GASTEKOPODA OP THE LOWER GEEEiCf MAELS. 77 



BUCCINIDiE. 



Genus ERIPACHYA Qabh. 



ErIPACHYA ? PALUDINAFOKMIS, n. sp. 

 Plate III, Figs. 16, 17. 



Shell, as recognized by casts only, biturbinate or ovate, almost equally 

 conical above and below the point of greatest diameter when looking on the 

 back of the shell, the diameter of the largest volution equaling about three- 

 fifths of the entire length; apical angle of the spire about 60°; volutions 

 round ventricose, with strongly marked sutures in the cast, about four or 

 perhaps five when perfect, the last one forming the great bulk of the shell as 

 seen in a front view; aperture large, elliptical in form, acute above and nar- 

 row below, fully equaling one-half the length of the shell ; columella moder- 

 ately strong, smooth, slightly bent; surface of the volutions marked by 

 slight vertical folds, visible on the cast in some specimens only, others 

 appearing perfectly smooth; but where showing they seem to have been 

 quite numerous, but confined to the upper part of the volution. It is prob- 

 able there have been spiral lines, but no evidence of them remain. 



I see no reason to doubt the generic identity of these casts with the 

 shells to which Mr. Grabb applied the above generic name, although the 

 spiral lines are not visible. The shells seem to have been quite thick, judg- 

 ing from small portions of the substance remaining on some of the 

 casts, and from the space represented between the volutions of the spire, in 

 which case the surface striations would scarcely have been preserved if 

 they had existed. The lack of evidence of this feature in the casts would 

 be no reason for doubting its existence on the shell. The casts are very 

 erect in form and much resemble forms of Natica or Paludina, except 

 that they show a short rostral beak in front with the prolonged aperture, 

 thereby separating them entirely from those genera, or from forms of Amaur- 

 opsis, for which they might otherwise be mistaken. The casts also some- 

 what resemble those referred to Pyrifusus, and it is possible they should be 

 classed as such, but the anterior end appears to have differed by being 

 produced to form a more distinct beak. 



