96 PKOCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



Fishes of the New Jersey Coast, they were found to differ from those found 

 more inland, taken at Trenton, N. J., but coincided with the original diagnosis; 

 there are at least two varieties, one characterized by their larger size, chocolate 

 brown color of the body, and unmarked caudal, the other, much smaller, nearly 

 black, with a white margin to the caudal fin, wider at the angles and lost near 

 the centre of the posterior edge of the fin. 



No opportunities have as yet been offered to see the spawning of this species; 

 but that it guards its ova as the Pomotis maculatus* Gill, is highly probable. 

 The ova in all probability are deposited very early in March, in the latitude of 

 Philadelphia, as very young specimens were taken by the author on the third 

 of the present month. The young were swimming in loose shoals, and were 

 accompanied by a number of adult specimens, who were guarding them from 

 the ravages of the pike, (that they themselves might feast the better.) 



Description, of a new genus (STEEPHOBASIS) of the family MELANID.E, and 



three new species. 



BY ISAAC LEA. 



Family MELANIDJ3. 

 Genus Stkephobasis. 



Testa cylindracea. Apertura subquadrata. Columella inferne incrassata 

 et retro-canaliculata. Operculum corneum, instar spirse. 



The mollusk for which I propose this genus, was sent to me by Wm, Spill- 

 man, M. D., of Columbus, Mississippi, and I have before me over a dozen 

 specimens from a third to nearly an inch in length. The very great number 

 of species of the genus Mclania, makes it desirable to eliminate any group with 

 characters sufficiently distinct to permanently recognize it. The very remarka- 

 ble retrose callus at the base of the column, causing a lateral sinus, is charac- 

 teristic of this genus. 



Strephobasis Spillmanii. Testa lasvi, cylindracea, crassiuscula, vel tene- 

 broso-fusca vel virente, valde vittata, nitida ; spira obtusa, curta, ad apicem 

 carinata ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus superne convexiusculis, 

 ultimo constricto ; apertura subgrandi, subquadrata, intus caerulescenti et 

 valde vittata ; labro acuto, sinuoso ; columella sinuosa, ad basim incrassata 

 et retro canaliculate. 



Hab. Tennessee River. Wm. Spillman, M. D. 



Strephobasis cornea. Testa lsevi, cylindracea, crassa, cornea ; spira" ob- 

 tusa ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfractibus superae 1 convexiusculis, ultimo 

 constricto ; apertura rhombo-quadrata, intus luteo-alba ; labro acuto, sinuoso ; 

 columella sinuosa, ad basim incrassata et retro-canaliculata. 



Operculum small, ovate, spiral, dark brown, with the polar-point near the 

 base. 



Hab. Tennessee River. Wm. Spillman, M. D. 



Strephobasis Clarkii. Testa lasvi, cylindracea, subtenui, luteo-cornea, 

 trivittata ; spira, valde obtusa, curta. ; suturis irregulariter impressis ; anfracti- 

 bus quinis, superne convexiusculis, ultimo constricto ; apertura subgrandi, 

 quadrata, intus albida, valde vittata ; labro acuto ; columella sinuosa, ad basim 

 alba, incrassata et retro-canaliculata. 



Hab. Tennessee River, at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Joseph Clark. 



*The author has lately seen in a large aquarium, the Brytlus chatodon guarding its 

 nest and eggs similarly to the manner of the common sun-fish. This may be a habit, 

 characteristic of the family Ichthelidce , as the Ichthelis rubricauda has often been 

 noticed making its nest in May, after ihe manner of the type of the family, though in- 

 variably preferring deeper water, which may be a reason of its not having been gene- 

 rally noticed. 



[April, 



