2 JOURNAL OF THE [Januarj , 



readily distinguished by the shell. Fulgjir carica has the lower 

 three volutions of the spire furnished with a series of distinct, 

 triangular tubercles ; v/hile Sycotypus canaliculatus, devoid of 

 tubercles, has the suture of the spire furnished with a deep, sub- 

 quadrangular canal, gradually decreasing in size as it approaches 

 the summit. 



The shell of both species has a brown epidermis. In the case 

 of Sycotypus this epidermis supports bristly hairs, about one- 

 quarter of an inch in length, whose bases are so regularly dis- 

 posed on longitudinal ridges of the epidermis as to give the ap- 

 pearance of minute longitudinal and transverse striations, sepa- 

 rated by a distance of about one-fortieth of an inch. 



The horny, flat operculum, which effectually closes the orifice 

 only when the animal has deeply retired within the shell, is per- 

 haps comparatively small as respects the size of that shell. 



The egg-cases of both species, from their large size and curi- 

 ous form, are always objects of interest when first observed. 

 They are popularly known as " sea-necklaces." They consist of 

 a number of capsules — from fifty to one hundred — of a very 

 tough, parchment-like material, of a flattened, elliptical form, 

 about one inch broad, in close succession overlapping each other, 

 and connected at one edge by a stout and very strong filament 

 of the same material, two feet or more in length. The capsules 

 of Sycotypus have the edge acute, and the broad, upper surface 

 crossed by ten to twelve prominent radiating ridges. The cap- 

 sules of Fulgur have the edges truncate and ridged, with the 

 broad surfaces smooth. These capsules contain each sometimes 

 as many as forty eggs. The young, as they mature, issue from 

 the capsule by breaking through a small, thin portion of the 

 membrane near the edge opposite the retaining cord of the 

 "necklace." The "necklace " is always imperfect at one end, 

 this portion consisting merely of the strong cord and a few scat- 

 tered immature capsules. Until recently it has been doubtful 

 which end is first extruded from the oviduct. But I have found 

 the late accounts confirmed by the testimony of an acquaintance 

 who is observant, and well-versed in the habits of these mol- 

 lusks. He informs me that he has often captured them with 

 the " necklace " half extruded, and that the imperfect end is 

 always laid first attached to some object just below the surface 



