328 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



[1897, 



CYPRiEA LYNX DEFORMED BY DISEASE. 



BY JOHN FORD. 



A very remarkable series of shells comprising sixty or more spec- 

 imens of diseased Cyprcea lynx (figures 1, 2, 3) was recently secured 

 by the writer while examining a barrel of mixed species of Cyprcea 

 that apparently came direct from Singapore, E. Indies. As much of 

 the animal matter remained in all of the shells it seems quite probable 

 that they were barreled, indiscriminately, as soon as obtained. The 

 action of the disease appears to have been the same in all the spec- 

 imens, the chief abnormal characters being a pallid and emaciated 

 appearance of the outer margin of the right lip, and the outward 

 bow-like curve of the same (fig. 1). In some instances from within 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 3. 



Fig. 2. 

 Abnormal Cypriea lynx. 



the lip a thin, shelf-like partition, suggesting a former imperfect lip 

 projected partly across the cavity. Several millimeters above this 

 partition a second lip appears, with teeth that are fairly normal (fig. 

 2). In fig. 3, a shell is shown in which a flat, white, shelf-like lip 

 replaces the convex and crenulated peristome of the normal shell. 



Other irregular characters are present, but those specified are the 

 most important. As a rule the left lip and dorsal parts of the shells 

 exhibit normal conditions both of form and color. So far as can be 

 learned no specimens similarly affected have been heretofore observed. 



No evidence of the disease was apparent in the associated species. 



Representative specimens have been presented to the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and to the Wagner Free Institute 

 of Science. A fine suite may also be seen in the writer's collection. 



