334 LAND AND FRKSII-WATEU SHELLS OF N. A. [PART IV. 



Operculum elliptical, spiral, dark brown with the polar point near 

 the base. 



Habitat. — Yellowleaf Creek, Shelby County, Alabama; Dr. E. R. 

 Fig. 640. Showalter. 



Diameter, '40 ; length, -90 of an inch. 

 |(ji||^ Observations. — This is a somewhat inflated species, with 

 four regular brown bands and reminds one of bullula herein 

 1) described. It is not so solid a species, is usually more in- 

 flated, higher in the spire and has not usually any striae, 

 although some specimens have a few. Neither of the specimens 

 before me has a perfect apex, therefore the number of whorls is un- 

 certain. The aperture is not quite half the length of the shell. — Lea. 



248. G. excavata, Anthony. 



Melanin excavata, Anthony. Ann. Lye. N. Y.. vi, p. 99, t. 2, f. 18, March, 18.54. Bix- 

 NEY, Clieck List, No. 102. Brot, List, p. 3Z. Ueeve, Monog. Melania, sp. 

 385. 



Description. — Shell ovate-conic, smooth, olivaceous, thick; spire 

 obtusely elevated, decollate ; whorls 3-4 remaining, flat or concave ; 

 sutures distinct; penultimate and body-whorl with a broad, deep, 

 concave excavation, their edges being elevated into an obtuse carina, 

 tipped with a lighter color; lines of growth very strong; aperture 

 not large, ovate, reddish within ; columella regularly curved, thick- 

 ened by a deposit of calcareous matter purplish and Fig. 641. 

 white, indented near its base, without any sinus. 



Habitat. — Alabama. 



Diameter (of an eroded example), -44 (11 millim.); 

 length (of an eroded example), '84 of an inch (21 mil- 

 lim.). Length of aperture, -40 (10 millim.) ; breadth of 

 aperture, -22 of an inch (5i millim.). 



Observations. — An unadorned species of a dull olive-color, not easily 

 confounded with any of its congeners. Differs from M. fusifurmis. Lea, 

 by its broad, more elevated spire, its purple mouth, unadorned with 

 bands, but above all, by the peculiar excavation on the lower whorls, 

 which is so peculiar as to distinguish this species from all others. 

 — Antliony. 



Figured from Mr. Anthony's t3'pe, which exhibits so un- 

 mistakably the signs of diseased growth that it must not be 



