Phorus, fXenophora) Gonchyliophora, Born 



BY F. W. WEAVER. 



Shell trochiform, usually thin and brittle, except where other objects 

 are fastened to it. Whorls flattened, upon which are fastened bits of 

 stone, coral or shells. Umbilicus narrow, sometimes covered. 



In the Phorus the Conchologist has a rival, for this interesting- 

 species is also a collector of shells with which it adorns its habitation. 

 Usually they pick up an indiscriminate variety of bits of stone, coral 

 or shells, using care that no sharp edges are turned downwards, to 

 impede its movements. A specimen in my collection seems, in its young 

 state to have had a liking for bits of black stone. As it grew larger 

 it selected only a certain species of bivalve shell, which, owing to their 

 smooth convex surfaces, could not be fastened securely, and a number 

 had dropped off, leaving an indentation. The animal, apparently taking 

 notice of the fact, began using Cerithiums, fastening them by the apex, 

 and embedding them so securely that they could not be removed with- 

 out breaking its own shell. 



A fine specimen in the British Museum has adorned its shell almost 

 exclusively with Cerithiums. To select these from among the many 

 varieties with which it came in contact must have required some 

 intelligence. They are deep water shells and are most numerous in the 

 seas of China and Java. 



Owing probably to the mass of objects which the creature places 

 upon its shell its movements are very clumsy and when crawling about 

 it staggers and rolls as if overburdened with its heavy load. 



List of Long Island Shells 



BY S. C. WHEAT. 



The shells named in this list were found by the writer or by a mem- 

 ber of the club working with him, except where some authority is 

 mentioned. Staten Island is included in the area examined. Most of 

 the collecting was done in August, 1903, in the vicinity of Centre 

 Island, lying between Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor and Long Island 

 Sound. No deep-water dredging was done. Only a small part of Long 

 Island has been w r orked by members of the club. 



Publications quoted are "Check List of the Mollusca of Xew York," 

 Letson, N. Y. St. Mus. Bui. 88, 1905; "List of Marine Mollusca of 

 Coldspring Harbor," Balch, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. 29, 

 No. 7, 1899; "Report on the Mollusca of Long Island," Smith and 

 Prime, Annals Lyceum Nat. Hist., N. Y., 1870. 



