FAMILY 6. TURBINACEA. 153 
The Eulime, which were first distinguished by Risso, are closely allied 
to the Rissoe ; indeed it has been often a matter of hesitation with us 
whether we should continue to separate them or not; as in that division, 
the normal species of the group was referred by Linneus to his genus 
Turbo, and the greater part of them have been also confounded by sub- 
sequent naturalists with the Melane. The Eulime are so well cha- 
racterized by their shells being highly polished, as well as by the spire 
being peculiarly contorted towards the apex, that they can scarcely fail 
to be recognized; and the first of these characters may be regarded 
as one of no little importance, because it indicates that these mollusks 
must have their mantle unusually expanded over the outer surface of the 
shell. 
These distinctive characters, however, do not so forcibly apply to 
the shells of certain species lately admitted into this genus by Sow- 
erby ; they differ, moreover, both in being umbilicated and in having 
the aperture somewhat angulated at the base. Deshayes separates them 
under the new generic title of Bonellia, but he is yet unacquainted with 
their anatomy ; it therefore remains to be determined whether the pecu- 
liarities which have been noted in the shells of these Eulimz are the 
consequence of any change in the organization of their animal inha- 
bitants ; and upon this must the propriety of his genus depend. 
The shell of Eulima may be described as being small, turriculated, 
acuminated, polished, and composed of numerous whorls, somewhat 
twisted towards the apex ; in some cases they are rolled so as to exhibit 
a deep umbilicus ; in others the columella is solid, and there is no umbi- 
licus ; the aperture is ovate, acutely angulated above, and either angu- 
lated or rounded below ; the lip is somewhat thickened, and often leaves 
a number of obsolete varices upon the whorl as it enlarges in growth. 
The operculum is thin, horny, and has an anterior nucleus. 
This is, we believe, the genus Parthenia of Lowe. 
VOL. II. x 
