figuring it in Trans. Am. Phil. Soe. X, p. 275,
pi. 22, fig. 33. The specimen is in bad condition, being somewhat
broken and considerably eroded. In a paper on the Relationships
and Distribution of the North American Unionidce, with notes on
the West Coast Species, which I published in American Naturalist,
Yol. XXVII, No. 316, I stated that I had come to the conclusion
that the specimen in question was a form of the widespread and
variable TJnio luteolus Lam, there being examples in the National
Museum from Canada very much like it. I believed that if it really
came from the Columbia river it was just possible the young might
have been carried in mud on the feet of aquatic birds, from waters
near by which drain into the Missouri, in which stream U. luteolus
is found. But I have never been quite satisfied with my determina¬
tion of the shell, since it always seemed to resemble to some extent
a group of the Mexican species. To-day, in carefully going over
all the Mexican and Central American Naiad material in our own
and the Lea collections I suddenly discovered a surprising resem¬
blance between the Lea specimen and some others of U. rowelli Lea,
and on careful comparison I found it to be undoubtedly an old, solid,
and inflated female of that species.
Unio rowelli is a remarkably variable form which I cannot for a
moment doubt is exactly synonymous with U. macneilii Lea, the
types of both species being in the Lea collection. Lea calls atten¬
tion in his description to its resemblance to U . sapotalensis, to which
it is closely related, and it may he remarked in passing that in this
group the females and males are separate, the former being inflated
in the posterior ventral region like those in the Luteolus Group.
Some specimens of this protean species are much inflated, others are
compressed ; some are somewhat triangular and pointed at the base
of the posterior slope, without a trace of biangulation, others are
nearly rhomboid and distinctly biangulate; there is considerable
variation in the degree of sulcation, and in the coloring of the epi¬
dermis. They may be either uniform greenish-yellow, brownish,
or marked with distinct and delicate radiating stripes as in the type
of U. oregonensis. And all these variations may occur in a lot from
a single locality.
The cardinals are rather compressed, double in the left and single
in the right valve, and have a peculiarly rough, torn appearance ;
while the laterals are somewhat striated longitudinally.
THE NAUTILUS.
1 18
As Unio oregonensis was described probably about the year 1852,
rowelli in 1859, and Macneilii in 1874, the former should have pre¬
cedence. But it may be set down as an absolute certainty that no
member of the group to which this species belongs was ever found
nearer than 1500 miles from the Columbia river, and the locality is
undoubtedly an error. As the name oregonensis is, therefore, mis¬
leading, I think we are justified in applying to the species the next
oldest name, Unio rowelli of Lea. As I have shown in the article
referred to in American Naturalist that Unio famelicus Gkl. of the
Columbia region is only a young Unio multistriatus Lea, of Brazil,
I think I am safe in saying that no Unios are known to inhabit
North America west of the great Rocky Mountain chain ; this
being the largest area distitute of Unio life in the temperate or
tropical regions of the globe.
\ Vr> p-50V\
NOTES AND NEWS.
Mr. A. A. Hinkley has removed from Du Bois, Ill., to Rock¬
ford, Illinois, which will be his address in future.
Mr. Edw. W. Roper and Mrs. Roper sailed for Jamaica on
Dec. 19, to spend the winter collecting shells and ferns.
A Train Stopped by Snails. — Mr. Laille, an engineer in the
employ of the Tunisian Railway, writes in the Dipeche Tunis ienne :
“ The train coming east from Suk-el-Arba last Thursday was two
hours late for a very singular reason. The road was literally cov¬
ered with snails, the wheels of the locomotive crushing these mol-
lusks into a pulp, which destroyed all adherence and caused the lo¬
comotive wheels to skate, so to speak, in their places. We have
seen flocks of locusts stop trains, but I think the fact that snails
can stop a train is without a precedent. These snails are very gen¬
eral all through Tunis, especially during the rainy season ; the
smallest remainders of green on field or tree are covered with them,
so much so that they appear like a bunch of grapes hung up, only
that their white shells produce a curious effect.” — Phila. Becord.
Mr. John B. Henderson of Washington, D. C., has sailed for
Japan, with Mr. John W. Foster, to be absent about three months.
Helcioniscus nigrisquamatus. — By error, the word “not”
■was printed for now, in line 11 from bottom of Mr. Taylor’s article
on this species, October number, p. 66. As it completely changes
the meaning of the sentence, this correction should be made.
THE NAUTILUS.
119
Fulgur perversum is a rare shell on the coast north of Dela¬
ware Bay, if, indeed, it occurs at all living. Mr. Curtis Smith has
recently found dead and blackened (fossil?) specimens at Wild¬
wood, N. J.
Prof. H. E. Sargent of Woodville, Ala., called upon his friends
in Philadelphia on the 26-28th inst. He purposes to be in New
England for the next month or more.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
The Life and Writings of Rafinesque, By Richard Ells¬
worth Call.1 (Filson Club Publications, No. 10). — To most natu-
nralists, a peculiar charm attaches to the personalities of their
predecessors in the same field of endeavor. And we of to-day, who
may fairly be reckoned as the third generation of nature students
in America, have a natural curiosity to know something of the men
of that first generation, to whom the “ New World” was indeed
new — who enjoyed in such generous measure that intense delight
which can only be felt or apppreciated by the field naturalist in the
presence of forms of life new to him. Rafinesque, the subject of
Mr. Call’s present work, has been much less familiarly known to us
than any of the other pioneers in American zoology; he was mis¬
understood by most when living, and scoffed at dead. It is, there¬
fore, with unusual interest that we follow the tale of his eventful
life as it is here related. Mr. Call, after telling of his early train¬
ing, or rather lack of training, follows his hero to France and then
to Sicily, where Rafinesque’s life work was begun, and his peculiar
characteristics as a naturalist were developed. When he finally
left that sunny island for America, he was already the author of
many works and papers on numerous branches of zoology and bot¬
any, though only thirty-two years of age. His career of misfortune
in America — relieved only by the intense pleasure of his work — is
graphically described, the period covered by his life in Kentucky
being given most space, this time covering Rafinesque’s most im¬
portant contributions to American science. Two portraits of
Rafinesque are reproduced, as well as an autograph letter and sam¬
ple pages of some of his works, all by good photo process engrav¬
ings. The volume concludes with a bibliography, which seems to
be complete.
The character of Rafinesque is appreciatively interpreted by Mr.
Call, and his shortcomings are as leniently mentioned as strict re-
1 Louisville, Kentucky, 1895, 4io. pp. xii, 227.
120
THE NAUTILUS.
gard for right will admit. Acknowledging frankly the great de¬
fects of the eccentric naturalist’s work, its value and genius are
still considered by Call to be very considerable. There can be no
doubt that in the appreciation of natural groups, Rafinesque had
great insight, as his biographer claims; but still we can hardly en¬
dorse the statement: “considered as a whole, the conchologic work
of Rafinesque was remarkably well done.” From some acquaint¬
ance with that work, we would rather call it remarkably badly
done, and only saved from worthlessness by certain glimmers of
genius, in the ability to grasp natural groups. Some facts of value
could have been obtained had Mr. Call corresponded more freely
with Philadelphians, as here Rafinesque spent many years. Among
other things, the statement in regard to the Poulson collection of
Rafinesque’s Unionidce on p. 109, would not have been made. This
collection was collected and labelled by Rafinesque, was procured
by Tryon from Poulson’s estate and is now preserved in the collec¬
tion of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
As a whole the volume seems remarkably free from mistakes of
any kind, considering the difficulty of the subject. The typography
is superb. The proof-reading is almost perfect, though we note a
very few slips, such as “ profligate” for prodigal, on p. 75. It is
printed on fine paper, with wide margins, and is altogether a beau¬
tiful piece of book-making. We trust it will find a place on the
shelves of conchologists and naturalists generally, and lead to a
more just appreciation of this great though erratic genius.
The Mechanical Cause of Folds in the Aperture of the
Shell of Gastropoda, By Wm. H. Dali (Amer. Nat., Nov.,
1894). — The plicie and folds found in the aperture and throat of
gastropod shells are explained by the wrinkling of the mantle when
retracted into the gradually narrowing caliber of the shell, and
pressed between the solid foot and the shell wall. The semi-fluid
secretion of which the shell-lining is built up is exuded from the
whole surface of the mantle, but becomes rubbed off where the sum¬
mits of mantle-folds press against the shell, gradually accumulating
in the interstices between these folds. It is found that in shells
having the ridges extending far inward, the adductor muscle is at¬
tached far within ; in those having no folds, or only at the margin
of the aperture, the adductor is attached to columella lower down.
The deeper this attachment, the greater the distance over which
the mantle is drawn, and consequently the greater its folding by
compression, and the more emphatic the shell-ridges deposited by it.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. jtb.L/Lj- MARCH, 1895. No. II.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
Unio Ochraceus AND Cariosus. By Charles Torrey Simpson. . . 121
Notes on the Reported Extinction of the Genus Achatinella and
Marvelous Development of a Florida Fasciolaria.
By John Ford. 123
Note on Helix Sauli.e Pfr (non Reeve)=Palumba Souverrie.
By Hugh Fulton. 125
Shells of Aroostook Co., Maine. By Olof O. Nylander. . . . 12->
New Species of Land-Shells from the Galapagos Islands.
By William H. Dali. 126
Note on Tasmanian Acm.ea and Ischnochiton. By H. A. Pilsbry. . 127
New Species of Land Shells from Puget Sound. By Wm. H. Dali. . 129
Notes and News . 130
New Publications. . 131
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a..
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
THE NAUTILUS.
1.1
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Vol. III. (Nos. 2 and 12 wanting). . $1.00
Vol. IV. May, 1890 to April, 1891, . 1.00
Vol. V. May, 1891 to April, 1892, . 1.00
Vol. VI. May, 1892 to April, 1893, . 1.00
Vol. VII. May, 1893 to April, 1894, . 1.00
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologist' s Exchange .” We
can furnish only odd numbers of this.
ABYBBTISIN® MATES.
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
six months or longer. In order to have the paper out promptly,
“ copy ” is put in the printer’s hands on the 20th of each
month.
Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to he given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will he free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in Mitra, Marginella, Aspergillum, Melania, Unio, etc. Wanted:
Eand shells. MissLinter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
Wanted : — Marine shells from any locality. Offered : —
Marine, Land and Fresh Water shells. Marine shells mostly from
Florida. J. J. White, Rockledge Fla.
Offered — A short list of Maine shells. Desired — Land-shells.
Rev. Henry W. Winkley, Saco, Maine.
Wanted: — To Exchange New and Rare species of Alabama
Land and Fresh water shells for same from other localities. Also
general list of 600 species. Send lists.
H. E. Sargent, Woodville, Ala.
Land and Fresh-Water shells of southern Wisconsin, to exchange
for the same from other localities ; or for Marine Curios. Send list
and receive mine. Polished Unios furnished when desired.
Mrs. E. C. Wtswall, Kenosha. Wis.
11 1896
The Nautilus.
Vol. viii. MARCH, 1895. : No. 11
UNIO OCHRACEUS AND CARIOSUS.
BY CHARLES TURKEY SIMPSON.
The senior editor of the Nautilus has asked me to point out in
a clear concise way the specific differences between Unio ochraceua
Say, andj Unio cariosus Say. They were both described in Nichol¬
son’s Encyclopedia, in an article on conchology, by Say ; and the
work, which is now long out of print, is exceedingly rare, and out
of the reach of the ordinary student.
Union ochraceus Say.
Both belong to a great assembly of North American forms fairly
typified by the well known Unio occidens, it being one of the few
groups that are well represented both in the Mississippi Valley and
122
THE NAUTILUS.
Atlantic drainage areas, which in the main are peopled by very dif¬
ferent Unio faunas.
The species which are the subject of this note, though closely re¬
lated and having about the same geographical distribution, are no
doubt distinct, and when one has learned to separate them he rarely
has any difficulty in distinguishing them at sight. As a rule, Unio
ochraceus is the more inflated and thinner shell of the two ; it is al¬
most invariably dull-colored, and the epidermis, especially at the
posterior end is generally raised into slight irregular folds, which
follow the growth lines. The rays, which are dirty green and ill-
defined, usually cover the posterior part of the shell, and sometimes
extend over the whole disc, becoming fainter towards the anterior
Unio cariosus Say.
end. The interior is dull-colored, often lurid, and quite frequently
tinted with reddish salmon or purple.
On the other hand, Unio cariosus is generally the more com¬
pressed of the two ; often showing a fairly well-defined angle on the
posterior slope; it is almost invariably smooth and shining; the
epidermis being yellowish or a dirty straw color, sometimes tinted
with brown. Usually above the posterior slope there are a few
wavy, very distinct, dark green rays, and sometimes, though rarely,
this radiation extends over the shell. The interior is usually white
or silvery, and more or less iridescent posteriorly.
In a very large series any of these characters may fail. Speci¬
mens of U. cariosus may be inflated, or very rarely slightly rough¬
ened ; there maybe individuals of either species that are uniform
in color, or rayed throughout, but in an extensive set they will, for
THE NAUTILUS.
123
the most part, hold good ; and the roughened, dull exterior, feeble
rays, and lurid interior of U. ochraceus, and the shining epidermis
and well defined posterior rays of U. cariosus are very constant.
Unio cariosus, on the whole, approaches much closer to forms of U.
occidens than it does to U. ochraceus.
The latter ranges from the Connecticut River and the state of
New York, south in the waters of the Atlantic drainage to Savannah,
Ga. Two specimens from the latter locality have remarkably red
interiors, and are a little peculiar, but are undoubtedly the species
in question. Unio cariosus is found in the vicinity of Quebec,
Canada, according to Latchford, and it has been reported from west¬
ern New York. A doubtful specimen is in the Lea collection from
Talledega, Ala. It is in the same collection from Edgefield, S. C.,
Ogeechee River, Ga., and Columbus, Ga., and these are no doubt
correctly named. Other shells in the Lea collection from Nas-
hotch, Wis., and Ontonagon, Mich., are very probably forms of
Un io occidens.
NOTES ON THE REPORTED EXTINCTION OF THE GENUS ACHATINELLA
AND MARVELOUS DEVELOPMENT OF A FLORIDA FASCIOLARIA.
BY JOHN FORD.
A most extraordinary account of a collection of shells, located
somewhere in the interior of New York State, was handed me by a
friend a few days ago.
This purports to have been written by a correspondent of a
Rochester newspaper, in the columns of which the article probably
first saw the light. The writer, it appears, does not claim any scien¬
tific knowledge of shells, nor can it positively be said that his bump of
imagination is abnormally developed. Nevertheless, he has given to
the paper alluded to, and consequently to the world, some very re¬
markable bits of information. Information, indeed, which, if true,
shows how puny are the geographical and scientific acquirements of
the general run of conchological students. Of course, for lack of
space in your columns, reference can only be made to one or two of
the marvelous statements embraced in the article. One of these re¬
fers to the genus Achatinella, of which the writer says, “ This shell
is confined to the Sandwich Islands and its tenant feeds on the
124
THE NAUTILUS.
herbage of these islands. Since the islands have been pastured, the
‘ variety ’ has almost entirely disappeared, and probably not more
than a half dozen specimens could be found there to-day.” What
a dire calamity! and how remarkable that these pretty little crea¬
tures should have “shuffled off their mortal coils” in the very sea¬
son that less regal robes slipped trom the shoulders of their Island
Queen.
A few flippant students may question this tale of starvation in the
midst of green pastures, but it will perhaps be well for them to
pickle their opinions, since the positive assertions of “ correspond¬
ents ” are not to be trifled with. The shell expert who can doubt
this starvation story would quite as likely question the following
narrative said to have been written by the “ experienced collector ”
who forwarded the shell referred to, to the aforesaid unparalleled
New York aggregation, viz. ; “ The large Florida Fasciolaria father
found one day by accident.
“ While drifting about in Florida waters his boat suddenly
touched what seemed to be a rock but it proved to be an immense
specimen of the Fasciolaria (sic), alive and travelling.” “This speci¬
men weighs several hundred pounds.”
A brief statement to be sure, but a graphic one, as the reader
will admit. There is not a word, however, as to whether the boat
was wrecked in its “ sudden ” contact with the limy mass “weighing
several hundred pounds.”
Nor is there any reference to the final disposition of that part of
“ the Fasciolaria” which, when struck, was “ alive and travelling.”
But this fact matters little, perhaps, since we are assured that the
“several hundred pounds” Avere gotten safely to the shore, and
finally into that collection of shells which (I quote again) “ is ex¬
pected to be in a short time the most complete and valuable one^
from a scientific standpoint, in the world.”
Presumably this monster of “Florida AVaters” is known to
Science as Fasciolaria gigantea, but alas ! how pitiable has been the
ignorance of the scores of so-called conchological experts who have
hitherto believed that this, the largest species of the genus, did not
exceed a paltry ten pounds in weight. Think of it, ye academic
plodders who for years have been gazing with wonder upon a petty
eight pounder, imagining the while that Florida had utterly failed to
produce anything larger in the same line. O, the pity of it ! You
that have given years of study and thought to the molluscan world.
THE NAUTILUS.
125
how could you so mistake a pigmy for a giant, a veritable baby for
a grandfather ? Far better would it have been had you made a
Mecca of the Empire State and sat at the feet of its astute corre¬
spondent, whose present throne is, doubtless, ye same old Fascio-
laria, “alive and travelling” and “weighing several hundred
pounds.”
NOTE ON HELIX SAULIJE PFR (non REEVE)=PALUMBA SOUVERBIE.
BY HUGH FULTON, LONDON.
Owing to an error in Reeve’s Monograph some confusion has
been caused as to the identity of the above species ; both Pilsbry
and Hidalgo have taken Reeve’s description and figure (Conch.
Icon., fig. 393) as being that of the type of saulice, consequently
and with reason, they have considered the palumba of Souverbie to
be distinct from the former species. The fact is, that when Reeve
described and figured his saulice, lie had not the type of that species
before him; the type specimen of Pfeiffer’s saulice in the Cumingian
collection, is identical with the palumba of Souverbie, Journ. de
Conchyl., 1858, p. 369 ; 1862, t. 10, f. 5.
I have not been able to find in the Cumingian collection the
shell figured by Reeve.
SHELLS OF AROOSTOOK CO., MAINE.
COLLECTED BY OLOF O. NYLANDER.
The species listed below were collected in the vicinity of Caribou,
Maine. Aroostook County is the northern county in Maine, and
very few species have hitherto been reported from there. The spec¬
imens of Limncea and Planorbis show great variation, the forms of
L. cmarginata are especially interesting.
Vitrina limpida Gld. Caribou.
Yitriea arborea Say.
Conulus fulvus Mull.
Pyramidula alternata Say. Woodland.
Pyramidula striatella Anth.
Pyramidula lineata Say.
Polygyra albolabris Say. Woodland.
Polygyra dentifera Binn. Woodland.
126
THE NAUTILUS.
Polygyra sayi Binn. Woodland.
Polygyra monodon Say. Woodland.
Strobilops labyrinthica Say.
Pupa pentodon Say. Woodland.
Vertigo gouldi Binn. Woodland.
Ferussacia lubrica Mull.
Succinea obliqua Say. Woodland.
Succinea ovalis Gld. Aroostook Co., Me.
Oarychium exiguum Say. Generally diffused.
Limnsea humilis Say.
Limnsea desidiosa Say.
Limnsea emarginata Say.
Limnsea emarginata mighelsi W. G. B.
Planorbis trivolvis Say.
Planorbis bicarinatus Say.
Planorbis bicarinatus aroostookensis Pils.
Planorbis campanulatus Say.
Planorbis deflectus Say. Streams generally. Very large speci¬
mens in inlet of Cross Lake.
Physa ancillaria Say. Square Lake.
Physa heterostropha Say. Generally abundant.
Campeloma decisum Say. Lakes and Streams.
Pomatiopsis cincinnatiensis Lea. Caribou Lake.
Unio complanatus Sol. Lakes generally. Some are very large.
Margaritana margaritifera L. Aroostook R. (rocky bottom).
Margaritana undulata Say. Square Lake.
Anodonta fragilis Lam. Caribou L. (mud bottom).
Sphserium sulcatum Lam. Salmon Brook Lake.
Sphserium striatium Lam. Square Lake.
Pisidium variabile Prime. Caribou Lake.
Pisidium abditum Hald. Caribou Lake.
NEW SPECIES OF LAND-SHELLS FROM THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.
BY WILLIAM H. DALL.
Bulimulus (Naesiotus) Reibischii n. s.
Shell elevated, slender, of a pale ferruginous tint, rather solid,
with nine whorls ; apex funiculate as in other Nesiotes, the first
two (nepionic) whorls finely ribbed and polished, the remainder
with numerous oblique or irregular transverse ribs crossed by nu-
THE NAUTILUS.
127
merous sharp spiral threads, with wider interspaces ; suture distinct,
somewhat appressed ; base of last whorl somewhat attenuated ;
whorls little inflated, but not flattened ; umbilicus a mere chink ;
aperture oval, higher than wide, rounded in front, the pillar simple,
the margins thickened but not reflected. Lon. 110; max. diam.
2 5 mm.
This shell has the sculpture of B. rugiferus Sby., and somewhat
the form of B. chemnitzioides Fbs., though shorter and with fewer
whorls. It is fairly intermediate between Ncesiotus and Pleuropyr-
gus. Two specimens were collected by the U. S. S. Albatross at
Indefatigable Island. The species is named in honor of Herr Paul
Reibisch who has recently worked up the Wolf collection from
these islands.
Buliroulus (Naesiotus) Fanneri n.s.
Shell short, stout, pointed, with six whorls of which two are nepi-
onic with the usual sculpture, while the others are marked only by
lines of growth and microscopic, inconstant spiral striation, of
which the most prominent lines are regularly spaced and micro¬
scopically beaded, when present; color pinkish or slightly brownish
white, no peripheral pale band visible on the specimens which, how¬
ever, are not perfectly fresh ; whorls well rounded, umbilicus large
and deeply pervious ; aperture large, with a widely reflected lip,
the outer lip much bent over on the body, closely approaching the
pillar and united to it by a distinct callus. Lon. 11*0; max. diam.
7*0 mm.
This belongs to the B.jacobi group, and is about the size of small
varieties of jacobi, but is more conical and stouter, and has an aper¬
ture very differently shaped and with a more broadly reflected lip
than any other species from these islands. It was found with the
preceding and is named in honor of Capt. L. L. Fanner, com¬
mander of the Albatross. The pillar is perfectly plain and with no
sulcus or fold at the base.
NOTE ON TASMANIAN ACM2EA AND ISCHNOCHITON.
BY H. A. PILSBRY.
Acmaea cantharus Reeve.
The habitat of this species was said, by Reeve, to be New Zealand ;
but Prof. Hutton, some years ago, corrected this error, stating that
128
THE NAUTILUS.
it is Tasmanian. Numerous specimens received from Mr. H.
Suter, collected by Mr. W. L. May, at Frederick Henry Bay, Tas¬
mania, show a considerable range in pattern of coloring. The in¬
terior is very much like that of Lottia gigantea, and the anterior,
marginal position of the apex also forcibly recalls that West Ameri¬
can species.
Acmaea parva Angas, var. tasmanica n. v.
Shell smaller, wider and higher than “ Nacella ” parva Ang. (P. Z.
S., 1878, pi. 54, f. 12), opaque white, with radial irregular rays of
bluish or subtranslucent white at the sides and short, transverse bars
of the same on the back. Length 8, breadth 2'2, alt. To mm.
Estuary of Derwent R., Tasmania, 10 fms. Collected by Mr. W. L.
May.
Ischnochiton (Haploplax) Mayi n. sp.
Shell short-oval, moderately elevated, carinated, the side-slopes
slightly convex. Surface smooth to the naked eye, but finely gran¬
ular. Color of valves and girdle uniform black above, or slightly
brownish at the beaks when eroded.
The intermediate valves have almost straight sutures, even a trifle
concave in old specimens, the beaks projecting a trifle in young
ones. Lateral areas distinctly raised ( the diagonal distinct and rather
wide), sculptured with several arcuate, indistinct growth-marks,
sometimes showing very slight traces of coarse, low pustules, but
these are hardly mentionable; all over minutely granulose in dia¬
mond pattern. Central areas with faint growth-strife anteriorly,
distinctly granulose at the sides, the granules arranged to form for¬
ward-converging riblets, which, though slight, are apparent on the
outer half of each valve; central portion of central areas smoothish,
with faint granulation only, beaks smooth. End valves sculptured
like lateral areas. Valve viii with mucro projecting, at about the
anterior third ; the posterior slope concave below the mucro and
then straight.
Interior dull blue-green, greener behind the rather heavy valve-
callus, the depth of the cavity rather lead-color. Sutural lamime
small, projecting less than half the length of a valve; sinus wide.
Slits in valve i, 11 ; valves ii to vii, 1-1 ; valve viii, 12-13. Teeth
sharp, smooth and short.
Girdle black, clothed with densely imbricating, coarse, convex,
smooth scales.
THE NAUTILUS.
129
Length 8, breadth 6 mm. ; larger, “ curled ” examples would
measure at least 10 mm. long. Divergence the same as in I. smnr-
agdinus.
Eagle Hawk Neck, east coast of Tasmania. Collected by Mr. W.
L. May, and communicated to me by Henry Suter.
This species belongs to the group of smoothish Australian species,
such as lentiginosus Sowb., smaragdinus Angas and virgatus Reeve.
It has more distinctly differentiated lateral areas and better de¬
veloped pleural sculpture than any of them, and is, moreover, of a
uniform black color. Types in coll. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.
In this connection it may not be out of place to direct attention
to certain errors in the volume on Chitons in the Manual of Conch-
ology. By the study of many specimens received from Messrs Bed-
nall and Cox, I find that two species were “lumped” under the
name Ischnochiton contractus. (1) I. decussatus Reeve, of which
castas Rve. and speciosus Ad. and Aug. are synonyms, and (2) con¬
tractus Reeve, of which Mr. Sykes considers pallidas Reeve a syno¬
nym. On account of the inadequate illustration and description of
Reeve’s C.crispus , I did not recognize it in my Isch. haddoni ; hut
upon sending specimens of the latter to Mr. E. R. Sykes for com¬
parison with Reeve’s type, he informs me that they are the same.
While something might be said in favor of ignoring Reeve’s name
on the score of insufficient definition, it may, in the long run, be
better to receive it and make my own I. liaddoni a synonym of I.
crispus. I regret the change, because my intention was to honor
Prof. Haddon, whose work on Chitons, as well as in other depart¬
ments of Zoology, is of great merit ; and a synonym is rather a
doubtful honor.
NEW SPECIES OF LAND SHELLS FROM PUGET SOUND.
BY WM. H. DALL.
In some minute shells sent for examination by Mr. P. B. Ran¬
dolph, of Seattle, after eliminating species already known, two forms
appeared to be inedited. Having sent them to Mr. Pilsbry for
criticism, he agrees that they are new, and the following descrip¬
tions are submitted.
130
THE NAUTILUS.
Patulastra? (Punctual?) pugetensis n. s.
Shell minute, pale greenish yellow, nearly smooth, the first whorl
and a half smooth, the others with fine, silky, close-set, hardly ele¬
vated lines or minute regular riblets, somewhat flexuous and in
harmony with the incremental lines; form moderately elevated, the
whorls inflated with a deep suture, and, in the adult, rapidly en¬
larging near the aperture in the latter part of the last whorl ; aper¬
ture large, quite oblique, almost circular, the segment of the body
between the two lips about one-sixth of the whole; umbilicus ample,
scalar, exhibiting part of all the whorls which make, in adults, from
three to three and a quarter volutions.
Alt. 0*5 ; max. diam. 1*5, min. diarn. 1*2 mm. Habitat, Seattle,
Wash., under leaves.
Pyramidula? Randolphii n. s.
Shell minute, reddish brown, with dull silky lustre, elevated, with
three and a half rather inflated whorls ; sculpture only of fine incre¬
mental lines, barely perceptible under an ordinary triplet lens ; su¬
ture deep, periphery rounded, slightly less so in the immature shell
but seemingly never angular ; aperture obovate, somewhat oblique,
wider than high, the body segment about one third of the whole;
top dome-like, base full, umbilicus small, subcylindrie, deep.
Alt. 075, max. diam. 1*4, min. diam. 1*25 mm. Habitat, with
the last.
This little shell recalls Conulus fulvus in form, but wants the
polish and imperforate base, and is more elevated and inflated than
C. fulvus of the same number of whorls. It is not unlike the little
Helix granum Strebel on a smaller scale. It is named in honor of
the gentleman who collected it, who is deeply interested in the mol-
lusk fauna of the Sound region.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Portrait of Rafinesque. — We are informed that portraits,
suitable for framing (12 x 14 inches), may be had for a nominal sum
to cover postage and packing, by addressing Prof.R. Ellsworth Call,
Manual Training High School, Louisville, Ky.
By error, the name of the author was omitted from the paper
“Note on Unio oregonensis Lea,” in the last number of the Nauti¬
lus. It should have been signed Charles T. Simpson,
THE NAUTILUS.
131
Navarchus. — In working upon the Tectibranchs for Vol. XVI
of the Manual of Conchology, I find that the name Navarchus, ap¬
plied to a group of Doridiidce, is preoccupied. I propose, therefore,
to substitute Navanax, the type being N. inermis Cooper.
Pleurotomaria Beyrichi. — A specimen of this rare species
has lately been added to the National Museum Collection, which
now possesses three of the four recent forms of the genus.
Note on Potamanax. — The name given tothisgroup of tropical
American Melanians has been used again for a genus of Lepidoptera
(Watson, Hesperidce, P. Z. S., 1893, p. 55). As the signature of the
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. containing the description of the mol-
lusk genus was actually distributed on Jan. 24, 1893, and the paper
containing the Lepidopterous genus was printed under the proceed¬
ings for Jan. 17, 1893, the latter has apparent priority. However,
the proceedings of that meeting could hardly have been actually
printed until some weeks after the meeting, so that it is extremely
probable that the name of the Lepidopter is later in date of actual
publication, and must, therefore, be changed.
We are indebted to Dr. W. D. Hartman of West Chester, Pa.
for the illustrations of Unio ochraceus and U. cariousus in this
number. They are from his Conchologia Cestrica, an excellent
work describing and figuring the shells of Chester Co., Pa., and
incidentally the majority of those of the Middle States.
Anatomy of Hemktvcla. — Dr. A. Krause (Nachbl. D. M.
Ges. Jan.-Feb. 1895, pi. 1) has recently dissected several species of
this Canary Island group of Helices, and finds their anatomy to be
practically identical with that of Tachea. The rank and position
assigned the group in Pilsbry’s “Guide to the Study of Helices” is
therefore fully confirmed. Its relationships are not with the
Madeira and Azores Helices of the genus Leptaxis, but with the
forms of true Helix of the European and N. African mainland.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
The Zoological Record for 1893 has appeared, containing the
records of Mollusca, Brachiopoda and Bryozoa, by Mr. B. B. Wood¬
ward. These digests of the literature of zoology are of such great
utility, when well done, that we cannot refrain from congratulating
the Zoological Society upon the admirable manner in which the
present Recorder has performed his difficult task. Mr. Woodward
should have the hearty cooperation of all the conchologists. His
132
THE JN AUTILUS.
labor would be materially lessened if authors would seud him “ sep¬
arates ” of their publications, as soon as issued, addressed to The
Editor of the Zoological Record, Zoological Society, 3 Hanover Square,
London W., England.
Description d’un Perideris nouveau [P. lechatelieri ] prove-
nant du Dahomey, par Ph. Dautzenberg (Journ. de Conch., 1893,
pi. I).
Desc. d’une nouvelle espece du genre Littorina provenant des
cotes de la Tunisie, par Ph. Dautzenberg (J. C., ’93, pi. I). L. ner-
villei.
Desc. d’une espece nouv. du genre Chama prov. des cotes
oceaniques de France, par Pb. Dautzenberg (Bull. Soc. Sc. Nat. de
l’ouest de la France, 1892, p. 133, figs. ). Chama nicolloni.
CONTRIB. A LA FAUNE MALACOLOGTQUE DES ILES SECHELLES,
par Ph. Dautzenberg (Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1893, p. 78). Con¬
tains important additions to the records in Martens’ work in Mobius’
Reise nach Mauritius, etc. No new species.
Cruise of the Steam Yacht “ Wild Duck ” in the Bahamas,
etc., Notes on the Shells Collected, by Wm. H. Dali. (Bull.
Mus. Comp. Zool. xxv, No. 9.) It appears that the lagoons of the
Bahama Is. are peopled by a peculiar mollusk fauna, evidently
derived from species living normally in the sea outside. The
number of lagoon species is small, and they are all marked by (1)
thinness of shell ; (2) diminutive size; and (3) when colored at all,
by brilliancy of color, as compared with their nearest relatives in
the adjacent sea. Among others enumerated by Dali which are
common to the sea and the lagoons, are the following which occur
only in and are characteristic of the latter: Cyrena colorata Prime,
Venus ( Anomalocardia ) leplalea Dali, Tornatina parviplica Dali,
Cerithium ( Pyrazus ) 7-striatum var degeneratum Dali, Cerithium
tenuis Pfr.
A considerable list of land species is given, among them Chondro-
poma watlingense and Cerion Agassizi are new, the latter fossil.
Dali calls attention to the fact that the name Strophia is preoccupied,
and proposes to substitute Cerion Bolteu, 1799, as Mdrch had
already done in 1850. He gives names to the subdivisions of the
genus indicated by Maynard, as follows:
Cerion s. s. Parietal lamina short, situated in the angle between
pillar and body-whorl ; short internal sets of laminae persistent ;
type, uva.
Strophiops Dali. Parietal lamina penetrating body-whorl to i,
5 or more its length, central, etc. Type decumana [not Fer. !=
regia Bens. !-Ed.]
Maynardia Dali. Like Strophiops, but parietal tooth short ;
type neglecta Mayn.
Diacerion Dali. Parietal lamina double within, and penetrat¬
ing one or two whorls ; type dalli Mayn.
Eostrophia Dali, 1890. No teeth or laminae. Type E. anodonta
Dali, fossil in lower Miocene, Tampa Silex beds.
$1.00 per Year. ($1.12 to Foreign Countries.) lOcts. a copy.
THE
NAUTILUS
A MONTHLY
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF CONCHOLOGISTS.
EDITOR :
H. A. Pilsbry, Conservator Conchological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR :
C. W. Johnson, Curator of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Vol. VIII. APRIL, 1895. No. 12.
CONTENTS :
PAGE.
Mollusk Fauna of Philadelphia and Environs By Morris Schick. . 133
Note on the Species of Veronicella found in Central America.
By T. I). A. Cockerell, N. M. Agr. Exp. Sla. . 140
Notes and News . 143
New Publications. . . 144
Published by
H. A. PILSBRY, Editor, Academy of Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
C. W. JOHNSON, Manager, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philad’a.
Entered at Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter.
11
THE NAUTILUS.
BACK VOLUMES OF THE NAUTILUS.
Vol. III. (Nos. 2 and 12 wanting). . $1.00
Vol. IV. May, 1890 to April, 1891, . 1.00
Vol. V. May, 1891 to April, 1892, . 1.00
Vol. VI. May, 1892 to April, 1893, . 1.00
Vol. VII. May, 1893 to April, 1894, . 1.00
Of Volume III 20 cents per copy will be paid for Nos. 2 and 12.
Vols. I and II were known as the “ Conchologist’s Exchange .” We
can furnish only odd numbers of this.
AB1TBMTISIK© HA^PBSs
Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of $1.00 per
inch for each insertion in advance. Smaller space in propor¬
tion. A discount of 25 per cent, will be made on insertions of
six months or longer. In order to have the paper out promptly,
“ copy ” is put in the printer’s hands on the 20th of each
month.
Address, C. W. JOHNSON,
Wagner Free Institute,
Philadelphia, Pa.
EXCHANGES,
The following space is to be given to exchanges. Notices not
exceeding three lines, will be free to subscribers as long as our
limit of space will allow.
For Exchange, 3000 species of land and marine shells, including
rarities in Mitra, Marginella, Aspergillum, Melania, Unio, etc. Wanted:
Land shells. Miss Linter, Arragon Close, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.
Wanted : — Marine shells from any locality. Offered : —
Marine, Land and Fresh Water shells. Marine shells mostly from
Florida. J. J. White, Rockledge Fla.
Offered — A short list of Maine shells. Desired — Land-shells.
Rev. Henry W. Winkley, Saco, Maine.
Wanted: — To Exchange New and Rare species of Alabama
Land and Fresh water shells for same from other localities. Also
general list of 600 species. Send lists.
H. E. Sargent, Woodville, Ala.
Land and Fresh-Water shells of southern Wisconsin, to exchange
for the same from other localities ; or for Marine Curios. Send list
and receive mine. Polished Unios furnished when desired.
Mrs. E. C. Wiswall, Kenosha. Wis.
APRo 1895
The Nautilus.
VOL. VIII.
APRIL, 1895.
No. 12
MOLLUSK FAUNA OF PHILADELPHIA AND ENVIRONS.
BY MORRIS SCHICK.
In the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila¬
delphia for 1861, page 306, Mr. W. M. Gabb has given a list of
Philadelphia mollusks, enumerating 62 species, seven of which are,
however, synonyms or doubtful inhabitants of this region. Having
collected a number of species in this vicinity which are not on Gabb’s
list, the writer thought it well to make a new one, giving exact locali¬
ties where the various species have been found during the last two
or three years in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and including
not only those forms personally collected, but also the species and
localities discovered by other local naturalists — Messrs. Walton,
Vanatta, Stone, Pilsbry, McGinty, Johnson, Ford, Fox and Eisen-
hardt, all of whom have contributed materially to the list.
The importance of the Philadelphia fauna, as being the type lo¬
cality of many of Thomas Say’s species, will always render it
of interest to those who study geographic variation ; and moreover,
an accurate local list is of value to conchologists in the future, in
determining the ever fluctuating geographic limits of species and
varieties. While many of the special localities herein recorded
will be destroyed by the growth of the city, others situated in Fair-
mount Park, especially along the Wissahickon, will doubtless per¬
petuate within the city limits most of the species indefinitely ; and
the aquatic forms will survive at least as long as the Schuylkill
furnishes the water supply of the city.
134
THE NAUTILUS.
The we«t bank of the Schuylkill above Girard Avenue was a
very good collecting ground, where one could find in good numbers
Polygyra hirsuta, P. thyroides, P. tridentata juxtidens , Pyramidula
alter nata, Gastrodonta ligera, G. suppressa, G. nitida, Vitrcea ar-
borea, and Selenites concava, with a few others not so common ; but
this place has been destroyed this year by the laying out of a drive.
On the land shells of the park, see Ford, Conchologists’ Exchange,
II, p. 7.
In his list Mr. Gabb refers to Helix labyrinthica as common near
Germantown ; I have been able to find but three specimens of this
species, after a dilligent search of three seasons. He also mentions
H. hirsuta as one of our commonest species, but this is now also un¬
common ; while others are becoming rare, there are some species
now quite common that are not mentioned in Mr. Gabb’s list, such
as Limax maximus, Pyramidula striatella, Vallonia costata, Papa
contracta, Succinea obliqua, Splicer ium striatinum, S. transversum, etc.
Helix egena Say, a depressed form of Conulus fulvus, was described
from ten miles above Philadelphia ; and C. chersina= fulvus is re¬
ported in Gabb’s list as found near Germantown by Tryon. It has
not occurred to recent collectors.
Helix appressa, admitted by Gabb, on the evidence of one speci¬
men found on E. K. Tryon’s estate near Germantown, was evidently a
lost cabinet specimen. Amnicola lustrica Say of Gabb’s list is the
half grown Pomatiopsis lapidaria. “ Margaritana rugosa Say,” is
an evident pen error for M. marginata Say, which Gabb omits.
Unio jisherianus reported from the Schuylkill above Girard Avenue
bridge, one specimen, may have been an incorrect identification.
TESTACELLIDJE.
[Testacella maugei Fer. Green house on School Lane, German¬
town.]
SELENITIDJE.
Selenites concava Say. Both banks of Schuylkill at Falls, and
below ; everywhere rare.
LIMACIDiE.
[Limax maximus L. West Philadelphia and Darby, plentiful in
cellars and green houses (Pilsbry) ; Wissahickon, uncommon ;
Laurel Hill Cemetery, common ; Germantown (Vanatta)].
Note. — Introduced species are enclosed in brackets The authority cited
for each special locality refers to that immediately preceding only, but many
of the places have been visited by several collectors.
THE NAUTILUS.
135
\_Limax agrestis Mull. Abundant in and around the city, and
varying much in coloration.]
Limax campestris Binn. Common in most suitable localities
around the city.
Z0NITID2E.
Gastrodonta stippressa Say. Belmont glen, common (H. E. Eisen-
hardt); Tulpohocken Valley, Germantown, uncommon ; Perkiomen ;
Glenside (Johnson) ; Fisher’s Station, Germantown (Stone).
“ I found a few specimens of this shell on the farm of my friend
Mr. Keuben Haines at Germantown.” (Say.).
Gastrodonta ligera Say. Wissahickon, common ; also near
Strawberry Mansion and West Falls of Schuylkill.
Gastrodonta ligera Stonei Pils. Westville, N. J., common ;
Hollyoak, Delaware (Stone, type locality).
Gastrodonta ( Zonitoides ) nitida Mull. Wissahickon ; West Park ;
and Westville, N. J., common. In Nov., 1893, they were found near
Strawberry Mansion, East Park, congregated in immense numbers
under logs (Vanatta).
Gastrodonta ( Pseudohyalina ) minuscula Binn. Wissahickon,
rare; West Falls of Schuylkill (Vanatta) ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
[Vilrece (Polita) cellaria Miill. Wissahickon, uncommon ; Con-
shohocken (R. Walton) ; found also in cellars of dwellings.] This
is the Helix glaphyra Say, described in Nicholson’s Encyl., Amer.
Ed., 1818. “ Taken by Mr. G. Ord in his garden in Philadelphia.”
(Say.)
Vitrcea arborea Say. Same locality as G. nitida; Fisher’s Sta¬
tion, Germantown, common (Stone) ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
Vitrcea indentata Say. Wissahickon, uncommon; Westville, N.
J., common ; Fisher’s Station, Germantown (Stone).
Vitrcea radiatula Alder (viridula Mke. ; electrina Gld.). Lans-
downe Valley, a few specimens ; Wissahickon, rare; near Falls of
Schuylkill (E. G. Vanatta) ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
ENDODONTIDJE.
Punctual pygmceum minutissimum Lea. Gloucester Co., N; J.
(Wm. J. Fox, Nautilus, IV, 113).
Pyramidula alternata Say. Wissahickon and Germantown, com¬
mon ; near Falls of Schuylkill (Vanatta) ; West Park (Ford) ;
Perkiomen (Johnson) ; a pallid, spotless variety is found along the
Wissahickon.
136
THE NAUTILUS.
Pyramidula striatella Anth. West Park, common ; Wissahickon,
common ; Westville, N. J., one specimen ; near Strawberry Man¬
sion, where, in Nov., 1893, they were found congregated in immense
numbers (Vanatta).
Pyramidula ( Helicodiscus ) lineata Say. Lansdowne Valley, un¬
common ; Wissahickon, a few specimens; near Strawberry Mansion
(E. G. Vanatta) ; Germantown (R. Walton ; Stone) ; near 58th St.
Station, P. W. & B. R. R. (Pilsbry) ; “ Found by Robert E. Griffith,
near Philadelphia.” (Say.) ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
HELICIDiE.
Polygyra ( Triodopsis ) thyroides Say. West Park, common ; Wis¬
sahickon, common ; Westville, N. J., common ; Monument Ceme¬
tery (E. G. Vanatta) ; Fisher’s Station, Germantown, and Fern
Rock (Stone).
Polygyra ( Triodopsis ) albolabris Say. Wissahickon; Laurel
Hill Cemetery ; Perkiomen (Johnson) ; Fern Rock, rare (Stone) ;
Westville, N. J. (Fox).
Polygyra (Triodopsis) tridentata Say. Wissahickon, moderately
common.
Polygyra ( Triodopsis ) tridentata juxtidens Pils. West Park, and
Laurel Hill Cemetery, common.
Polygyra ( Triodopsis ) fallax Say [FT. introf evens Bid.]. Flat
Rock Dam, rare (R. Walton) ; Monument Cemetery, rare (E. G.
Vanatta) ; Atco, N. J. (Fox) ; “ Presented to the Academy by
Messrs. Hyde and Mason who found it in the vicinity of Philadel¬
phia where it is not uncommon.” (Say.)
Polygyra ( Stenotrema ) hirsuta Say. West Park, uncommon ;
near Strawberry Mansion (E. G. Vanatta) ; Perkiomen (Johnson).
Polygyra ( Stenotrema ) monodon Rack. Strawberry Mansion (Ford) ;
Perkiomen (C. W. Johnson).
Vallonia pulchella excentrica Sterki. Ruins near School Lane,
common; Falls of Schuylkill (E. G. Vanatta) ; Fisher’s Station,
Germantown, common (Stone).
Vallonia costata Miill. East bank of Schuylkill, at Flat Rock
Dam, very common ; Falls of Schuylkill (E. G. Vanatta).
PTJPIDJE.
Pupa armifera Say. Ruins near School Lane, common ; Falls of
Schuylkill (E. G. Vanatta).
THE NAUTILUS.
137
Papa contrada Say. Ruins near School Lane, common ; east
bank of Schuylkill, at Flat Rock Dam, uncommon; near Falls of
Schuylkill (E. G. Vanatta) ; Fisher’s Station, Germantown, com¬
mon (Stone) ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
Pupa pentodon Say. Near 58th St. Station, P. W. & B. R. R.
Pilsbry) ; Falls of Schuylkill (E. G. Yanatta).
Pupa corti.caria Say. On walnut trees, School Lane, German¬
town, rare.
Papa fallax Say. Tulpohocken Yalley, Germantown (John
Ford).
Vertigo ovata Say. Tulpohocken Yalley, Germantown (John
Ford) ; “ Numerous specimens were discovered by Mr. Wm. Hyde,
in the vicinity of this city.” (Say.)
Strobilops labyrinlhica Say. Tulpohocken Valley, Germantown,
rare.
ACHATINID2E.
Ferussacia lubrica Mull. ( subcylindrica Auct., not Linne). Ruins
near School Lane, common ; Falls of Schuylkill (Vanatta).
\_Opeas odona Linn6. Introduced in green houses ; Horticultural
Hall (Robt, Walton)].
STTCCINEIDJE.
Succinea avara Say. Conshohocken, common (R. Walton) ;
Westville, N. J., one specimen ; Tabor (Stone).
Succinea ovalis Gould. Wissahickon, uncommon ; Westville,
common ; near Strawberry Mansion (Yanatta).
Succinea obliqua Say. Wissahickon, very common ; Westville,
N. J., common. Typical locality.
PHILOMYCIDJE.
Philomycus carolinensis Bose. Wissahickon, common; West
Park, uncommon; South of Darby; Glenolden, Delaware Co.
(Yanatta) ; Fisher’s Station, Germantown (Stone).
AURICULIDJE.
Carychium exile H. C. Lea. Wissahickon, rare (type locality).
Carychium exiguum Say. Wissahickon ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
LIMNJEIDJE.
Limncea catascopium Say. Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, and
Canal at Manayunk, common.
Limncea columella Say, Ruins near School Lane, common ;
lakes near Memorial Hall, common; Perkiomen Creek (Johnson) ;
THE .NAUTILUS.
138
Tabor (Stone) ; Ponds along the Darby Creek Branch of the Read¬
ing R. R.
Limncea humilis Say. Common in most localities.
Limncea desidiosa Say. Schuylkill River, common.
Planorbis bicarinatus Say. Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers;
Canal at Manayunk, common.
Planorbis trivolvis Say. Same localities as P. bicarinatus.
Planorbis deflectus Say. Canal at Manayunk, moderately com¬
mon ; Ivaighn’s Point. N. J., two specimens.
Planorbis exacutus Say. Ditch, South Broad Street, uncommon.
Planorbis dilatatns Gld. Near School Lane, rare ; Ponds, South
Broad Street; Fisher’s Station, Germantown (Stone).
Planorbis parvus Say. Ditch at Kaighn’s Point, N. J., common ;
near Strawberry Mansion (Yanatta) ; Fisher’s Station, German¬
town (Stone); Westville, N. J. (Fox).
Segmentina armigera Say. Westville, N. J., common ; ditch at
Kaighn’s Point, N. J., common ; ponds at Point Breeze (H. A.
Pilsbry).
ANCYLIDiE.
Ancylus rivularis Say. Rancocas Creek, N. J., and Schuylkill
R., near Columbia Avenue Bridge (E. G. Yanatta) ; Perkiomen
Creek (Johnson) ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
PHYSIDJE.
Physa heterostropha Say. This is the most abundant species,
being found in almost all streams, ditches and ponds of this vicinity.
Physa heterostropha ancillaria Say. Delaware and Schuylkill
Rivers. The specimens found show all the stages between hetero¬
stropha and ancillaria ; Westville, N. J. (Fox).
Aplexa hypnomm L. Glen Riddle, Del. Co.; ditch at Kaighn’s
Point, N. J., uncommon. This is probably the extreme southern
limit of this species.
VALVATILJE.
Valvata tricarinata Say. Schuylkill River, uncommon ; canal at
Manayunk, common. (Typical locality.)
Valvata bicarinata Lea. Same locality as the preceding ; West¬
ville, N. J. (Fox).
AMNICOLIDJE.
Amnicola limosa Say. Canal at Manayunk, common ; Westville,
N. J. ; Delaware River, below Gloucester. Typical locality.
THE NAUTILUS.
139
Amnicola limosa porata Say. Canal at Manayunk, uncommon;
lakes near Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, common; Perkiomen
Creek (Johnson).
Amnicola granum Say. Ditch at Kaighn’s Point, N. J., rare;
Corinthian Basin (John Ford).
Gillia} altilis Lea. Common in Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers ;
also canal at Manayunk ; Westville, N. J.
Pomatiopsis lapidaria Say. Delaware River near Westville, N.
J., common ; near Strawberry Mansion (Yanatta).
VIVIPARIDJE.
Lioplax subcarinata Say. Schuylkill River and Canal at Mana¬
yunk, common ; Delaware River, very abundant.
Campeloma decisum Say. Schuylkill River, and Canal at Mana¬
yunk, common ; Delaware River, uncommon ; Ponds near Point
Breeze (Pilsbry).
PLEUROCERIDJE.
Goniobasis virginica Gmel. Common in Delaware and Schuyl¬
kill Rivers; fine specimens at the mouth of Wissahickon Creek.
Like many Goniobases, this species is dimorphic, the form with
raised spirals ( multilineata Say), occurring with the smooth speci¬
mens.
CYRENIDJE.
Sphcerium stria tinum Lam. Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers;
canal at Manayunk, common.
Sphcerium sulcatum Lam. Cobb’s Creek (John Ford).
Sphcerium fabale Prime. Canal at Manayunk, uncommon.
Sphcerium par turn eium Say. Greenwich Point, S. Philadelphia
(McGinty).
Sphcerium transversum Say. Mouth of Wissahickon Creek ; Dam
in Tulpohocken Valley, Germantown, abundant; stream flowing
from Lily pond near Memorial Hall (Yanatta) ; Westville, N. J.
(Fox).
Pisidium virginicum Gmel. Delaware River ; canal at Mana¬
yunk, uncommon ; Rancocas Creek, N. J. (Vanatta).
Pisidium abditum Hald. Rock Run, uncommon; ditch at
Kaighn’s Point, N. J.; stream flowing from Lily pond near Memo¬
rial Hall (V.).
1 Gillia in Mollusca has several months priority over the same name in Pisces.
140
THE NAUTILUS.
Pisidium variabile Pme. Ditch at Kaighn’s Point.
Pisidium compression Pme. Canal at Manayunk.
UNI0NID.E.
Unio complanatus Solander. Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers,
very common; canal at Manayunk, very fine specimens; Muckini-
pallus Creek, Glenolden, Delaware Co. (Vanatta) ; Corinthian
Reservoir (Ford).
Unio nasxtius Say. Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, common.
Typical locality.
Unio radiatus Lam. Canal at Manayunk, abundant ; Delaware
River, not common.
Unio heterodon Lea, Canal at Manayunk, uncommon ; canal in
27th Ward (John Ford) ; Neshaminy Creek (C. W. Johnson).
Unio ochraceus Say. Delaware River, common. (Type local¬
ity).
Unio cariosus Say. Delaware River, rare. (Type locality.)
Margaritana undulata Lea. Raccoon Creek, N. J. ; Canal at
Manayunk; Muckinipallus Creek, Glenolden, Delaware Co. (Van¬
atta); Neshaminy Creek (Johnson); “Delaware and Schuylkill
Rivers” (Say).
Margaritana marginata Say. Tohickon Creek, Bucks Co. ; Ne¬
shaminy Creek (C. W. Johnson); Muckinipallus Creek, Glenolden,
Delaware Co. (Vanatta).
Anodonta fluviatilis Lea. Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers;
canal, Manayunk, moderately common ; Muckinipallus Creek,
Glenolden, Delaware Co. (Vanatta) ; Wister’s Dam, Germantown
(Stone) ; Lily Pond near Memorial Hall (V.).
Ariodonta fluviatilis Tryoni Lea. Typical localities, Schuylkill
River above Phila., and Delaware River at League Island; West-
ville, N. J. (Fox).
Anodonta undulata Say. Canal, 27th Ward (J. Ford).
NOTE ON THE SPECIES OF VERONICELLA FOUND IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
BY T. D. A. COCKERELL, N. M. AGR. EXP. STA.
It must be confessed that our knowledge of the Central American
forms of Veronicella is singularly inadequate, and the purpose of
this note is mainly to draw attention to the matter, in the hope
that those who have the opportunity will add to our information.
THE NAUTILUS.
141
It may be as well to say at once, that for satisfactory work in
this genus it is desirable to have at least a dozen mature examples
of each species. Working with few examples, there is danger of
taking varietal characters for specific ones, if the species is little
known. Once the true specific characters have been ascertained
from a good series, any single example, if mature, can be deter¬
mined ; but it is quite otherwise when the form is new, or belongs to
a species which has been described from only one or two examples.
From necessity, species in this genus have, in the past, usually
been described from one or two specimens. The descriptions, if pre¬
pared with reasonable care, even without anatomical details, will, I
believe, be easily recognizable hereafter. But at present we do not
know, in very many cases, which of the characters mentioned in the
descriptions are really specific, and consequently whether the as¬
sumed species are valid.
I do not wish to suggest that species of Veronicella ought not to
be described without numerous examples. If naturalists were to
wait in every case until the material was as abundant as they could
desire, our knowledge of tropical species of many groups would
hardly advance at all. When a student introduces a presumed new
species of Veronicella, having carefully ascertained that it differs
from all previously described forms, and in his description sets forth
that difference, he undoubtedly does good service. We are not to
be prevented from interesting ourselves in the forms of Veronicella
because we do not always know whether we are dealing with spe¬
cies, races, or varieties. But we should like to know the real status
of each form, and must consequently urge those who have the
chance to collect material to do their best to obtain sufficient.
The first Central American Veronicella to be named w7as V oli-
vacea Stearns, 1871. It was found in Nicaragua and has been
supposed to inhabit California also. Although it is practically cer¬
tain that it is not a native of California, it has been described in
works on North American mollusca on the supposition that it be¬
longed to that fauna. I have seen a specimen from Nicaragua, and
have given a few descriptive notes in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov.,
1890, p. 389. Mr. W. G. Binney has published a figure of this
same specimen.
The next species was made known in the year following, 1872.
This was V. moreleti Crosse and Fischer, from Mexico ; fulvous
with two blackish bands, whereas olivacea has no dark bands.
142
THE NAUTILUS.
In 1873 a second Mexican species was announced, V. mexicana
Pfeffer, in Strebel’s work on the fauna of Mexico, p. 130. It was
47 nun. long, red-brown to grey-brown and black-brown.
For many years no more additions were made ; until in 1885 (or
Jan. 1886?) Dr. Semper’s elaborate work on the genus appeared.
In this, on p. 293, we find V. mexicanus n. sp., from Mexico ; but
the author having discovered, too late to change the text, that there
was already a species of that name, takes the opportunity of writing
V. strebelii instead on the explanation to the plate. This mexicanus
=strebelii is 51 mm. long, 15? broad, with the female orifice 1J
mm. from sole and almost exactly equidistant from each end. On
p. 316 of the same work, Semper describes a true mexicanus Pfeff.,
which he had from Strebel. It was found in Vera Cruz, and was
whitish-flesh, only 20 mm. long, with the 9 orifice a little hind of
the middle. If this specimen was really of the same species as orig¬
inally described in 1873, it must have been somewhat immature.
In the same work of Semper, p. 295, appears a Chilian species, V.
decipiens Semper. This is supposed to be also a native of Mexico,
but I think the latter habitat must be accepted with some reserva¬
tion ; unless perchance, it has reached there accidentally through
human agency. It is dark yellowish-brown, with the mantle black-
spotted, 42 mm. long, 16? broad, $ orifice 1 mm. from sole, and
somewhat anterior to the middle. This V. decipiens is very much
like the Chilian V. adspersa Heynemann ; so much so that one
strongly suspects that they are forms of one species. They were
published nearly at the same time, but I think adspersa has prior¬
ity. Since Semper’s work no further additions have been made.
In the British Museum are two other forms, which are the more
interesting in that they represent new localities. They do not seem
to be precisely identical with any of the described species, but all
things considered, it seems preferable to leave them unnamed for
the present. Descriptive notes are appended :
(1.) Veronicella sp. nov., vel mexicana var.
Long, (in alch.) 42?, lat. 20?, sole lat. 10 mm. $ orifice from
head 22 (almost median), from sole 2 mm. Sole rather rounded
posteriorly, not projecting beyond mantle, finely and closely trans¬
versely striate. Mantle above rugose-granulose, not at all papil¬
late ; color pale grayish-ochreous, above obscurely gray mottled,
with the slightest indication of a dorsal and lateral dark band, only
noticeable when looked for. Back arched, rounded. Upper ten¬
tacles grayish, lower pale ochery.
THE NAUTILUS.
143
Honduras. Collector unknown. Heynemann had seen it when
he visited the museum, and had written “ nov. sp. ? ”
(2.) Veronicella sp. nov., vel punctatissima subsp.
Long, (in alch.) 41 i, lat. 12, sole lat. 4 mm. 9 orifice from
head 21 (almost median), from sole 21 mm. Sole very narrow,
rounded behind, not projecting posteriorly, regularly and strongly
transversely striate its edge longitudinally grooved. Mantle above
thickly but rather irregularly impressed punctate, not papillate.
Superior tentacles gray, lower pale ochrey.
Jaw brown, not very dark, with 36 very strong ribs. Penis ta¬
pering. Color variable, as follows :
(a) Pale ochreous, above brown from thick brown mottling, with a
slightly indicated but quite observable pale dorsal line. Below
with sparse black mottling. Six examples.
(b) Similar, but with more or less black spotting also above, though
sparse. Four examples.
(c) Similar, but dark brown above, no pale dorsal line.
Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui. Collector unknown.
The interesting point may here be noted, that whereas the Nicar¬
aguan olivacea and the Honduras species are typically Central Am¬
erican forms, and show a good deal of resemblance to the species of
the greater Antilles, the Panama species is quite different, and be¬
longs with the series of the lesser Antilles, Trinidad, etc.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Unio cariosus and ochraceus. — By an unfortunate oversight,
the wood-cuts of these two species in the March number were trans¬
posed. The figure on page 121 is U. cariosus; that on page 122 is
U. ochraceus.
Bythinia tentaculata. — A new locality for this species is
Black Lake, Holland, Michigan, Mr. L. H. Streng having collected
adult and young in all stages of growth there.
Mr. H. E. Sargent, having spent some weeks in New England,
has returned to his home at Woodville, Ala.
Mr. James M. De Laney has removed from Bochester to South
Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y.
144
THE NAUTILUS.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Distribution of the Land and Fresh-water Mollusks of
the West Indian Region, and their Evidence with Regard to
Pa9t Changes of Land and Sea. By Charles Torrey Simpson (Proc.
U. S. Nat. Mus., XVII, 1894). — After a statement of the geographic
facts in regard to the region, and the depths of sea between and
around the main islands, Mr. Simpson considers the means of distri¬
bution of the land and fresh-water mollusks from island to island,
concluding that while some forms have been transported by drifting
trees, etc., the main means of transport has been by means of former
direct land connection of islands now separated. “ There appears
to be good evidence of a general elevation of the Greater Antillean
region, probably some time during the Eocene, after most of the im¬
portant groups of snails had come into existence, at which times the
larger islands were united, and there was land connection with Cen¬
tral America by way of Jamaica. * * * At some time during
this elevation, there was probably a landway from Cuba across the
Bahama plateau to Florida, over which certain groups of Antillean
land mollusks crossed. * * * There followed a period of general
subsidence. During this the island of * * Jamaica was first
isolated, then Cuba, and afterwards Haiti and Puerto Rico were
separated. The subsidence continuing until only the summits of the
mountains of the four Greater Antilles remained above water ; then
followed another period of elevation which has lasted until the pres¬
ent time. * * The Bahamas have appeared above the surface of
the sea, either by elevation or growth, and have been peopled by
forms drifted from Cuba and Haiti. The lesser Antilles have been
peopled, for the most part, from S. America.” These conclusions
are based upon tables showing the distribution of species and genera
on the various islands, and the later movements are supported by
well-known geological facts. The evidence for the earlier elevation
should be compared with Spencer’s “ Reconstruction of the Antillean
Continent” (Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., VI, Jan., 1895), founded upon
a study of the supposed sunken river-valleys, and altogether support¬
ing Mr. Simpson’s conclusions. That the West Indian region ac¬
tually stood two miles above its present level, as claimed by Spencer,
is a proposition requiring much more proof than has been offered, to
bring it out of the realm of mere suggestion or hypothesis ; and we
are certainly not prepared to endorse it ; but the orogenic move¬
ments required to fulfill the conditions asked by Mr. Simpson are far
more moderate, and, it seems to us, by all odds the most reasonable
explanation of the facts of distribution. Mr. Simpson’s paper con¬
cludes with the descriptions of Sagda maxima, Neocyclotus bakeri,
Lucidella costata and Pleurodonte boivdeniana n. spp., from Jamaica,
the latter three from the Miocene beds at Bowden.