74 



WEST AMERICAN" MOLLUSCA.— IV. 



SHELLS OF LAGOON" HEAD. 



The following list is the result of two or three days spent in 

 the latter part of February, 1899. mostly spent in botanizing, No 

 rocky beach was visited, all the living shells being collected in the 

 lagoon, nearly due east of Cedrus Island, the landing being known 

 locally as Santo Domingo. It is near the 28th degree north hit. 

 on the west coast of Raja California, a few miles north of Scam- 

 mons lagoon. Soecies not found living are marked d. 



The letter e indicates species observed in the kitchen mid- 

 dens or shell heap* on the sand dunes near the lagoon, probably of 

 Indian origin — but possibly in part of more recent origin; species 

 marked ee were probably collected attached to other shells and 

 not sought for food; Pinna and Avicula were doubtless sought by 

 pearl fishers. 



In one of these heaps was found a stone cylinder, perforated, 

 undoubtedly of Indian origin, which was sent to the American 

 museum of natural history, with several thousand other specimens 

 on approval in exchange for books — which they now refuse to 

 send and likewise refuse to return the specimens — compelling us 

 to make a forced donation, a species of wholesale robbery, founded 

 originally we suspect on a misunderstanding, but so far the mu- 

 seum officers concerned have shown no trace of honor. 

 Purpura biserialis Blainv. 



Found living a few miles north of San Diego was seen only in 

 beach worn specimens; observed abundant at San Juan and other 

 points in the Gulf of California. 

 Chorus belch eri Hinds. d 

 Banella calif ornica Hinds. d abundant. 



Macron sethiops Reeve. Not rare. e 



Nassa tegnla Reeve. Abundant. 

 Myurella simplex Cpr. Not rare. 



Drillia ? d ee 



Conns californicus Hinds. d ee 

 Cypraea spadicea Gray. 



Several fine examples were collected by the pearl fishers who 

 were in the lagoon at the time of my visit. 

 Neverita reclusiana Reeve. 



Apparently as abundant as formerly in San Diego bay. e 



