338 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL. MUSEUM Vol.89 



Within the umbilicus 9 additional spiral threads of almost the same 

 strength are also present. On the base and in the umbilicus the 

 junction of the axial riblets and spiral threads produces weak nodules. 

 Aperture broadly oval; peristome double, the inner rather strongly 

 exserted and slightly reflected; the outer thick, broadly expanded and 

 reflected, narrower on the parietal wall than on the rest of the shell 

 and marked by a series of concentric lamellae. Operculum ? 



The specimen described and figured, U.S.N.M. No. 355892, a 

 cotype, was collected by Gundlach at Rio Seco, Pico Turquino, 

 Oriente Province, the type locality. It has 4.5 whorls and measures: 

 Length, 14.0 mm.; greater diameter 8.1 mm.; lesser diameter, 6.6 mm. 



Subgenus Blaesospira Crosse 



1890. Blaesospira Crosse, Journ. Conchyl, vol. 38, p. 280. 



Shell ranging from ovate-conic to corkscrew-shaped. All of the 

 postnuclear whorls or only the last part of the last turn solute. The 

 axial sculpture consists of slender lamellar ribs, upon which at regular 

 intervals hollow spines are located. This regular disposition of the 

 spines suggests spiral sculpture, which, however, is not apparent in 

 the intercostal spaces. The intercostal spaces are marked by a 

 varying number of axial threads, which range in strength from mere 

 hairlines to slender lamellae. Opercukim with a strongly elevated 

 multispiral lamella, which is slightly outbent at the free edge. The 

 nucleus of the turns is subcentral. 



Type : Blaesospira echinus ([Wright] Pf eiff er) . 



The genotype was brought to the attention of collectors by Charles 

 Wright, who distributed specimens far and wide with the designation 

 "Vinales." UntU comparatively recently, subsequent collectors failed 

 to rediscover it. The National Museum collection contains a large 

 series of specimens from American collectors, as well as from foreign 

 collectors, but all of these had their source in Wright's collecting. 

 Recently Dr. de la Torre's collectors have discovered this species on 

 El Queque, and we are giving a figure of the El Queque specimens, 

 as well as a figure of a specimen collected by Wright to show that 

 they are consubspecific. 



We have likewise two collectings from the Sierra del Infierno, 

 evidently from two different places, as they show subspecific dif- 

 ferentiation, which we are here recognizing. In this connection let 

 us mention that Father Roca also obtained a distinct species in 

 the Sierra San Andres, which we diagnose here, also. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF THE SUBGENUS BLAESOSPIRA 



Spiral rows of strong spines 4 echinus 



Spiral rows of strong spines 3 rocai 



