Introduction 



Since the publication of Bulletin 24 of this series, additional 

 new Miocene species have been discovered and are described in 

 this number. With the exception of two species of Nassas, name- 

 ly N. shaklefordensis and N. alumensis, the new shells are from the 

 material collected by the two Ecphora trips of 19 14 and 19 15, 

 and belong to the private collection of Professor G. D. Harris. 

 The two Nassas referred to above, are in the Paleontological Mu- 

 seum of Cornell University. 



The second Ecphora trip had for its ultima Thule, the city of 

 Newbern N. C. on the Neuse river. From there as a base, excur- 

 sions were made by land by the members of the party to various 

 fossiliferous localities. The interesting, type locality of the upper 

 Miocene or the Duplin Formation, namely Natural Well, was 

 visited by Karl P. Schmidt and the writer. By careful collect- 

 ing a large amount of good material was obtained and several 

 novelties discovered. 



Several not able localities were visited by water and of these, 

 Rock Wharf, on the James river, north of Smithfield Va, deser- 

 ves mention. This is one of Conrad's original localities from 

 which he described several species in his earlier papers. The 

 beds belong to the Yorktown formation, and have an abundant 

 and well-preserved fauna. Close to 300 species of mollusca are 

 known from this locality. 



The last Ecphora trip, as well as the former, was conducted 

 under the personal supervision of Professor G. D. Harris, to whose 

 efforts, the success of the cruise was largely due. For the use 

 and study of the material collected, the writer is indebted to Pro- 

 fessor Harris. The willing aid and cooperation received from 

 the other members of the party is also highly appreciated. 



Paleontological Laboratory, 

 Cornell University, 

 April 24, /p/6 Axel Olsson 



