246 INVERTEBRATA OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



This is the smallest species hitherto described, but it bears every 

 mark of maturity. It has a general resemblance to the T. tonidfilis 

 of Europe, but the spire is shorter and less acutely pointed. The 

 punctured revolving lines, which cover the anterior half of the lower 

 whorl, are constant and decisive marks of distinction, in addition to its 

 minute size. 



Family SCALJIRM^^A, Lam. 



Shell tvithout plaits on the pillar ; margins of the aperture circularly 

 united. 



Genus VERMETUS, Adanson. 



Shell tubular, spiral at the apex, irregularly and loosely twisted 

 towards the aperture ; operculum horny. 



Verme'tus lumbrica'lis. 



Shell conic-tubular ; usually many tubes are intertioined into a 

 group ; unequal strice run the whole length of the tube. 



State Coll., No. 56. Soc. Cab., No. 922. 



Serpula lumbricalis, Lin.; Sijst. JVat., lt2CG. Lister; Conch., t. 548, f. 1. 



Martini; Conch., i. 48, t. 2, f. 12 B. Dillvvyn ; Calal.,u, 1078. Knorr; 



Vergn., ii. t. 13, f. 1. 

 Vermicularia lumbricalis, Lam. ; Sijst. dcs An. sans Vert., 97. 

 Verinetus lumbricalis, Lam.; Jin. sans Verl. Sovverby; Conch. Man., f. 345. 



Shell consisting of a long, rough, ash-colored, conical tube, 

 marked with numerous, unequal, raised lines along its whole 

 length. At the pointed end is a spire of eight or ten closely 

 connected whorls, upon each of which are two sharp, elevated 

 ridges. This portion usually lies in a horizontal direction, and is 

 attached by one side to some foreign body. The coil then be- 

 comes ascending and lax until it can barely be called tortuous. 

 The aperture is circular, with a sharp, simple edge, and is closed 

 by a horny operculum, having a central nucleus, and concentric 

 elements. 



The length of the closely spiral portion is from half an inch to 

 an inch ; it is then continued indefinitely. Some of my specimens 

 must be eight or ten inches in length. Diameter of aperture 



