The Tritons and Frog Shells 



The Spotted Triton (7. maculosus, Gmel.) is typical of a 

 sub-genus in wiiich the aperture is small, the canal short, and the 

 spire long and gently curved. The surface is latticed with cross- 

 ing ridges of small size. The body whorl is swollen, with a wide 

 inner lip reflected over the smooth columella. The pale ground 

 is spotted with brown. The thick shell is three inches long. 



Habitat. — Mauritius, Red Sea, Philippines. 



T. truncatus Hds. and T. decoUatus Sby., in this sub- 

 genus are good illustrations of decollation. The spire is elongated 

 and destitute of varices. The apex is gone, as if cut off square 

 by some sharp tool. Each is a Philippine species under an inch 

 long. The shells in this group run into minute sizes. 



Sub-genus Priene contains large, thin, white shells, with can- 

 cellated surfaces and swollen body whorls. They are usually 

 lacking in varices. They are connecting links between the 

 Tritons and related genera. 



The Furred Triton (T. scaber, King) has close, thick, per- 

 sistently bristly epidermis, a low, broad spire, and wide mouth. 

 The shell is white and finely cross-ridged. The lip is toothed 

 within. Length, ij to 2^ inches. 



Habitat. — Arctic America to California. 



The Cancellated Triton (7. cancellatus. Lam.) is a hand- 

 some fusiform shell, finely or coarsely sculptured by the inter- 

 section of many transverse and revolving ridges. Rounded 

 nodules often mark these crossings, and these bear tufts of hair, 

 sometimes half an inch long. Length, 3 to 4^ inches- 



Habitat. — Japan. Alaska to Straits of Magellan. 



The Oregon Triton (7. Oregonensis) , described by Redfield 

 from a half-grown specimen, is considered by Tryon identical 

 with the preceding species. It is common on the Northwest 

 coasts, a handsome fusiform shell, with shaggy brown skin, deeply 

 latticed surface, and smooth, white lining. Length, 4 to 6 inches. 



THE WARPED SHELLS 

 Genus DISTORSIO, Bolt. 



This genus difi'ers from Triton in its distorted spire, and its 

 irregular, contracted, thin, flaring aperture. It has three species 



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