90 BULLETIN 111, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



them from the general series. It is probably a very widely distrib- 

 uted species on the ocean floor. 

 The following are west Atlantic records in the museum collection: 



SIPHONODENTALIUM (SIPHONODENTALIUM?) STRIATINUM, new species. 



Plate 16, fig. 3, 8. 



A lot of 10 specimens, none of which are in good condition, from off 

 Fernandina in 294 fathoms, are not referable to any known Scaphopod 

 species. Although none of these preserve the apical features in 

 sufficient definiteness to establish their positive reference to Siph- 

 onodentiUum, yet the general facies of the shells seem clearly to 

 place them within that group. An objection lies in the fact that 

 these shells are not wholly sculptureless, but even this fact might 

 not constitute a bar, as so few species of this genus are known. 

 Doctor Watson included the sculptured Siphonodentalium ehoracense 

 under this genus, and his dictum was approved by Pilsbry and Sharp 

 in their monograph.^ It seems best for the present to include this 

 species here, and should new and better material come to hand and 

 make more positive this classification, the original description of Sars's 

 genus can be amended to include sculptured forms. I feel quite 

 sure this will ultimately be necessary. 



The shell is moderately to strongly and irregularly curved, short, 

 of rather quickly increasing diameter, and with a relatively large 

 apical opening. The cylinder has not the regularity of increase 

 usual in Dentalium, but in certain sections of the shell it appears 

 to be slightly swollen. It is thin but not fragile, translucent and 

 white in color, the surface having an oily rather than a polished 

 appearance. About 60 very ininute longitudinal striae, beginning 

 at the apex and continuing with lesser distinctness to the senile por- 

 tion of the shell, are a peculiar feature. These striae can hardly be 

 seen without the aid of a strong lens. Any apical features, if present, 

 are not revealed by National Museum specimens. The ragged 

 edges of the apices may indicate a series of lobes or slits. 



The type. Cat. No. 108166, U.S.N.M., measures—length, 7 mm.; 

 diameter, 1 mm. It was dredged by the Albatross at U. S. B. F. 

 Station 2668, off Fernandina, Florida, in 294 fathoms, bottom of 



1 Manual of Conchology, \ ol. 17, p. 1-10. 



