GENUS DOLIUM. 



3. DOLIUM GALE A, LAM. The Fluted Tun. 



w.{M;JWt 

 (Collect. MASS. LAM.) LIST., Conch., t. 898, fig. 18. 



P1 .n, fig . 2 . 3 ,+ t 



D. test& maximft, ovato-globosa, ventricosissim&, umbilicata, tenui, 

 albido-fulva ; costis convexis, anterius alternis ruinoribus ; anfractibus prop& 

 suturas incurvato-excavatis, canaliculatis. 



Shell often very large, ovate-globose, pretty light, very 

 ventricose, ridged transversely with numerous convex ribs, al- 

 ternated by other smaller ribs, which only appear upon the 

 two upper thirds ; the furrows which separate them are very 

 distinct. Suture channeled ; spire slightly raised, formed of 

 six rounded convex whirls ; the lower one forms, of itself, 

 almost the whole of the shell. The aperture, very large, 

 of a clear fawn color within, exhibits smooth tran verse ribs, 

 the first seven or eight of which, are united two and two. 

 The right lip is white, terminated by a festooned dilatation, 

 and sometimes excavated by a shallow canal. The left lip, 

 when apparent, consists only of a scale-like leaf. The colu- 

 mella is twisted, and elongated spirally ; it is projecting, mark- 

 ed externally with five or six longitudinal ribs, and continued 

 to the emargination. The whole surface of the shell is of a 

 pale fawn-color, intermingled, upon some specimens, with 

 light brown or chestnut tints. Epidermis very thin and 

 brown. 



Length 6 inches. Width 4 inches. 



Inhabits the Mediterranean, about the coasts of France, 

 and of Corsica ; and the Adriatic. 



It is this species particularly, among the Tuns, which acquires 

 such magnitude, that specimens have been quoted of the size of 

 a man's head. It is found in calcareous, and sometimes on 

 slightly muddy bottoms. It is generally observed upon coasts, 

 like the preceding, at the approach of spring or of summer. 



