THE ECOXOMIC MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 



35 



WOKKS OF ReFEKENCE. 



E. Ingersoll. "^ History and Present Condition of the Fishery 

 Industries," U. S. 10th Census, pp. 23"^-233; also, "Natural 

 History of Useful Aquatic Animals," p. 697. 



6. Bucciuum iiudatiim Linna?us. 



Whelk, Long Whelk. 



[Buccinum, a trumpet; widatum, waved.] 



DiSTRiBUTioi<r. (a) Geyieral; — Above low-water mark to 

 six hundred and fifty fathoms (Verrill); New Jersey to Arctic 

 Ocean and around North Atlantic to Great Britain and 

 France. 



(b) In Acadia; — (in N. B.) abundant everywhere on Char- 

 lotte County Coast; Northumberland Strait, Wliiteaves. (In 

 N. S.) Annapolis Basin, moderately abundant, Verhruzen\ 

 whole coast, Jones. Prince Edward Island, Dawson. Probably 

 abundant around the entire coast of the three provinces, 



Habits. It lias beeu considered by some writers that our commou 

 shore Whelk is not the same species as the Buccinum undatum of 

 Europe. But those who have given 

 the question the most recent and most 

 careful study consider them identical; 

 and in any event, it does not matter for 

 our present purpose which is the case. 

 They are so neai'ly alike in all respects 

 that they are one so far as their uses to 

 man are concerned. 



As would be expected from the great 

 variety of conditions as to temperature, 

 depth, freshness of water, etc., under 

 which it is found, this species is quite 

 variable in form, size and color. Yet 

 it presents characteristics which enable 

 it to be alwaj^s readily distinguished 

 when once a student becomes acquaint- 

 ed with it. 



The only littoral shell with which it 



can be confounded is Purpura lapillus. 



But, unless quite young, it is much 



larger than the latter, an average size being three inches in length, 

 o 



Fig. 6. — Buccinum undatum. 

 Natural size. 



