456 



DENTALIIDJi;. 



small end of the shell, corresponding with the orifice in 

 the vertex of F/ssurella, and subserving the same pur- 

 pose. The stomach of the Dentaliiche is furnished with 

 a strong gizzard, and the vent is sub-central. 



Genus dentalium, Linnaeus. 



Shell symmetrical, tubular, tapering, recurved, surface 

 longitudinally ribbed or striated ; apex perforated, per- 

 foration entire, without any fissure or emargination ; aper- 

 ture circular. 



Syn. Tubulus, Scilla. Dentale, List. Dentalis, 

 Llwyd. Syringites, Auct. Canalis, D'Argenv. Cana- 

 lites, Vogel. 



Ex. D. vulgare, Da Costa, pi. 5'2, fig. 1. Shell, D. 

 arcuatum, Linn(Bus, fig. 1, a. 



According to Clark, the " Tooth Shells," as they are 

 often termed, are animal feeders, devouring with avidity 

 Foraminifera, and sometimes small bivalves. They are 

 usually found in deep water, and often bury themselves in 

 mud and sand. 



Species of Dentalium. 



abbreviatuiu, Desk. 

 alternatum, Lea. 

 ambiguum, Chenu. 

 aprinum, Linn. 

 arcuatum, Linn. 

 dentalis, Linn. 

 elephantinum, Linn. 

 ellipticum. Sow. 

 fasciatum, Gmel. 

 formosum, Adams and Reeve. 

 gigauteum, Brug. 



IndicuiD, Chenu. 

 Lessoiii, Desk. 

 lacteum. Desk. 

 multistriatum. Desk. 

 nigrum. Lam. 

 Novte Hollaudias, Chenu. 

 novem-costatum. Lam. 

 octogouum, Lam. 

 Panormum, Chenu. 

 politum, Linn. 

 pseudo-sexagonum, Desh. 



