194 INVERTEBRATA OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Found in woods and groves under leaves and the bark of decay- 

 ing stumps. On visiting Oak Island, Chelsea, after a warm rain 

 in October, I found the surface of the ground covered with 

 these shells in incalculable numbers. Hundreds might be taken 

 up clinging to a single fallen leaf ; as the moisture evaporated they 

 all disappeared beneath the leaves. Mr. Say found this shell in 

 the North West Territory. 



The above description applies to the shell in its most perfect living 

 state. After death it soon becomes opaque and whitish, and the lip 

 loses its reddish color. In some aspects the peculiar termination of the 

 pillar, gives the aperture the look of an Achati'na ; and this is evi- 

 dently one of the connecting links between the two genera. Indeed, 

 this shell, with a few others, has been set apart by Jeffreys in a new 

 genus, which he calls Cione'lla, characterized by being sub-effuse at 

 base, with the columella partially interrupted. 



Genus SUCCINEA, Drap. 



Shell ovate, rather lengthened, very thin ; last ivhorl very large ; aperture 

 very large, ovate, rounded before, angular behind ; lip simple ; amphibious. 



Succi'nea ova'lis. 



Shell sub-oval, pelhicid, straw-colored ; tvhorls three^ oblique; 

 aperture large., ovate. 



Figure 125. 



State Coll., No. 76. Soc. Cab., No. 1653. 



Succinea ovcilis, Say ; Nicholsons Encyc, {Amer. ed.,) Cunchology. Ferussac ; 

 Prodromus, 26, No. 8. Hifit. Nat. des Mali, pi. 11 A. f. 1. Deshayes ; 

 Encyc. M6th., Vers, ii. 20, No. 2. Lam. ; An. suns Vert.,\m. 319. 



"Shell sub-oval, pale-yellowish, diaphanous, very thin and fra- 

 gile, with nearly three oblique volutions ; body very large. Spire 

 small, but little prominent, somewhat obtuse ; aperture longitudi- 

 nally sub-ovate, large. Columella much narrowed, so as almost 

 to permit the view of the interior apex from the base of the shell. 

 Scarcely any calcareous deposit on the pillar lip." (Say.) 

 Length ^^ inch, breadth -/o inch, length of aperture --^ inch, di- 

 vergence 56°. 



