180 EXPEDITION TO POINT BARROW, ALASKA. 



numerous points in this part of the Arctic basin. The augulated form is less common, and every 

 grade exists between them. The fine sculpture, and especially the sharp transverse strife, always 

 distinguish it from other species, especially the angulated varieties of glaciitle. 



Bnccimuu plectrum Siinijison. Plate III, figs, y, 10. 



I .caches near the station. Museum number, -10968. The variety collected by the expedition 

 is a rat her dwarfed form, with intensified sculpture. The metropolis of the species is further south, 

 and 1 have seen tine specimens from the Shumagius. This is an excellent species and easily dis- 

 tinguished when in good order. It has been mistaken for a variety of B. initiation, which is not 

 found in any shape on the Pacific side. A few fraudulent specimens were sent out as from this 

 region by a recently deceased conchologist, but they bore all the marks of having come from London 

 dealers. It is possible that the whalers, who carry and inix shells from all parts of the world, may 

 have been the unintentional means of having distributed a few specimens with erroneous locality 

 labels. 



Buccinum polare Gray. Plate III, tigs. 5, 6. 



Beaches near station; also dredged in 13.1 fathoms off Point Franklin. Museum numbers, 

 40969-70. 



This species, which is also well characterized, varies from inflated, large, with fine, sharp 

 carinae to small, elongated, with obsolete carin.-e, and is sometimes rather puzzling; but a good 

 series makes the relations clear. It is frequently of a bright, clear orange color, and is generally 

 quite thin. I have seen two specimens of a singularly thick and short variety percrassum from the 

 Arctic north of Bering Strait. It must be exceedingly rare; the upper whorls are smaller, less 

 inflated and less turreted than in the normal form. The operculum is also proportionally larger 



and more oval. It may prove distinct from polare. 







Chrysodomua Kroyeii Muller. 



C. Kroyeri. var. Itayana Call, 1. c., p. 525. 



One small one in the state called cretaceum by Reeve, at Cape Smythe, on the beach ; a very 

 large living specimen of the normal form, in 5 fathoms, from the same locality, some with few ribs 

 from 2.J fathoms at the same place. Museum numbers, 40971-2. This shell, when fresh and 

 perfect, is of a plum color or dull purple, with fine, spiral stria;, recalling B. tenue, and strong trans- 

 verse ribs. When dead and weathered, it turns nearly white this is Reeve's form : an extraor- 

 dinary variety Rayana has no ribs but is perfectly smooth, except for the fine sculpture which 

 enables its true relations to be determined. This last, named in honor of Lieut. P. II. Ray, United 

 States Army, who commanded the Point Barrow expedition, would be taken as distinct at first 

 sight. The specimens were all rather young, which made their recognition still more difficult. It 

 was also dredged at Cape Smythe. 



Chrysodomus liratus Mui-tyu. 



''. tornatus Gould. 



Oue specimen from the beach near the station. Museum number, 40973. The metropolis of 

 this species is much further south. 



Chrysodomus fornicatus (Gmel.) Gray. 



Rare on the beach near the station ; abundant near the Mackenzie River mouth, and at Nunivak 

 Island, with innumerable varieties. Museum number, 40974. 



Chrysodomus spitzbergensis Ki-i'\r. 

 ''. tiri'brulii Gould. 



One young living specimen, Norton Sound, in ~ fathoms. Museum number, 4097."). 



Chrysodomus maitensi Krniisi 1 . 



One specimen on beach near station. Museum number. 40976. Tliis species was obtained by 

 the writer in Bering Strait in JH80. in 30 fathoms; subsequently by Dr. A. Kranse in the same 

 region, in whose report it is about to be described. 



