1885.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 347 

 Actual synonymy : 



Turbivella Lam., Prodr., pp. 7.3, 91, 1799, sole ex. V. pyrum L. 



Turhinell lis CuvieTjAnat. Comp., 1800; Lamarck, 1801, &c. 



Turblnella Bosc, Hist, des Moll., vol. v, p. 35, 1802, 



Xancus Link, Besclir. Rost. Samml., iii, p. 116, 1807. 



Turbin ell arias Dum»5ril, Zool. Analyt., p. 16H, 1806. 



TurbineU a Schumsicher, Essai, p. 240, 1816. 



Mazza H. & A. Adams, Geu. Rec. Moll., 1, p. 156, 1853. 



Scolymiis Desliayes in Lam. ed. ii, ix, p. 3T5, 1843, not of Swainson. 



The sole example and type of Lamarck was the Voluta pyrum of Linn6. 

 A number of species has been added since, the distinctness of most of 

 which is somewhat doubtful. 



The second group, which is very closely allied to the typical Turbi- 

 nellas, and which can hardly rank above a subgenus, was named by 

 Link who adopted the earlier catalogue name given by Bolten and sup- 

 plied a definition. 



VASUM Link. 



Historical synonymy : 

 Fasim Bolten, Mns. Bolt., p. 56; 1798; Ed. 1819, p. 40. 



Actual synonymy : 



Ffl8!/m Link, Beschr. Rost. Samml., iii, p. 119, lb07. 



Cynodonia Schumacher, Essai, p. 73, 1816. 



Cynodona Schumacher, /. c, p. 241, 1816, Err. typogr. 



Scolymus Swainson, Malac, pp. 78, 304, 1840, Not Deshayes, 1843. 



Volutella Perry, Conch., plate xxvi, 1811. 



Clava Fabricius, Fortegn., p. 79, 1822; fide Herrmauusen Suppl., p. 31. 



Link's first species was Voluta ceramica of Liune, which with V. corni- 

 gera may be taken as types of the grouj). 



It might appear at first sight as if there was little in common between 

 the rugged nodose Vasum and the smooth rounded Turhinella, but when 

 the different species are all taken into account it is evident that the dis- 

 tinguishing characters are not such as are usually considered of high 

 systematic value. Even T. pyrum is often marked with rows of small 

 nodules on a series of two or three revolving ridges; the length of the 

 canal and the form of the shell vary within wide limits within the genus 

 and even with the typical species. The soft parts, dentition, and oper- 

 cula do not differ more than we might find between species of accepted 

 genera in other groups, and the characters of the subgenus Yasum are, 

 as compared with those Turbinella proi)er, of degree and not of kind. 



To summarize them briefly it may be said that Turhinella is character- 

 ized by a generally longer canal and smoother surface, more ovate oper- 

 culum and lighter colored shell and, perhaps, by uuicuspid lateral teeth; 

 Vasuin^ by a nodose or cancellate surface, shorter canal and more pyr- 

 amidal shell, narrower and heavier operculum and, perhaps, by bicuspid 

 laterals. 



The family should take the name of TiirhinelUdce, from its original 

 genus and most distinctive type, and this has been the general usage 

 of malacologists. 



