166 Marine Shells of the Western Coast of Florida 



are smaller, thinner, with sharply cut points about their edges. They 

 are closely distributed along a connecting cord to the number of 5 

 to 100. From 15 to 50 eggs are in each capsule. The proximal end 

 of the ribbon is fixed in the sand. 



Genus 3IEL0NGEIVA Schumacher, 1817 

 3IeloiigeiiJi fOroiisi''o-^ (Gmelin) PI. 33, figs. 235a. b, c, d 



Alt., to 110 mm. Shell ovate, short spire; large, inflated body 

 whorl; spirally banded with white, brown and amber shades in 

 irregular arrangement; shoulder of whorls sloping, slightly con- 

 cave; periphery of body whorl and one or more preceding turns 

 with one, two or three rows of sharp, semitubular spines; lamellar 

 extension of spines cross shoulder and sutures to body of whorl 

 above. The spines may be horizontal, crest incurved, or rarely, 

 recurved; always at site of an earlier aperture. A row of spines, 

 single, double or treble may encircle base of shell, marking locations 

 of notches at bases of former apertures. Aperture wide, oval; deep, 

 recurved notch at base; outer lip simple; columella twisted, thin 

 columellar callus; operculum oval, dark brown. Shells often covered 

 by an adventitious growth of marine algae. 



Common and abundant in shallow water; prefers muddy bot- 

 tom. 



Egg capsules of Melongena corona (Gmelin) PI. 52, figs. 351a, b, c 



Melongena corona spawns from January to June, in shallow 

 water, quite unaffected by exposure between tides. The round, flat, 

 thin capsules from 14 to 30 mm. in diameter, are placed in regular 

 rows of a few more or less than 10. They are supported on a com- 

 mon ribbonlike base, which peels readily from its attachment, 

 usually shells, especially oysters or submerged pieces of wood. The 

 number of small ova in each capsule is rarely less than 25, frequently 

 more, but only a small proportion develops to embryonic maturity. 

 The shells of M . corona are exceedingly variable in size, relative 

 proportions, development of spines and in color; forms intermediate 

 between extreme variations may usually be found in any locality 



^"^ Fr., melongene, eggplant; Lat., corona, crown. 



