198 Marine Shells of the Western Coast of Florida 



rim of umbilical depression; columella short with two white folds, 

 upper heavy, stout, with shallow furrow on its lower aspect. 



The shade and banded patterns of this shell are variable, the 

 shoulder band appears constant, and there is often a light band near 

 base. 



Common in mud or tidal flats, often climb bushes and grasses. 

 Melampus is eaten in large numbers by migratory ducks. 



Genus DETRACIA Gray, 1840 

 Detracia bullaoidessea (Montagu) PI. 53, fig. 359 



Alt., 11 mm. Shell smooth, ovate, rather slender, about 10 

 whorls; spire one-third of altitude; color brown with variable pat- 

 tern of obscure transverse bands and longitudinal wavy lines of 

 cream color; epidermis dark shining-opaque; aperture almost length 

 of body whorl, narrow above; outer lip thin, white crenations some 

 distance from edge; columella with one strong basal fold, deep 

 rounded notch above. 



Near high water mark. Usually under wood or stone. 



^®^ Lat., detrahcre, to take away; bulla, bubble; Gr., eidos, form, shape. 



