222 BULLETIN OF THE 



mial* name for this species, if it really belongs to it. The doubtful citations 

 of different authors would indicate, however, that Meuschen's name is not dis- 

 tinctive, and that he, like others before and since, confounded the two species 

 of Distortrix with each other. 



The specimens of Distortrix which I have seen from the West Indies, etc., 

 when young, are clearly divisible into two series. The first form or variety, 

 clathrata, is wider in the last whorl, more distorted, more pointed at the spire, 

 with fewer transverse riblets, a decidedly longer and more oblique canal, and 

 generally some brown or orange on the callus, which is more developed at the 

 varical periods. 



The second form, which may be named variety reticulata, is evenly can- 

 cellated, more regular in its shape, with a larger mouth, a smaller and always 

 white callus, a shorter and straighter canal, and a more densely hispid epider- 

 mis. I have seen no adults that I could positively refer to this variety. 

 Mbrch separates two forms, but without explanation, and his synonymy does 

 not bear him out. Still, it is possible that the forms he had in view were 

 those I have discriminated. 



The variety reticulata was dredged by the Blake at Station 157, in 120 fms., 

 off Montserrat; Station 164, in 150 fms., hard bottom, near Guadelupe ; Sta- 

 tion 177, in 118 fms., sand, off Dominica; Station 262, in 92 fms., sand, off 

 Grenada; and Station 282, in 154 fms., sand, near Barbados; bottom tempera- 

 tures ranging from 56° to 65° F. 



The variety clathrata seems to be more common, and was found at Station 

 164, above mentioned; at Station 247, in 170 fms., ooze, off Grenada; at Sta- 

 tions 273 and 300, near Barbados, in from 82 to 103 fms.; and by the U. S. 

 Fish Commission at many stations off Hatteras, in 22 to 124 fms., in the Gulf 

 of Mexico about Key West, and elsewhere, in water varying from 52° to 80° F. 

 It has also been found and sent to the Museum from Tortola. 



The nucleus is low and trochiform compared with that of many related 

 forms. It is smooth and of rather horny consistency, and comprises about 

 three turns. It might readily be taken for a little Vitrinella or Adeorbis, if 

 detached. , 



Genus GYRINEUM Link. 



Rana Humphrey, Cat. Calonn., p. 33, 1797, not of Linne. (No description or figure. ) 



No type mentioned. 

 Bursa Bolten, Mus. Bolt., p. 128, 1798. (No description or figure.) Ed. ii. p. 91, 



1819. No type mentioned. 

 Gyrineurti Link, Besclir. Rostock Samml., p. 123, 1807. First species, Murex rana 



Linne (spinosa Reeve). 



* Since this was written I have seen a copy of the Museum Gerversianura at 

 the British Museum, and to my astonishment find that it lias no claims to be con- 

 sidered binomial, though it has often been cited for specific names. 



