384 Notes on Shells.. 



receive them. If they appear unjust and unreasonable, we 

 shall reject them. We have the less hesitation in this course, 

 because our friends abroad often disagree with each other : 

 and then, according to ancient rules, we are " free." 



DoLIUM DENTATUM, 



described in page 135. Plate IX. fig. 3. of this volume, has 

 been noticed both in France and England The Baron Fer- 

 rusac says, " the description and figure prove that Mr. Barnes 

 has mistaken the genus Douum for thr Casmdakia." This re- 

 mark shows that to him the specimen was neiv. Mr. Gray, in 

 the Zoological Journal, page 511, says, " the Dolium den- 

 tatum is the Dolium ringens of Swainson." Mr. Swain- 

 son's work is not among us. I presume Mr. Gray is right. 

 Mr. Swainson then considers it a Dolium, and after careful 

 examination, has so described it. Ferrusac, without having 

 seen it, affirms it a Cassidaria. In this passing remark there- 

 is a strangeness, not to say carelessness, which is unaccount- 

 able. There never was a better characterized Dolium than 

 this. It has all the characters of that genus. The outer lip 

 is expanded precisely in the manner of Dolium fasciatum of 

 Lamarck. The spire channeled in the same manner as Do- 

 lium galea, Dolium fasciatum, and Dolium per dix. The base 

 is emarginate, quite as much so as any Dolium which we have 

 seen. The slight extension of the inner lip is precisely what 

 is seen in nearly every species of the genus. The perdix, 

 fasciatum, maculatum, and galea, have the same. The ribs 

 are exactly similar, and the intermediate elevated line. It 

 more resembles Dolium galea than any other ; and if a large 

 specimen of each was placed with the back towards the ob- 

 server, they would not readily be distinguished. Since the 

 former description was published, a specimen has been re- 

 ceived which adds full confirmation. The axis is nine inches, 

 and the diameter seven inches ; and it so exactly agrees in its 



