8 
The whelk, like other abundant and widely-distributed species, wanders con* 
siderably from its typical form. Varieties are numerous; the principal ones will 
be found in the drawers on the table. A study of the abnormal forms of living 
species is very instructive to the Geologist, and prepares his mind for the occur- 
rence of similar 'phenomena in his Palceontological investigations. Doubtless 
many of the fossils now considered by palceontologists to be distinct species are 
nothing more than aberrant forms or varieties of other species. Time and 
further research will, however, correct this. 
One form of whelk, namely, acuminatum, is called a variety of Buccinum 
undatum by Messrs, Forbes and Hanley ; and my friend, Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffery s, 
in his fourth volume of " British Conchology," calls it a "monstrosity " of that 
species. I take the word monstrosity to mean an irregularity or deformity, not a 
divergence from the typical form by insensible gradations as in the case of 
varieties. This irregularity is generally, if not always, caused by an injury to the 
animal in its earlier stages, and its commencement can nearly always be detected, 
one part of the shell being normal and the other aberrant. I am inclined to 
regard the "acuminatum" as a distinct species, my reasons for thinking so 
being, first, — that its form is regular " a b ovo " and persistent. Secondly, — It 
lives in company with the typical form at Whitstable, Harwich, and other places, 
thus proving that differences of habitat and food are not the causes of dissimilarity. 
Thirdly, — That in the above districts no intermediate form or gradual merging of 
one form into the other has been discovered, though millions of Buccinum 
undatum and several of acuminatum are yearly taken, this proves it not to be a 
variety. Mr. Jeffreys, in the introduction to his valuable and, by me, highly- 
prized work, says at page 19, — " I believe it may now be considered a well- 
establisbed rule that all distinct groups of individuals living together, and having 
a common feeding ground, and which are not connected or blended with each 
other by insensible gradations, are prima facie entitled to the rank of species." 
With this rule I perfectly agree, and, in my humble opinion, it proves the acumi- 
natum to be specific. Some whelks have two opercula, others are sinistral : 
specimens of both are on the table. 
The whelk is a much more valuable animal than it has credit for ; thousands of 
fishermen are supported by capturing it ; great numbers of persons in the metro- 
polis obtain a livelihood, as before noticed, by selling it as an article of food. 
The carriage of it from the shipping ports brings the Railway Companies no small 
amount of revenue. Wherever it abounds cod are numerous, and if it became 
extinct, which fortunately is very improbable, cod, haddock, and other fishes 
would desert our coasts, and our fishermen would have to relinquish their calling. 
Thus much then for the whelk. My paper, though long, has, T candidly con- 
fess, treated the subject very superficially, and many points which might fairly 
have been noticed, as relevant to the subject, I have been obliged to omit. Still I 
hope my contribution to the Society will prove neither uninteresting nor useless. 
The author amply illustrated his paper by specimens and diagrams. 
The Chairman, while inviting discussion, observed that Mr. Jordan's 
paper was certainly not uninteresting, and would not be useless if it in- 
