CATALOGUE OF THE SHELLS OF FLORIDA CALKINS, 233 



seems that a comparatively small number are common to both the 

 Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florifla. Some species abundant at St. 

 Augustine do not occur at all on the other side, but when the vicinity of 

 Galveston is reached are again seen. 



On the other hand we look in vain for the sub-tropical species, found 

 even so far north as Cedar Keys on the Gulf. I found at the latter point 

 for the first time, Banella clathrata. Gray, heretofore known only from 

 the Pacific coast. I also secured the South American shell. Auricula 

 Xtellucens, Menke. This shows a wide range, and suggests the powerful 

 agency of the Gulf stream in the migration of species from the south, 

 and their colonization where its influences are felt. Beyond these influ- 

 ences many species do not extend. The same agency also presents an 

 insuperable barrier to northern forms. Hence, Dr. Stimpson argued the 

 former connection of the colder waters of the xltlantic with the northern 

 part of the Gulf of Mexico by means, perhaps, of straits or lagoons 

 across the northern part of Florida, and accounts in this way for the 

 occurrence of South Carolina shells on the Texas coast. These facts are 

 interesting and worthy of more study. I do not propose to give a full 

 synonomy of the species mentioned. When so common a shell as Lucina 

 dentata rejoices in more than a dozen names bestowed upon it at different 

 times by enthusiastic or ambitious naturalists, it is about time to cut 

 down the list, and save labor as well as expense. In classification I have 

 followed Woodward mainly. The largest part of the species enumerated 

 are in my cabinet. A number are in the Museum of the Chicago Acad- 

 emy and in that of the Davenport Academy of Sciences. Other species 

 will be deposited from time to time. 



Class, CEPHALOPODA. 

 Order, AKGONAUTID^. 



Family, ARGOKAUTiDiE. 

 Genus, ARGONAUTA, L. 



1. A. ARGO, L. Very frequently cast by storms upon the Florida 

 coHst. My collection. 



Order, OCTOPODA. 



Family, Octopodid^. 



Genus, OCTOPUS, Cuvier. 



2. O. RUGOSUS, Bosc. Synonyms, Sepia granulatus. Lam. 1799 ; Octo- 

 pus Barkeri, Fer. 1826 ; Octopus Americanus, Blain 1826. From the Gulf 

 stream, and occasionally cast on shore. My collection. 



3. O. VULGARIS, L. Common around the coral reefs. The natives 

 sometimes eat this species. My collection. 



Order, DECAPODA. 



Family, ONYcnoTEUxniD^. 



Genus, ONYCHOTEUTHIS, Licht. 



4. O. Bartlingii. Lesueur 1821. [Loligo.) Syn. O. Lesueurii,FeY. 

 Found in the Gulf stream. My collection. 



