146 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



Specimens of this species, or of one closely resembling it, vary 

 remarkably in color, and to a notable degree in general contour, 

 number of spines to a whorl, their length and stoutness, &c. 

 Younger individuals, up to three or four inches in length, are 

 much variegated, but pretty regularly so, with the brown bands; 

 the full-grown ones are too different in this respect to be concisely 

 described. The oldest lose distinctive coloration, from the growth 

 of rough dark epidermis, and are usually incrusted with foreign 

 substances, as well as often with balani, ostreje, &c. Inside, the 

 shells appear to have no determinate color ; this varying from 

 indefinite whitish, with some variegation from the colors outside 

 showing through (in young specimens), to yellowish ortawn}^; 

 and finall}', in mature spring specimens at any rate, to brilliant 

 salmon — almost red. I should judge that the coloration could 

 afford no reliable specific characters. The shells bleach pure white 

 in time, passing through a tawny or rusty stage ; others present 

 slate, or almost black, discoloration. The upper surface of the 

 foot in life is jet black, contrasting strongly with the vivid color 

 of the under side. 



This species, and the last, as well as, doubtless, the others, ai'c 

 carnivorous, and apparently rapacious, animals ; they also prey 

 upon each other. I have found younger shells of both carica and 

 eanaliculata^ enwrapped and half hidden in the folds of large 

 individuals of their own and the other species. 



" There are probably several species of Busycon on our coast, 

 but they are not well made- out. No. 1*771, as well as some of the 

 smaller ones (thus 1*132, &c.), having numerous rather low spines 

 and dark brown bands, is probably B. spinosum (Conrad, Pr. A. N. 

 S. Phil., 1862, p. 553)." 



Busycon perversum, Linn. 



Common; about equalling, I should judge, canaliculatum in 

 numbers. It generally passes, hereabouts, for a "she conch," 

 carica being the " he." 



Caucellaria reticulata, Linn. 



Common ? Two or three specimens, dead. 

 Fasciolaria tulipa, Linn. 



One mutilated specimen (2126). 



[July 25, 



