PHASIANELLA. 139 



of hue ; they are all more or less sombre ; but very beautiful 

 is the symmetry of their graduated screw- like proportions. 



Shells of the second genus^ TJiasianella, have long excited 

 the admiration of collectors^ on account of their highly 

 polished surface and beautifully variegated painting. The 

 fringed collar which embellishes the Turritella is also a con- 

 spicuous ornament in the occupant of this beautiful shell, 

 and its narro^^ed disc is distinguished by three pairs of 

 finger-like processes. Even the ear-shaped and calcareous 

 operculum, or small door with which the inhabitant shuts 

 up his dwellingj has its own appropriate ornament. 



Home-loving in their habits, the PhasianellcB abound in 

 various localities. The larger species are from New Holland ; 

 but a small specimen, the P. pulla, is conjectured to be 

 found on our own coasts, as also two others in the West 

 Indies and Mediterranean. 



Beautiful in his watery haunts, along the shores of New 

 Holland, and well deserving of generic honour, the Elen- 

 cJms has been separated from his brethren ; and, though 

 uniform in shape and but little calcareous, the shell is 

 richly iridescent, and the typical character of the genus 

 may be recognized in the well known Troclms iris, of which 

 the brilliant rainbow tints are nearly unrivalled. 



