356 columbellidj:. 



quite regular and prominent, the interstices or excavations between 

 them being of equal width with the folds ; they are most 

 Fig. 625. pj-omincnt on the upper whorls, and vanish aljout the middle 

 of the lower whorl ; there are numerous inconspicuous re- 

 volving lines, most distinct at the base ; larger whorl rather 

 more than half the length of the shell, with a slight shoulder 

 at the suture ; aperture short and narrow, having a slight 

 notch at its posterior angle, and terminating abruptly in 

 front, without an elongated canal ; outer lip sharp ; pillar smooth, 

 moderately arched. Length, three fourths of an inch ; breadth, 

 one fifth of an inch ; divergence, forty degrees. 



Found not unfrequently in the stomachs of fishes, though rarely 

 in a fresh state. Banks ( Willis) ; Eastport ( Cooper) ; Cape Cod, 

 northward ( Stimpson) . 



On comparison with specimens sent from England, I coincide with 

 Mr. Sowerby in opinion, that this shell, first found in our waters by 

 Mr. Couthouy, and described by him as new, is the Murex rufiis of 

 Montagu. It is, however, generally much larger than those known 

 to Montagu, his specimens being less than half an inch in length. 



It is a well-marked species, though varying much in its depth of 

 color, and in the distinctions of the spiral lines. The spaces be- 

 tween the ribs are deep, as if grooved out. The canal is almost too 

 short for the genus Fusus, while the notch of the lip approximates 

 it to Pleurotoma. 



[Now considered distinct from Fusus rufus. 



Family COLUMBELLID^E. 



No canal at the base of the aperture, but a more or less distinct 

 notch ; pillar plaited. 



Genus COL,U]TIBEL,L.A, Lamarck. 1799. 

 Shell oval, spire short, pillar plaited ; outer lip thickened inter- 

 nally, narrowing the aperture. 



Columbella avara. 



Fig. 197. 



Shell small, elongated-ovate, pointed, of various shades of brown reticulated 

 with white, with numerous smooth ribs lengthwise, and revolving lines between 

 them. 



