160 A. K Verrill — Molhisca of the N'eir EnghDid Cotist. 



bears minute nodules. The rest of tlie surface is cancellated nearly 

 as in the typical form, but the riblets are frequently more conspicuous 

 than the cinguli. Forms intermediate between the variety and the 

 type are of frequent occurrence. 



This variety occurred, with the typical form, at stations 2043 and 

 2084, (No. 37,81V and 37, 796). It was also taken at station 2038, in 

 2033 fathoms (No. 37,797, one dead); and at station 2096, in 1451 

 fathoms (No. 37,793, one living). 



This species may readily be mistaken for Bela hehes^ especially 

 when somewhat broken and eroded. The nucleus, however, is en- 

 tirely diiferent and the aperture is narrower anteriorly and shows a 

 more distinct constriction at the base of the siphon, which is narrower 

 and less open than in the latter. The sculpture is also more distinctly 

 and more regularly cancellated. 



Bela subvitrea Verriii, sp. nov. 



Shell translucent, white, thin but firm, fusiform, moderately stout, 

 with a high, regularly tapered, acute spire, consisting of about six 

 rounded whorls, which are crossed by rather thin, prominent ribs, 

 strongly bent in a sigmoid curve, and having on the lower whorls 

 rather faint spiral sculpture. 



Whorls four to five below the nucleus, strongly convex and a little 

 swollen at the rounded shoulder, which is rarely somewhat angulated, 

 and wnthout a definite subsutural band. Suture strongly impressed, the 

 upper part of the whorl rising rather abruptly from it. The nucleus 

 consists of about two small, prominent whorls ; the first is small, 

 rounded, slightly mamilliform, and a little prominent ; the next, con- 

 stituting the greater part of the nucleus, increases rapidly and is de. 

 cidedly prominent and somewhat obliquely placed, and bears about 

 four or five raised, revolving lines, which are sometimes crossed by 

 distinct lines of growth. The suture between tlie last nuclear whorl 

 and the next is strongly marked and more oblique than any of the 

 others. The remaining whorls are crossed by rather conspicuous, 

 sharp, and rather elevated ribs, which are strongly excurved at and 

 just above the shoulder, curving forward rapidly to the suture, and 

 bending forward more gradually below the shoulder, forming a dis- 

 tinct sigmoid curve. The interspaces between the ribs are much 

 wider than the ribs themselves, distinctly Qoncave, ami crossed by 

 rather feeble cinguli, which arc usually not apparent ou the ribs 

 themselves. On the upper whorls the spiral lines are usually more 

 conspicuous than on the lower ones, but are often indicated chietiy 



