936 THE PALEONTOLOGY OF MINNESOTA. 



[Raphlstomidte 



publish good figures of the form that alone is entitled to bear the name. Under the 

 circumstances we are unable to decide whether it is a true Raphistoma. But we 

 will concede for the present that it is. The second species is a new one which he 

 calls E. schmidti and compares with the American R. striatum. This strikes us as 

 not a true Raphistoma, the striae upon the upper sides of the whorls curving back- 

 ward too strongly and being neither interrupted nor sigmoidally curved. The figure 

 (op. cit., pi. XI, fig. 7) represents the shell as preserved on the inner volutions only, 

 but a small peripheral rim or "collar" is rather distinctly indicated so that the 

 species may be an undeveloped and closely coiled Eccyliopterus or an unusual type 

 of Helicotoma. The remaining species constituting the supposed phylum (Euomphalus 

 marginale Eichwald, Raphistoma spirillum Koken, Pleurotomaria replicata Lindstrom, 

 and Eccyliopterus alatus Roemer, sp.) are doubtless all good species of Eccyliopterus 

 and not Raphistoma at all. 



In constructing the line Koken seems to assume that the other characters are 

 equal, and then to depend upon the gradual sinking of the spire and on the increas- 

 ing freedom of the whorls. Neither of these conditions, however, appears to us of 

 material consequence in the case, both pertaining strictly to the Eccyliopterus end of 

 the line and neither occurring ever in any true Raphistoma. Further, we doubt very 

 much that Raphistoma and Eccyliopterus represent different stages of one and the 

 same line of development, nor have we met with any evidence that might cause us 

 to believe that the distinction between the two is ever likely to become arbitrary 

 or artificial ("eine kunstliche"). Finally, according to our opinion, the validity of 

 Eccyliopterus will be determined not so much by its relations to Raphistoma as by its 

 connection with Ophileta and Helicotoma and possibly Eccyliomphalus* 



We find that Eccyliopterus is very closely related to the latter genera, only one 

 so far constant peculiarity separating it in either case. The feature alluded to is 

 the prominent thin plate into which the notch-keel is produced and which 

 surmounts the top of the whorls like a high "collar." On seeing a shell like the 

 Calciferous Eccyliomphalus volutatus Whitfield, which, from a careful study of a 

 series of specimens recently sent us by Prof. H. M. Seely, we have determined to be 

 a true Eccyliopterus, the first impression would naturally be that the genus is a very 

 near relation to Eccyliomphalux. And so it may be, yet, if for a moment we leave 

 out of sight the fact that its whorls are widely disconnected, and consider only the 

 other characters, it will soon become obvious that the balance of agreements lies on 

 the side of Ophileta rather than Eccyliomphalus. The whorls of E. volutatus are 

 flattened on the lower side, although casts of the interior are rounded here, the shell 



When we say Krrnlitniiliiiliu we are to be underwood as referring to shells of the type K. in/wliix ami nnuulciuitiol 

 Hillings anil /.'. iin<lnl.if Hull, which with other species form :i cliMlnct ami natural group that It Is presumed will include 

 also Portlock's original I ypi-s erf Hie genus. At iiny rate, they are so nearly like them that, without more curtain knowledge 

 respect i i._ I'ort'ock's spci !*. It Is tint -af>' to separate them. 



