Marginellidae 173 



usually with three brownish spiral bands, several reddish-brown 

 spots on outer lip. Spire short, flattened, body whorl large, shoulder 

 convex, aperture almost length of shell, narrow, notched at base; 

 outer lip thickened — thin in young specimens; columella with four 

 sharp folds below. 



Shallow water. In sand or on grassy bottoms. 



The small mollusks are alert and active and respond quickly 

 to the presence of food in the neighborhood. They are carnivorous. 



Marginella apicina virginea Jousseaume is a pure white or flesh- 

 colored form of M. apicina. 



Egg capsules of Marg'inella apicina Menke PI. 53, figs. 356a, b, c 



Marginella aureocincta^is Stearns PI. 36, fig. 243 



Alt., 4 mm. Shell translucent, white, usually with two amber- 

 colored spiral bands; fusiform, spire elevated, body whorl a little 

 more than half height; sutures distinct, overlaid with glossy enamel; 

 aperture almost length of body whorl, narrow, wider at notched 

 base; outer lip thick, columella with four oblique folds. 



Common and abundant on grassy and sandy bottoms, often 

 creeping over marine grasses. 



Marginella denticulata opalina"* Stearns PI. 36, fig. 244 



Alt., 8 mm. Shell smooth, polished, light- or dark-amber color, 

 often with band of darker color, fusiform, five whorls; spire elevated, 

 body whorl contracted at base, suture distinct; aperture little more 

 than half height of shell; outer lip thick, columella with four oblique 

 plications. 



With other Marginellas. Often among marine grasses. 



Marginella minuta^is Pfeifter PI. 53, fig. 357 



Alt., 2.5 mm. A minute M. apicina. White, translucent, polished; 



outer lip finely denticulate within, columella with four oblique folds. 



Marginella siiccinea3i6 Conrad PI. 36, fig. 245 



Alt., to 14 mm; body whorl, 9 mm. Shell smooth, translucent, 



highly polished, pale yellow; five whorls; spire moderately elevated, 



^^3 Lat., aurum, gold; cinctus, girdled. 



31* Lat., dens, dentis, tooth; opalus, a precious stone. 



21^ Lat., minutus, small. 



^i** Lat., succineus, amber colored. 



