TURBAN SHELLS. 31 



Firm and solid, well fitted to resist the buffer- 

 ings of the waves, it clings to the rocks which 

 are daily left bare. In the water, the little black 

 animal, with its short head and lively feelers, may 

 be seen crawling briskly along; while in the 

 air, it can wholly secrete itself within the strong 

 shell and close the door with its circular oper- 

 culum. The color is dark purple, almost black, 

 with white pearly layers within ; whorls, four, 

 often eroded at the apex ; body whorl, often 

 puckered near the suture ; umbilicus, nearly clos- 

 ed ; columclla, marked by two teeth near its base, 

 operculum, horny and rnultispiral 



Its neighbor, Chl<yros1oma brunneum, Phil., 

 Crown Turban, Fig. 6, PI. VI, is a finer species, 

 but is much less abundant. The best specimens 

 are got by hunting the kelp at low water, by 

 means of a boat or long rubber boots. It is of a 

 rich brown color, with a white mouth and very 

 oblique lines of growth, which give the shell a 

 fine striated appearance. 



Chlorostoma aureotinctum, Fbs., is more flat- 

 tened than the last species, with rough ribs on 

 the sides, and distinct grooves on the base of the 

 body whorl. Fig. 1, PI. VIII, well illustrates 

 its form and size. Its color is dark olive, often 

 worn and faded ; the umbilicus is conspicuous, 

 and touched with bright orange, which gives 

 ri*e to its pretty name. This species is gener- 

 ally found to the south of Monterey Bay. 



The next species, Omphalius fuscescens,~P\ri]., 

 shown in Fig. 6, PI. VIII, is also a southern va- 

 riety. The artist has given the basal view, 

 showing the large umbilicus, circular aperture, 



