lG8 VERMETID^E. 



Subgenus YERMICULARIA, Lam., 1799. 



Shell free, in its early stage regularly coiled like a Turritella ; 

 subsequently uncoiled, the tube variously twisted or more or 

 less straight and prolonged. Operculum size of the aperture. 

 Carboniferous living. Tropical and subtropical. 



There is apparently no other distinction between the shells of 

 Vermicularia and Burtinella, except that the latter are coiled 

 in a broad, largely umbilicated cone ; Tubulostium has a con- 

 tracted aperture. Often called Vermieidus, Lister. 



Genus SILIQUARIA, Brug., 1789. 



Animal with rudimentary pedal tentacles ; mantle slit along 

 the branchial cavity. 



Shell tubular, at first spiral, afterwards protracted and irregu- 

 lar ; tube with a longitudinal fissure, which is sometimes simple, 

 sometimes formed by a series of perforations ; often both varieties 

 exist in the same specimen ; aperture circular, without internal 

 septa or lamella. Operculum corneous, subc3 r lindrical or 

 conoidal, formed of a spirally rolled band, with ciliated margin; 

 axis of the cone filled up internally by a series of spiral radiat- 

 ing cells (PI. 48, figs. 9, 10). Mediterranean Sea, W. Africa, 

 Tropical Pacific Ocean. 



Fossil, 20 sp. Tertiary, one species from the upper creta- 

 ceous. The typical species, as well as several others, occur 

 imbedded in sponges. 



Tenagodusj Gueltard, 1774, is the same, but the genus is much 

 better known under its later name. 



Fischer proposes the following divisions, based on distinctions 

 in the branchial slit. 



Section SILIQUARIA (sen*n 



Slit continuous, open. 

 Section PYXIPOMA, Morch, 1860. 



Slit closed by a lamella, but not filled up outside, open near 

 the mouth. 



Section AGATHIRSES, Moritfort, 1810. 



Slit composed of numerous isolated holes. 



