BALEA. 175 



some specimens than in others, which peculiarity- 

 denotes the growth of dentate shells, sufficiently re- 

 futes the idea of its being the young of V. pusilla. 



Mr. Alder observes that the difference between 

 this species and V. pusilla appears to be more in the 

 number of the teeth than in the colour of the shell ; 

 and if the former is permanent, it is undoubtedly 

 the better character of the two. He further re- 

 marks, " I have some doubt about this species : I 

 examined Mr. Jeffreys' specimen, but could not 

 satisfy myself of its distinctness from V. pusilla : I 

 take it upon faith." 



After considerable inquiries and correspondence, 

 I have not been able to procure a specimen of this 

 species, to examine or figure ; and thence I cannot 

 offer any opinion on the subject of its distinctness. 



Captain Brown has added to the list Pupa lab lata 

 Brown, B. S. t. 41. f. 7.; but the figures are so in- 

 distinct that I cannot determine them. 



12. Balea. (Moss Shell.) 



The animal is like Bulimus; but the shell is reversed, 

 thin, with an elongated taper spire, the last volu- 

 tion larger than the next; aperture roundish- 

 oval, entire at the base, oblique, with a single 

 tooth on the pillar, which is wanting in the 

 young shells, and the pillar is destitute of any 

 valve-like plait or clausium ; jaw lunate, narrow, 

 scarcely crenulated. 



This shell is often mistaken for a young unformed 

 specimen of Clausilia; but it may be known from 



