110 



POPULAR CONGHOLOGY. 



Stylina. Flem. (Stylifer Brod.) — Shell very thin; glo- 

 bular generally, apex pointed, and often bent ; aper- 

 ture rather ovate, pointed above, rounded below; the 

 outer lip sharp and sinuated. Animal, with slender 

 cylindrical tentacula, the eyes small and immersed 

 at their external bases ; mantle (according to Bro- astericola - 

 derip) thick, fleshy, reflected on the last whorls of the 

 shell; foot ample, long, linguiform, produced and provided 

 with a conspicuous mentum in front ; tongue unarmed ; 

 a single branchial plume.* — 6 species. 



Small delicate shells found in the W. Indies, &c, 

 living in star-fish and corals. " Mr. Cimiing found this 

 elegant parasite burrowed in different parts of the rays of 

 the oval disc of Asterius Solaris. It is almost hidden from 

 sight, so deeply does the animal penetrate into the sub- 

 stance of the star-fish, in which it makes a comfortable cvst 

 for itself, wherein it most probably turns by the aid of its 

 rudimentary foot; all the specimens infested with Stylini 

 appeared to be in the best health, though there is reason 

 to believe that they feed upon the juices of the star- 

 fish. With that instinct of self-preservation imparted to 

 all parasites whose existence depends on that of their 

 nidus, the Stylina, like the Ichneumon amongst insects, 

 appears to avoid the vital parts ; for in no instance did 

 Mr. Cuming find it embedded anywhere, save in the rays, 

 though some had penetrated at their base, and very near 

 the pelvis. When extracted, the older shells have much 

 the appearance of a milky clouded glass bubble: the 

 younger shells are of an unclouded transparency." t 



One species, S. Turtoni, has also been found on the 

 British coasts by the indefatigable researches of several 

 naturalists. 



* Forbes's British Moll. 



t Sowcrby's Genera of Shells 



