444 Systematic Paleontology 



Whitfield's species was described from two casts which present differ- 

 ences in the degree of convexity of the whorl and in the strength and 

 persistence of the axial ribs which are probably specific. It is impossible 

 to determine with assurance whether or not the shell figured by Weller 

 from the Ripley of Mississippi is specifically identical with the New 

 Jersey cast which served, as Whitfield's type. 



Occurrence. — Monmouth Formation. Brightseat, Brooks estate near 

 Seat Pleasant, Prince George's County. 



Collections. — Maryland Geological Survey, New Jersey Geological 

 Survey. 



Outside Distribution. — Matawan Formation. Marshalltown clay marl, 

 New Jersey. Monmouth Formation. Navesink marl, New Jersey. 



Family FULGURIDAE 



Genus PYROPSIS Conrad 

 [Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 2d ser., vol. iv, 1860, p. 288] 



Type. — Tudicla (Pyropsis) perlata Conrad. 



" Spire very short, apex not papilated, labrum without strise within, 

 thick ; columella without a fold." — Conrad, 1861. 



Conrad later raised the group originally assigned to subgeneric rank 

 under Tudicla to the rank of a genus, because, as he said, it differed from 

 Tudicla " in having a subtruncated apex, not papillated, and a smooth 

 inner surface of the labrum, no fold on the columella, and the mouth more 

 expanded and angulated." — Conrad, 1869. 1 



The body whorl of Pyropsis is conspicuously inflated, frequently angu- 

 lated at the periphery and very abruptly contracted at the base into a 

 very slender and usually straight anterior canal, which is broken away in 

 all but the most perfectly preserved specimens. The external sculpture is 

 dominantly spiral, although the axials are frequently strong enough to 

 render their intersections with the spiral lirse nodular or even subspinose, 

 especially at the angle of the periphery. The aperture conforms to the 

 outline of the body and exclusive of the canal is subcircular or broadly 

 ovate in outline. The opening of the canal is very narrow, and its mar- 

 Etymology: Pyrum, a pear; h^/is, form. 

 1 Am. Jour. Conch., vol. iv, p. 248. 



