212 SCALARIADiE. 



by the closeness of the preceding ridges. These small 

 areas are either smooth, or merely roughened by longi- 

 tudinal wrinkles, which latter are frequently present at the 

 base of the cross-bars likewise. There are nine or ten 

 whorls, which although somewhat flattened in surface, are 

 nevertheless profoundly and rather abruptly impressed at 

 the sutures, hence they are apt, at times, to assume a 

 slightly scalar appearance ; they are in close contact (the 

 superior ones are rather more loosely coiled), rather short, 

 the height being about half the breadth, and neither 

 quickly enlarging, nor peculiarly oblique. The body, or 

 final volution, occupies, when examined dorsally, about 

 one-third, when inspected ventrally, about three-sevenths, 

 of the total length : its base is rather short, imperforated, 

 and somewhat flattened. The aperture, which is of a 

 rounded oval figure, is equal to one-fourth of the total 

 length, and about four-sevenths of the basal diameter. 

 The external edge of the pillar-lip, which is convex, very 

 broad, and remarkably appressed, forms a tolerably dis- 

 tinct angle with that of the outer lip. Specimens are said 

 to attain to two inches and a half in length, a size far 

 beyond than of any individuals that have attracted our 

 notice. 



Although hitherto merely fragments of this shell have 

 been discovered in our waters, the very peculiar character 

 of the sculpture at once indicated the species of which they 

 formed a portion. 



Mr. M'Andrew has added this species to the British 

 Fauna, having dredged the fragments above alluded to in 

 thirty-eight fathoms water off Duncanby Head, on the 

 north coast of Scotland. They have all the appearance of 

 being recent. It is a boreal and arctic form, and is well 

 known as a pleistocene fossil. 



