248 American Seashells 



raised, spiral fold which is cut by i, 2, or 3 spiral, incised lines. Color varia- 

 ble, but usually bluish gray or whitish brown with violet stains around the 

 fasciole and lower part of the aperture. Brown and pure-white specimens are 

 sometimes found. Abundant in summer months in sandy bays and beaches. 

 Sometimes dredged down to 25 fathoms on gravel bottom. 



F^7inly MITRIDAE 

 Genus Mitra Lamarck 1799 



Mitra ftorida Gould Royal Florida Miter 



Plate 13! 



South half of Florida and the West Indies. 



1/4 to 2 inches in length, with about 6 whorls. Characterized by its 

 smooth, white, glossy whorls which bear on the last one about 1 6 spiral rows 

 of evenly spaced, small, roundish dots of orange-brown. There are also odd 

 patches of light orange-brown. 9 columella folds, the lower 7 being very 

 weak. An uncommon species considered a choice collector's item. Formerly 

 known as M. fergusoni Sowerby. 



Mitra swainsoni antillensis Dall Antillean Miter 



North Carolina to Florida and the West Indies. 



3 inches in length, about M as wide, with the aperture half as long as 

 the entire shell. 10 whorls smooth, except for 5 or 6 weak spiral threads on 

 the upper fourth of the whorl. Columella with 4 slanting, spiral folds, the 

 largest being the uppermost. Color grayish white with a light-brown to olive 

 periostracum. Short siphonal canal slightly recurved. Rare. 



Mitra nodulosa Gmelin Beaded Miter 



Plate 26b 



North Carolina to Florida and the West Indies. 



% to I inch in length, solid, glossy, orange to brownish orange in color, 

 and with about 1 7 long, axial riblets which are rather neatly beaded. Suture 

 deep, with the whorls slightly shouldered. Columella folds 3, large and 

 white. A common species frequently washed ashore or found under rocks at 

 low tide. 



Mitra styria Dall Dwarf Deepsea Miter 



Lower Florida Keys and the West Indies. 



/4 inch in length, fusiform in shape, moderately fragile and ashen-white 



