The Nautilus. 



Vol. VII. MARCH, 1894. No. 11 



SHELL COLLECTING IN NORTHERN ALABAMA. 



BY H. E. SARGENT, WOODVILLE, ALA. 



Huntsville, Alabama., the county seat of Madison County, is a 

 somewhat exceptional southern city in that it has an abundant supply 

 of pure spring water bursting forth from its very foundations. This 

 spring of sparkling lime water, beside supplying the city mains, 

 affords a constant stream several feet in Avidth and several 

 inches in depth to go to \va.ste. In this stream and also in the reser- 

 voir I have, upon several occasion.s, taken large numbers of Gonio- 

 basis nassula Con., var. perstrlata Lea. A recent visit, however, 

 disclosed the fact that although still plentiful in the reservoir, this 

 interesting species has almost disappeared from the sti'eam. A flock 

 of geese near byoifered a possible solution of the mystery. 



Upon this occasion, a more careful search was made than upon 

 former visits, with very satisfactory results. The upper surfaces of 

 the rocks were found to be covered with a species of Ammicola 

 which the Editor refers to a form previously had from Florida, and. 

 for which he proposes the name of Ammicola olivacea Pils. In more 

 secluded spots, several specimens of P/etwocera brumbyi Lea were 

 also taken. These specimens were much larger than those found in 

 other streams in this vicinity. A hand-dredge brought from the 

 oozy bottom numerous beautiful clear specimens of Pisidium sp. 

 Physa halei Lea and Limnaea desidiosa Say were found in consider- 

 able numbers. A single young specimen of Planorbh trivolvis Say, 

 and a single valve of Sphaerium indicated their presence, although 

 no good specimens were taken. Several dead specimens of Cam- 

 peloma coarctatmn Lea also came to light. 



