212 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



species when they are traced from the Jackson Eocene clown to the 

 present time. To obtain a good idea of this series it is perhaps best to 

 consider first the more recent forms. As stated above, the Uving 

 PyruJa papyratia is chiefly notable for its large and swollen apex, the 

 smooth stage being confined to one whorl. The cancellated stage is in 

 no way unusual. 



To find an ancestor for the Pyrula papyratia of Florida seas we natur- 

 ally look in the Pliocene of the Gulf and other Southern States. A 

 form w^hich has been referred to P. papyratia'^ is furnished by the 

 Floridian Pliocene, and another shell from the Pliocene Waccamaw beds 

 of South Carolina has been likewise regarded as specifically identical 

 with it. A critical study of the Florida Pliocene form demonstrates 

 that it is extremely close to the recent species. In fact its cancellated 

 stage is similar in every respect. The apex is likewise almost the same, 

 but differs in having the cancellated stage begin a little later in the 

 ontogeny. The first whorl is also perhaps a trifle smaller in the fossil 

 form. Altogether this Florida Pliocene type is specifically identical 

 with the recent P. papyratia. Nevertheless the author believes that 

 it may with propriety be designated as the subspecies Pyrula papyratia 

 caloosahatchiensis. The Waccamaw Pliocene forms have an apex 

 similar to that of P. papyratia caloosahatchiensis. The individuals 

 examined are, however, all immatm'e, and it is therefore impossible to 

 note the sculpture of the later cancellated stage. It is probable that 

 a better series of specimens will establish the identity of this race with 

 the one from the Florida Pliocene. 



In the Miocene beds of the United States Pyrula appears to be a 

 rather uncommon fossil. From the Calvert Miocene of Maryland 

 Martin has described Pyrula harrisi.^ He says that good examples 

 are rare. I have had no opportunity to examine specimens of this 

 species, but it appears from the figure to be well removed from the 

 P. papyratia stock. In the very full collection of the Wagner Free 

 Institute of Science (Philadelphia) is a specimen collected in Duplin 

 County, North Carolina, by Mr. Charles W. Johnson. It has been referred 

 to P. papyratia. On a close examination of this form, however, it is 

 evident that we must assign to it a separate specific name. It is also 

 plainly distinct from the Maryland P. harrisi. It is by its apical char- 

 acters that this North Carolina species is distinguished from the Plio- 

 cene and recent P. papyratia. The smooth stage occupies about 1.5 



^ See Dall, Trans. Wag. Inst., Ill, p. 1G3. 



* Md. Geol. Stirv. Miocene, p. 226, pi. LV, fig. 3. 



