100 ORTHALICIN^E. 



The form of the cusps of the central and inner lateral teeth varies 

 within several of the genera, which are based almost wholly upon 

 characters of the shell. In Oxystyla, Liguus and Orthalicus there are 

 species with the median teeth lance-shaped and others with them 

 blunt. It is not possible to divide the series in any rational manner, 

 using this character as a basis. 



The fundamental color-pattern consists of five spiral bands (gener- 

 ally reduced to three) and numerous longitudinal stripes. The modi- 

 fications of pattern are further discussed under the several genera. 



In the subdivision of the Orthalicince into genera, there has been 

 wide divergence of opinion ; but few who have occasion to study ex- 

 tensive series will dissent from the view that the fundamental division 

 of the group cannot be based upon the lanceolate or obtuse form of 

 the median teeth, nor upon the truncate or continuous condition of 

 the columella, nor upon the simplicity or thickening of the outer lip. 

 These characters all intergrade imperceptibly, sometimes even within 

 the limits of one single species. A far more stable feature is found 

 in the sculpture of the nepionic shell; and I would divide the sub- 

 family primarily into (1) forms with the ante-natal shell pitted like 

 a thimble, and (2) those ?n which it is smooth or slightly wrinkled 

 longitudinally. The senior name for the first series of species is 

 Orthalicus of Beck, 1837. That for the second series is Liguus of 

 Montfort, 1810. 



These two groups are easily of generic rank ; but when further 

 subdivision into genera is attempted, it is obvious that we are dealing 

 with groups of less systematic value than the genera of BulimuUnce 

 recognized in this work. The usage of most conchologists in recent 

 years, however, has been to recognize two or three genera within the 

 group with smooth early whorls; and keeping in mind the fact that 

 their differences are not of much significance, it may be best to adopt 

 some further division. I \Vould, therefore, arrange the genera and 

 subgenera thus: 

 I. Early whorls pitted, ORTHALICUS, with the subgenus Metor- 



thalicus. 

 II. Early whorls smooth or nearly so, 



LIGUUS, with subgenera Corona and Hemibulimus. 



OXYSTYLA. 

 PORPHYROBAPHE. 



Or, to show more clearly the true rank and relationship of tie 

 groups : 



