388 Scientific Proceedings of the 
constant character except in the adult shell; the white band upon the 
inner side of the labrum is usually well defined. Inhabits not only our es- 
tuaries but our ocean shores, though it seems to prefer places not exposed 
to the surf. The finest specimens grow at Nantucket, where they are 
abundant. In winter he had observed them to collect together in heaps, 
filling up slight depressions in the flats, 
Purpura tapittus, Lam. He had not seen this common species at 
New Bedford, Wood’s Hole, or Nantucket; but had found Fusus cinereus 
in situations where he expected to find that species. 
Ranewua caupata, Say. Well described by Mr. Say; the canal is 
not longer than the spire, but equal or shorter. It is rare, and not found 
north of Cape Cod. 
Fusus cinereus, Say. The fauces are not unfrequently white ; some- 
times there are bands of purplish red in the fauces; the transverse coste 
are often nearly obsolete. Generally found clinging to the wet sides of 
rocks near low water mark. 
Mr. Avams also read descriptions of the following shells recently 
discovered by him in the waters of Massachusetts. 
AMINIA SEMINODA. J. testa parvula, acuto-conicd, nitida, albida, 
sub-translucida; anfractibus septem convexis, decusatim granulosis; 
anfractu postremo infra striato; apertura elliptica, basi effusa; colu- 
mella reflexa, uniplicataéa. Length .15, breadth .07 inch. Inhabits 
Dartmouth harbor. 
Only four specimens were found, about five feet below low water 
mark, on valves of Pecten concentricus. In size and figure it resem- 
bles Actgon trifidus, Totten, but differs in its convex whorl, granu- 
lous surface, and more distinct and uniform revolving lines; also in 
its less rounded and more effuse aperture. 
Pyramis Fusca. P. test& parvuld, conicd, decisa ; epidermide 
fusca, nitida; anfractibus sex, convexis; sutura impressa, sub-dupli- 
cata; apertura ovali, supra angulata, infra rotundata; labro tenuis 
columell4 convexa, reflexa, haud duplicaté. Length .15 inch, breadth 
O07 inch. Inhabits harbors of New Bedford and vicinity. 
Cerituium Emersonu. C. test& parva, conica, elongata, longi- 
tudinaliter rugosa, lineis granulatis cineta; anfractibus septemdecim, 
planulatis ; apice acuta; sutura sub-impressd, ampla; apertura sub- 
quadrata; labro pectinato ; columella in spiram ducta; cauda recur- 
vata. Length .45 inch, breadth..12 inch. Inhabits New Bedford 
harbor on the Fairhaven side, avd Nantucket (?). A variety has the 
granules obsolete, or coalescing into simple elevated, revolving lines 
CERITHIUM NiIGRocINCTUM. C. testA parvul4, conico-cylindricas 
granulosa, nigro-rubra; anfractibus tredecim, sinistrorsum volventt- 
bus; spira elongata, acut&; sutura sub-duplicata ; apertura sub-ellip- 
