CONCHOLOGY. 



Genus— SCALARIA. Species— SCALARIA DIS- 

 JUNCTA. 



Generic Character. — Shell spiral, univalve, the different 

 stages of the spire rounded and separated from each 

 other, leaving a cavity within, the spire surrounded 

 on all sides with ribs intersectionally, placed like 

 the steps of a ladder ; the mouth round, with a 

 flattened border. The general colour of the shell 

 pale grey, spotted irregularly with white spots, 

 the form altogether pointed and pyramidical. 



THE extraordinary Shell which is at present a distin- 

 guished ornament of Mr. Bullock's Museum, is remark- 

 able for the fine structure and shape of its folds and the 

 curious arrangements of the parts nearest to the mouth, 

 which seem as if quite divided from each other. The 

 Shell is pointed, spiral, and of the form of a pyramid, en- 

 vironed or surrounded with transverse bands of a beautiful 

 transparent texture ; indeed the whole Shell is so thin and 

 delicate in its formation that it is almost a miracle to find 

 one quite perfect and unbroken in all its parts. 



It is commonly named the Wentletrap, but from what 

 derivation that word was taken, is not exactly known ; the 

 learned Author of the Enlargement of Linnams's Systema 

 Conchyliorum, Monsieur Lamark, has given it the ge- 

 neric name of Scalaria, from its resemblance to a rope- 

 ladder, and we have out of respect to his great talents and 

 learning, adopted his name. Linnaeus had formerly placed 

 it with the common Turbo, and indeed at first sight it 

 might pass for that kind of Shell, until its characteristic 

 distinctions of the ribs or divisions, are more particularly 

 pointed out. 



