CHAPTER XII: THE MARGIN SHELLS 

 Family Marginellid/E 



Shell pear-shaped, porcelanous, smooth or with ribs, 

 polished; spire short or immersed; body whorl large; aperture 

 nearly the whole length of the shell; outer lip with a narrow, 

 thickened margin, toothed or smooth within; columella distinctly 

 plaited; operculum usually wanting; foot large, square in front, 

 tapering behind; mantle reflected over shell; tentacles close, 

 bearing eyes; radula like that of the volutes. 



A family of small shells related to the Cowries, Olives, Mitres 

 and Volutes. The principal genus has over two hundred species. 



Genus MARGINELLA, Lam. 



Characters of the family. Tropical or sub-tropical species 

 in both hemispheres. 



The Bubble Margin Shell (M. bullata, Born.), a giant 

 among pygmies, is pale, smooth, ovate oblong, the rounded rim 

 of the outer lip shaded to orange. The spire is immersed, leaving 

 a shallow pit; the columella has four clean-cut foldsi Length, 

 2j to 3i inches. 



Habitat. — Bahia, Brazil. 



The Spotted Marginella (M.guttata,Di\\w.),isi\esh-co\oured, 

 obscurely banded with brown, and flecked all over with opaque 

 white spots. The rim is thick and bears a few spots of reddish 

 brown. This small, broad shouldered species occurs abundantly. 

 Length, § to i inch. 



Habitat. — West Indies to Beaufort, N. C. 



The Ruddy Rim Shell (M. carnea, Storer) is orange red 

 outside, and white on lip and columella, with a median white 

 band. Length f inch. 



Habitat— Tampa. Bay to West Indies. 



M. apicina, Menke., about i inch long, white, or tinged 

 with orange, blue, pink, or purple; faintly banded with a darker 



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