124 Marine Shells of the Western Coast of Florida 



glossy periostracum; aperture semilunar, simple; columella oblique, 

 reflected, notched at umbilicus; deep umbilicus more or less filled 

 with entering callus; operculum calcareous, internal surface fawn 

 color, externally white with about six deeply cut channels parallel 

 with external margin; columellar margin finely serrate. 



Inhabits sandy bottoms beyond low tide mark. Animal preys 

 upon bivalves and has been seen to devour dead fish. 



Natica pusilla^is Say PI. 24, fig. 166 



Alt., 4-6 mm. Shell small, sturdy, subglobular; spire depressed, 

 body whorl large; color white or a shade of fawn, with faint chestnut 

 markings and obscure bands; aperture semilunar, outer lip sharp; 

 columella oblique, thick; reflected columellar callus pressed into 

 umbilicus which appears as an arcuate depression; operculum cal- 

 careous, smooth. 



This smallest of the Florida Naticas is often confused with 

 young A^. canrena. Its depth range is from low water mark to 15 

 fathoms. 

 Egg collar of Natlca piisilla Say PI. 46, fig. 323 



Genus POLINICES Montfort, 1810 

 Polinlces lacteus^ia (Guildlng) PI. 46, fig. 324 



Alt., 25 mm. Shell rounded, obliquely ovate; white, thin yellow- 

 ish epidermis, spire depressed, body whorl expanded; sutures distinct; 

 surface smooth, faint growth lines; aperture semilunar; columella 

 oblique; heavy reflected callus partly filling deep umbilicus; opercu- 

 lum corneous, amber or claret color. 



Dredged in four to six fathoms. 

 roliuices (lui)licalus--o (Say) PI. 24, fig. 167 



Alt., 45 mm; largest Gulf specimen measured, alt. 62, diameter 

 74 mm. Shell subglobular, smooth; spire more or less depressed, 

 much individual variation in this character; body whorl large, 

 sutures distinct; color bluish or ashy gray, not always uniformly 



-^s Lat, pusillas, very small. 



219 Gr., Polyniccs, son of Oedipus; Lat., lactfus, milky. 



220 Lat., duplicatus, doubled. 



