33 



DoLiUM, Lamarck. 

 Gen. Char. A thin, subglobose, univalved 

 shell, transversely banded; spire short; 

 aperture longitudinal with a notched base, 

 and crenated or waved sharp lip. 



J. HE shells tliat compose this genus have, from their 

 i^eneral resemblance to eacli other, been long con- 

 sidered as a pecuhar tribe ; we are indebted to Lamarck 

 for their separation from Buccinum, to which Linngeus 

 referred them. They have usually a subglobose form, 

 although some are elongated and ventricose ; the 

 columella is generally curved, and has a small, some- 

 times open umbilicus ; the base is very slightly pro- 

 duced and truncated, so as to form a sinus, but not a 

 beak to the large aperture; they have a thin horny 

 epidermis, that when perfect conceals a marbled or 

 spotted surface, whose colors are but few, and not 

 brilliant. The transverse bands are answered by fur- 

 rows within the shell, aud hence the lip is crenated or 

 undulated through its whole length. 



The species are marine and not numerous, only one 

 and that an uncertain one, has been found in a fossil 

 state. 



