Jg GENUS BUCCINUM. 



points, more or less elongated, form, on the contrary, trans- 

 verse lines. 



18. BUCCINUM L^EVISSIMUM, GMEL. The Smooth Buccinum. 



$***&* s&Mj, 



(Collect. MASS. LAM.) LIST., t. 978, fig. 35. 

 PI. VII, fig. 20. &My c/< 



B. testa ovato-oblonga, laevissirna, nitida, luteo-fulva et cserulescente ; an- 

 fractibus convexiusculis, conatis; spira breviuscula,obtusiuscula ; apertura 

 loevi; labro arcuato, inferne repando. 



Shell ovate, oblong, ventricose, smooth, whitish ; some 

 slightly apparent, transverse-brown bands ; epidermis reddish 

 brown ; convex longitudinal folds formed by the growth of 

 the shell ; spire short, obtuse, sutures slightly apparent ; 

 aperture smooth, oblong and wide, narrowed at the upper 

 part, somewhat more dilated at its base, where it is terminated 

 by an oblique, wide emargination. The lip is thin, rounded, 

 colored internally of a fawn color. Externally, near the base, 

 is observed a prominent fold, which is continued winding 

 round as far as the inferior third of the columella; this is 

 arcuated, and slightly oblique. 



Length 2 inches 3 lines. Width 1 inch 3 lines. 

 Inhabits the Indian Ocean, and the Cape of Good Hope. 



According to the able observations of Quoy and Gaimard, the 

 animal of this species is blind ; and what renders it particularly 

 remarkable, is a very large foot, extending from all parts of the 

 shell. The operculum is exceedingly small. This mollusk 

 possesses the power of absorbing by its foot, by means of pores 

 with which this part is provided, a large quantity of water, which 

 it throws off again, when it is disturbed, in several directions. 

 It lives in deep water, and when it is brought towards the shore, 

 its foot still farther enables it to bury itself in the sand. It is 

 very voracious : it is generally taken, by placing a piece of flesh, 

 as bait, in a net. 



