THE NAUTILUS. 79 



IS'otbing but superlatives of the highest order can do justice to the 

 superb appearance of this group. Where each species exhibits a 

 style of beauty peculiar to itself, and all are charming, any special 

 reference to individual perfection would seem invidious. 



Some, it is true, show a higher caste of beauty than do others, but 

 none the less are they all graceful and fair to look upon. With 

 slight modifications these remarks will also apply to the genus Buli- 

 viiis in an adjoining case. This group is not so patrician in general 

 appearance, but a large percentage of the species are sufficiently 

 handsome to create a desire for possession in the heart of the collec- 

 tor. 



Nor would this desire be lessened on his beholding, a few feet a- 

 way, the grand display made by the genus Achatina, many species 

 of which are quite large, symmetrical in form and radiant with color. 



Following these, with an almost complete com[)lement of species, 

 are still many families belonging to the Piilmonata. 



Among this number, the best known are the Aehatinellidae, the 

 Cylindrellidae, Pupidae, Succlneidae and Aiirictilidae. 



All are rich in species especially interesting to the student, and 

 possibly so to the casual observer ; but lack of space prevents any 

 further allusion to them at present. For the same reason but little 

 reference can be made to the multitude of bivalves still unnoticed. 

 These belong to the Class Pelecypoda, and are chiefly marine. 

 Among the most beautiful of the genera are the Tellina, Cythe- 

 rea, Tapes, Cardium, Trigonia, Spondylus and Pecten. These are 

 the queens of the Class, though many other genera are endowed 

 with species but little inferior either in form or color. 



Few, however, can rival the regal beauty of TeUina radiata, Cy- 

 therea erycina, Tapes literata, Cardium pseudoUma, Trigonia mar- 

 garitifera, Spondylus priiiceps, Pecten pallium and otlier species grac- 

 ing their respective genera. All gems, rare gems from ocean sands 

 and caves 



" Where the foot treadeth not, nor the eye may scan ; 

 Deep, deep from the haunts and the homes of man." 



Philadelphia, October, 1890. 



NOTES ON BULIMULUS DORMANI W. G. B. 



BY CHARLES T. SIMPSON, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



In the Oct. Nautilus Mr. Berlin H. Wright separates a form of 

 Bulimulus Dormant from the type, calling it var. albida, and 



