218 



REPORT 1856. 



* This shell is introduced under the title " Tritonium (Buccinum, Subg. Pollia, Gray) 

 scahrum. King et Broderip," which reminds us of the pre-Linnsean times, and almost de- 

 stroys the good of binomial nomenclature. Dr. MiddendorfF may show his philosophical 

 knowledge by uniting Trophon, CUnjsodomus, Buccinum, Pisania and Nassa into one genus j 

 but be has scarcely a right to compel us to use six words (besides the authority for the 

 specific name) in citing his shell. Its presence in the N. Boreal fauna is extraordinary. It 

 is generally regarded as one of the characteristic species of temperate or even tropical South 

 America. It has occurred, however, in pseudo-Mazatlan collections, and was brought by Kellett 

 and Wood. It has the aspect of a deep-water shell, and may therefore have a wide range. 



