316 



TURRITELLID^. 



nice wliicli are thick, curved, and covered with large cilia. The 

 Fi 583 ^y^^ ^^*® conspicuous, black, oval, and situated at nearly 

 the middle of the bases of the tentaculae, a little toward 

 the inner sides. The operculigerous lobe projects a lit- 

 tle beyond the operculum. 



In keeping alive several individuals of this species 

 from April to Novemlier, I observed the following stages 

 of growth : First. A slender, thin, arcuated form with few distinct 

 ribs. Second. The anterior half of this form, left by the decadence 

 of its posterior half, with a part of the growing adult shell. Third. 

 The adult form. Thus septa would appear to be thrice formed. 



This species inhabits the laminarian zone in New Bedford Har- 

 bor, where it was dredged adhering to groups of Vermeti QStimpsori). 



C. pulchellum. 



Genus VERITIETUS, Adanson. 1757. 



Shell tubular, spiral at the apex, irregularly and loosely twisted 

 towards the aperture ; operculum horny. 



Vermetus radicula. 



Shell conic-tubular ; usually many tubes are intertwined into a group ; un- 

 equal strife run the whole length of the tube. 



Vermetus lumhricalis, Gould, Inv. 1st ed., not of Lam. 



Vermetus radicula, Stimpson, Shells of New England, 37 ; Check Lists, 5. 



Fig. 584. 



V. radicula.* 



Shell consisting of a long, rough, ash-colored, 

 conical tube, marked with numerous, unequal, 

 raised lines along its whole length. At the 

 pointed end is a spire of eight or ten closely 

 connected whorls, upon each of which are two 

 sharp, elevated ridges. This portion usually 

 lies in a horizontal direction, and is attached 

 by one side to some foreign body. The coil 

 then becomes ascending and lax until it can 

 barely be called tortuous. The aperture is cir- 

 cular, with a sharp, simple edge, and is closed 

 by a horny operculum, having a central nu- 

 cleus, and concentric elements. 



The length of the closely spiral portion is 

 from half an inch to an inch ; it is then con- 

 tinued indefinitely. Some of my specimens 



* I am indebted to E. R. Mayo, Esq. for the opportunity of figuring a fine specimen 

 from Buzzard's Bay. — W. G. B. 



