MOLLUSCA OR UNIVALVES. 245 



These shells are often called Needle-shells, 

 on account of their sharp, lengthened, and 

 spiral form ; and although by no means rare, 

 are often elegantly marked. Some of them 

 exceed ten inches in length. The notched 

 mouth distinguishes them' from the Turritella, 

 which they much resemble in shape. Very 

 few of the species are European, the greater 

 number inhabiting the warmer latitudes of the 

 East and West Indies and Africa. They oc- 

 casionally creep out of the water, still keeping, 

 however, within reach of the spray. 



Family 14. — Columellida* 



The shells composing this family have no 

 canal at the base of the aperture, but a notch, 

 more or less distinct, and plaits on the colu- 

 mella or left lip. The beauty of many indivi- 

 duals of this family makes it interesting. There 

 are five genera. 



112. Columbella. — Shell oy&I; spire short: 

 plaits small; right lip thickened, turned in- 

 wards, and swollen in the middle ; shell often 



* Lea Columellaires, Lamarck 

 R 3 



