LITTORINA. 61 
gate, along with the following species, in coteries of 
considerable size. The varieties sawxatilis, gugosa, and 
tenebrosa also occur more or less commonly. 
British distribution —Throughout our coasts very com- 
mon. The finest specimens I have taken were got at 
Shoreham. 
Foreign localities—From Iceland (Verkriizen) and Spitz- 
bergen (Zorell), throughout Northern and Western Europe 
as far as Spain (M‘Andrew). In America it is found in 
Greenland, Labrador, the St. Lawrence, and south as far as 
Rhode Island (Gould). The following localities are also 
given in Brit. Con.:—Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black 
Sea, Acores, Mexico, Vancouver, Northern Japan, and 
(perhaps) the Sea of Okhotsk. 
* Littorina littorea, Linnét 
Turbo littoreus, Linné; Cochlea fusca, &e., Lister ; Turbo 
ustulatus, Lamarck ; Littorina vulgaris, Sowerby. 
Habitat—Very abundant below high water mark of neap 
tides down to low tide, and occasionally in the Laminarian 
zone. It frequents stony and rocky beaches, living among 
Fuci. The predominating colour in this district is blueish 
black ; dirty brown is not uncommon, and bright orange 
red is sometimes met with. Of this last I have taken three 
examples in Rothesay Bay and North Bute. This whelk is 
largely collected for the market, the best locality for this 
purpose being the rugged coast of Kilbrennan Sound, 
whence, for a number of years, considerable quantities were 
shipped to England. The present species is generally eaten 
by the lower classes in the West of Scotland, to the exclusion 
of the large Fusi and Buccina, which are so much prized in 
England. Lister tells us that the Scarborough fishermen 
called them “couvins.” Here it is known as the whelk or 
wilk, winkle or periwinkle. 
British distribution.—On all stony, rocky, and weedy 
beaches ; very common. 
Foreign localities—Western Europe, from Norway to 
Spain and Portugal (Andrew). The Mediterranean and 
Adriatic localities, given by Dr. Grube and _ others, 
are perhaps doubtful. Morch records it from Greenland, 
Whiteaves from Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Stimpson from 
Maine. 
+ Spelling ‘‘litus” or ‘‘littus,” and its derivatives, seems to be optional; 
but when the genus is written ‘‘ Littorina,” the same spelling must neces- 
sarily be applied to the specific name ‘‘ littorea.” 
