PACE: ON THE COLUMBELLID ®. 39 
While the hasty subdivision of already described species is to be 
strongly deprecated, there is something to be said in extenuation of 
the practice of bestowing names upon specimens which more extended 
research may prove to belong to known forms. For, though the 
synonymy may be increased by these names, no ambiguity can exist 
if the new names are accompanied by a proper and sufficient description. 
In fact, if the compiler of a faunal list describes as new each species 
of whose identity he is in any way uncertain, no misconception should 
arise as to the identity of the forms recorded; while, on the other 
hand, if he erroneously associates them with existing names, confusion 
will be inevitable. 
As to the use and abuse of varictal names: when the specimens 
of any type from a particular locality present certain distinctive 
characters, then the bestowal of a name! by which this geographical 
variety or subspecies may be recognized is justifiable, as beimg of 
distinct service to the student of taxonomy and distribution ; while 
variations which are merely correlated with differences of station are, 
generally speaking, preferably defined by a descriptive phrase, since 
such variations are probably not genetic ones, but are due to the 
direct influence of the environment. On the other hand, absolutely 
no useful end is served by the naming of such merely individual 
variations as may be met with in one and the same gathering. 
Unfortunately, most of the varietal names in use among malacologists 
come under this last category and must in consequence be dismissed 
as quite useless synonyms. In but comparatively few cases can it be 
shown that a described variety has a restricted geographical range 
such as would justify its acceptance; though many of them are 
probably variations due to differences of station.* 
Specific Characters in the Columbellide: The Differentiation of 
‘ Species. —The most obvious feature which is demonstrated by the 
examination of a large series of almost any so-called species of 
Columbella is the enormous range of individual variation, a variability 
for which one is quite unprepared, which the series presents. When 
further it is seen how exceedingly slight are the differences between 
certain of the recognizable types, or ‘ species,’ it becomes necessary to 
consider what characters may be regarded as of taxonomic importance. 
Size and shape seem to count for but little: im a large gathering 
of a single species taken at one and the same station, one may meet 
with full-grown examples only one-third the size of others. Some, 
again, may be long and narrow, others so short and stumpy as to be 
almost globose. The lip may be simple, thickened, or denticulate. 
Again, in certain forms every variety of sculpture may occur, from 
one consisting only of longitudinal ribs to another in which transverse 
strie are alone present; while other individuals may be absolutely 
1 In my opinion this name should be expressive of the habitat. 
2 The marine Mollusca generally are subject to much greater variation in relation 
to their environment than would be imagined by those whose experience is only 
that of the museum. 
