TROPHON. 441 



The animal is entirely white. The tentacula are much 

 longer and slenderer than in its congeners, and their eye- 

 bearing bases not so thick. The foot is rather narrower, 

 and more produced caudally. 



Montagu, and other observers, notice the frequency with 

 which this shell is invested with a crust of red sponge. We 

 have often taken it with this coat upon it. 



Though by no means a common shell, this species is 

 found through the greater part of the British seas, occurring 

 chiefly on our western coasts, and from the Channel Isles 

 (Barlee) to Zetland. On the east coast it appears to be 

 rare. It has a great vertical range, from fifteen to fifty 

 fathoms off the English, and from fifteen to seventy on 

 the Scottish shores (M' Andrew and E. F.). It extends 

 round the Irish shores (Thompson). 



It has a wide range in the North Atlantic, and has been 

 taken on the western coasts of Spain by Mr. M'Andrevv. 

 It ranges throughout the Mediterranean, usually inhabiting 

 very deep water. As a fossil its history dates from the 

 epoch of the coralline crag. 



apex, crossed by distant strong spiral striae, giving the shell a cancellated appear- 

 ance ; body abruptly acuminate beneath ; aperture subovate, terminating in a 

 very long narrow and pointed canal, equal in length to the body, the opening in 

 front being very straight ; outer lip somewhat thickened and entire, and conti- 

 nuous along the columella, on which it is narrowly reflected ; colour cream white. 

 Length one inch five-eighths ; breadth an inch. We found this shell at Killougb, 

 county of Down, Ireland." 



VOL. III. 



3l 



