THE NAUTILUS. 
11 
munications must be in writing. The most valuable papers consist 
of annual reports, which are sent to the members in turn, and are 
finally preserved by the general secretary. During the past years 
excellent work has been done by members of this Chapter, and an 
invitation is extended to working conchologists to apply to the 
secretary for membership. 
The President of the Chapter is Prof. Josiah Keep, of INI ills 
College, Cal., and the Secretary is Mrs. M. Burton Williamson, 
University P. O., Los Angeles Co., California. 
MELONGENA CORONA Gmel. 
BY FRANK A. WHITE, GEORGIANA, FLORIDA. 
For many years I have seen these shells and have been sure that 
they were from a living mollusk, but until March 20, 1894 had 
never seen one alive. 
On that day I went from Georgiana to Oceanus and as the river 
was very boisterous I went by way of the Thousand Islands. When 
about half a mile from my destination we all went ashore for a few 
miuutes and there in the shoal, still water, were several pairs of 
Melongena corona apparently in the act of copulation. I very much 
desire to visit the station again when I have more time at my com¬ 
mand and secure more of the shells and observe more closely their 
actions. 
Structural and Systematic Conchology in the description says 
operculum solid ” but does not give material. It is horny and not 
very thick. 
There is some variation in the living shells some having varices 
near anterior end of aperture, others smooth. Some time ago I 
found a broken shell much larger than any recent shell I have seen. 
The spire and part of the body whorl were gone but the aperture 
was intact and measured 3 inches in length including the callus of 
posterior canal. This seems to indicate that in “ prehistoric times” 
these mollusks attained a much greater size than at the present 
time. 
I neglected to say in the proper place that the living shells were 
in the Banana river in brackish water. 
