176 SPECIFIC 



out. These processes vary in different specimens 

 both in number and in length. The aperture is 

 distinctly of the same shape as that of a Turbo, and 

 hence the opinion may have arisen that the whole 

 is parasitically formed by a coral insect which takes 

 a certain species of Turbo for its nucleus. In 

 opposition to this it may be stated, that there is no 

 outward appearance of spire beyond the first whorl ; 

 that the aperture bears every mark of the recent 

 passage of an inhabitant, being smooth, and free 

 from all obstruction. That there is indeed no 

 foreign shell is plain, from the circumstance of the 

 substance being of the same nature in every part, 

 and the inside of the outer lip showing the foun- 

 dation of the spots through a thin slimy covering. 

 What then is it to be denominated ? This will 

 hardly be answered quite satisfactorily till the 

 inhabitant be known, and till it be observed whether 

 he have any organs with which to build this coral- 

 like edifice. That it is however entirely the work 

 of a molluscous worm, upon the whole appears 

 most consonant with reason. If this be the case, 

 it must, in the Linnaean system, be a Turbo, and 

 it is proposed to call it specifically madreporoides. 



