BULIMUS. 275 



Shell elongate, ovate, even fusiform, thin, ■with deU- 

 cate lines of increment, yellowish white, with about six 

 unequal, interrupted, sometimes coalesccnt, bluish-black 

 bands on the large whorl, three of which are continued 

 on the uj^per whorls. Whorls six or seven, slightly con- 

 vex, with a fine, well-marked suture. Aperture less than 

 half the length of the shell, lunate, one half longer than 

 wide, rather acute at base ; hp sharp, expanded, its colu- 

 mellar portion widening upwards, and* protecting a moder- 

 ate-sized umbilical opening ; columellar margin straight. 

 The bands of the exterior reappear, in still deeper colors, 

 in the fauces, but terminate at some distance short of 

 the lip, which is white, or tinted more or less rose-color. 



Length of axis an inch and a half ; diameter seven- 

 tenths of an inch. 



Geographical Distribution. Found in the region 

 of Vera Cruz, Mexico, and also in Texas. 



Eemarks. This shell belongs to a group of which 

 there are numerous closely allied species, or else is a 

 species of which there are numerous varieties. From the 

 knowledge we have of the tendency to variation in some 

 other species inhabitmg the same region, we should be 

 inclined to the latter opinion. Others, it appears, have 

 thought differently, and have described them as distinct 

 species. According to our view, we have placed two of 

 Mr. Reeve's species among the synonyms to Mr. Say's 

 species, and should even be disposed to add to them his B. 

 meridanus, and B. Californicus, and also the B. Vin- 



