CHAP. III. 



THE BUCCININ^E. 



lip the last indication of Ricinula. The connection, 

 again, of these singular shells to Concholepas seems to be 

 effected by our Ricinula planospira^, which has the 

 spire nearly obsolete. This, as we believe, is the true 

 course of the circle, the contents of which find their re- 

 presentatives in the sub-families. It really seems ad- 

 visable that the sub-genera of Ricinula, Nassa, Triton, 

 and such varied groups, should be characterised when 

 the science is somewhat more advanced. 



(64.) There is one set of analogies, however, result- 

 ing from this disposition of the Purpurince, which we 

 cannot omit, because it illustrates that sub-family by 

 which they are represented in the circle of the Turbi- 

 nellidcB, namely, the Pyrulince. This will also save 

 much useless repetition when we come to speak of the 

 latter group. 



Analogies of the PURPUBIN^I and the PYBULIN^E. 



Ricinula. 



Pillar, or inner lip, toothed. 



Cuma. 



Considering that these sub-families belong to two supe- 

 rior divisions, of which each is the most aberrant type, 

 the coincidence of each agreeing in their details, is not 

 a little remarkable. 



(65.) The BUCCININ^, or whelks, form the fifth and 

 last division of this family : they are known from the 

 murexes by having no varices, and from the PurpurincB 

 by the pillar not being flattened : they are generally re- 

 cognised by the abrupt termination of the base, which 

 is deeply notched. They are nearly all smooth shells, 



