The Dove Shells 



The Rusty Columbella (C rustica, Linn.), variable in 

 form and colouring, is an ancient species, which in its broad forms 

 resembles C. mercatoria. It is distinguishable by its smooth sur- 

 face and by the purplish depressions between teeth within the 

 lip. The markings are usually bright zigzag blotches or streaks 

 of brown on a white or orange ground. Length, J to i inch. 



Habitat. — Mediterranean, West Indies and West Africa. 



The Lunar-marked Columbella (C. lunata, Say) has cres- 

 cents of chestnut crossing the paler ground colour of its whorls. 

 The shell is fusiform, nearly smooth, with small aperture and lip 

 faintly toothed. This minute mollusk is found abundantly. 

 The animal is pale, the foot as long as the shell, the eyes black. 

 In spring they are seen crawling on the sand in the shallows; 

 their natural station is clinging to stones and seaweeds a few feet 

 below the surface. Length, i inch. 



Habitat. — Cape Cod to Florida. 



A number of species of small dove shells belong to the fauna 

 of our west coast. 



The Keeled Columbella (C. carinata, Hds.) is sometimes 

 keeled, as its name implies, but sometimes not. The large 

 northern shells, var. gausapata, are smooth, their tawny surfaces 

 banded with brown and flecked with white. The outer lip is 

 toothed within, and fairly thick. The typical C. carinata is 

 not so long, with an abruptly angled shoulder on the body 

 whorl. Var. Californiana is smaller and smooth, marked and 

 coloured like var. gausapata. Length, J to | inch. 



Habitat. — Sitka to Lower California. 



The Golden Columbella (C aurantiaca, Dall) is orange 

 yellow, translucent, gracefully fusiform, with five rounded whorls. 

 The teeth on the lip are scarcely visible. Sometimes the whorls 

 are marked with zigzags of chestnut. Length, i inch. 



Habitat. — Monterey, Cal. 



C. tuberosa, Carp., a little larger, with angled body whorls, 

 varies from white to chocolate brown, from plain colour to spots, 

 bands and zigzags of contrasting hues, as in var. variegata. 



Habitat. — Santa Barbara and San Diego, Cal. 



The Rosy Columbella (C. rosacea, Old.) is striated, acutely 

 cone-shaped, rosy white, but lacking teeth on the thin lip. 

 This minute shell, J inch long, occurs from New England to 

 Spitzbergen and Norway. It is obtained from the stomachs of fish. 



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