CHAPTER XV: THE CROSS-BARRED SHELLS 



Family CANCELLARiiDyt 

 Genus CANCELLARIA, Lam. 



Shell spiral, cross-ribbed upon the whorls; aperture oblong, 

 angulated or drawn out, bearing canal in front; columella with 

 folds; outer lip ribbed; operculum wanting; foot broad in front; 

 head bears tentacles with eyes at base; radula wanting; snout 

 small. Vegetable feeders on tropical and temperate coasts. A 

 single genus of seventy-seven living species. 



The West Indian C. reticulata, Linn., is deeply cut by close 

 cross ridges so that the surface is covered with coarse granula- 

 tions. Occasionally the radiating ridges are wide apart and wavy. 

 The colour is whitish with markings of brown bands or variegated 

 patches. The columella has two sharp, strong plaits. The shell 

 is heavy and ventricose. Length, il to 2^ inches. 



Habitat. — Cape Hatteras to Florida. 



C. Cooperi, Gabb, has an elongated spire, with the body 

 whorl somewhat constricted above the long, oval aperture. To 

 the very tip the spire is turreted and tuberculated, for the whorls 

 have a distinct shoulder, and the longitudinal ridges form a sharp 

 knob at every crossing. The whorls are elegantly marked with 

 narrow, dark brown lines. The interior shows a series of ridges, 

 and three basal, oblique plaits cross the columella. Length, 

 2 inches. 



This handsome shell comes from deep water off the Cali- 

 fornia coast. Fishermen drawing their nets have in many places 

 learned that it is to their financial advantage to save all the strange 

 shells they take with their fish. The conchologists have thus 

 obtained some of their best treasures. Many unknowns have 

 been brought to light by this means within recent years. When 

 we consider how new our west coast is compared with the Atlantic 

 seaboard, it is not surprising that more new forms are reported 

 from that quarter. Most of the new specimens are sent by their 



103 



