The Shells of New England. 37 



different minerals undergo from the commencement and 

 throughout the progress of internal as well as of external de- 

 composition, that much unexpected light will be thrown on 

 several of the great problems of Geology. 

 Boston, 6th April, 1841. 



Art. v.— descriptions OF TWENTYFOUR SPECIES OF 

 THE SHELLS OF NEW ENGLAND. By J. W. Mighels, M. D., 

 of Portland, Me., and Prof. C. B. Adams, of Middlebury College, Vt. 

 (Read Nov. 17, 1841.) 



We regard nineteen of the recent, and the two fossil spe- 

 cies as new. The other three species we have discovered, for 

 the first time, on our coast. The two species of Cingula, 

 viz. C. semicostata and C. arenaria^ are probably identical 

 with Turbo semicostatus and T. are^idrius, of Montagu : one 

 species of Margarita, probably identical with M. acuminata^ 

 Sowerby. 



Notwithstanding the extraordinary advance which has been 

 made, within four years, in the Conchology of New England, 

 by the discovery of species hitherto unknown, or not observed 

 within our limits, the rich treasures of Nature's storehouse are 

 not yet entirely exhausted. The stomachs of fishes, to which 

 attention was first directed by our honored associate, Mr. J. P. 

 Couthouy, have been fertile sources of discovery. With the 

 exception of Pleurotoma violdcea, all the following recent ma- 

 rine species have been taken from the stomachs of Haddocks, 

 {Morrhua ceglejimis. Lin.) and Codfishes, {Morrliua Amer- 

 icana^ Storer. ) In addition to these, a rich store of most of 

 the species described by Mr. Couthouy and Dr. A. A. Gould, 

 and until very recently extremely rare, has been obtained 

 from the same sources. 



We most cheerfully acknowledge our indebtedness to our 

 esteemed friend, Dr. Gould, for his aid in identifying most of 

 the species, and to several gentlemen who have aided us in 

 our explorations ; among whom wc would particularly notice 



