ZOOLOGY. 
371 
CHRYSODOMUS SITCHENSIS. 
Chrysodomus sitchensis, Cakp, Report to Brit. Assoc. 1856, p. 343. 
Tritonium ( Fusus) sitchense, Midd. Malacol. Koss. II, p. 149, No. 14 ; pi. 2, flgs. 5 — 8. 
Hab. — Straits of Juan de Fuca, Dr. Suckley, G. Gibbs, esq ; Sitka, Midd. after Eschscholtz. 
Specimens of both mature and young shells were brought from the Straits of Fuca, where it 
appears to be rare. They agree, in all respects, with Middendorff 's plate and description. 
Family BUCCINIDJ^- 
NASSA MENDICA. 
Nassa mendica, Gould, U. S. Expl. Exped. Mollusc & Shells, p. 263, and Atlas, fig. 331. 
i/ai.— Puget Sound, Dr. G. Suckley. 
This as well as the following species appear to be rare. 
NASSA GIBBSII, n. s. 
Description. — Form short and moderately ventricose; whorls, six; the body whorl nearly equalling the spine in length, all 
cancellated, longitudinally ridged. Ridges, about 13 on each whorl, the intermediate furrows deep and equal in width to the 
ridges. Mouth subovate, canal spirally twisted. 
Colors. — Inside of mouth dark purplish ; epidermis smooth ; olivaceous brown. Indistinct bands visible inside, which, under 
the epidermis, are found to be black or brown, varying in width and number, one usually distinct around the middle of whorl. 
Long. 0.40, lat. 0.25. 
Five specimens of this Nassa more resemble N. trivittata than N. mendica, having the band- 
ing and shorter form of the former, their breadth being equal, but length proportionately much 
less than the latter, and, though smaller, their ridges are more strongly marked. Found dead 
along the shore at Port Townsend, Puget Sound. One only has a fresh appearance. 
PURPURA LACTUCA. 
Mvrcx lactuca, Eschscholtz, Zool. Atlas, II, p. 9 ; pi. ix, fig. 3, 1829. — Midd. Beitrage, II, p. 120. 
Murex fcrrugineus, accidental variety. Idem, id. pi. ix, p. 3. 
Purpura septcntrionalis, Eekve, Con. Icon. pi. x,p.50. — Jay, in App. to Perry's Exp. to Japan, vol. II, pi. 5, figs. 16. 17. — 
Carpenter, Rep. to Brit. Assoc. p. 340. 
Muricidea lactuca, CATtFEHTER, Report, p. 345. 
Hub. — Sitka, Eschscholtz; Puget Sound, Dr. Suckley & Mr. Gibbs ; Shoalwater bay and Straits of Fuca, Dr. Cooper. 
This is a remarkable and abundant sj^ecies, Avhich, with Reeve, we prefer to place in the 
genus Purpura. Like others of that genus, it is subject to many variations, of which analogous 
examples may be observed in P. laj^ilhfs more especially. The figures given by Eschscholtz, 
Jay, and Reeve, represent three of these varieties, the first being at one, and the third at the 
other extreme of the series. After a careful comparison of more than two hundred individuals, 
from various localities in Washington Territory, we find the gradation from one to the other 
so regular that we are forced to refer them all to one species, first established by Eschscholtz. 
" This shell abounds in the middle parts of Shoalwater bay on rocks and oyster-beds, and 
also in the deeper parts of Puget Sound. It appears to feed on oysters and other animal 
substances. I have found one adhering to an oyster, which was perforated by a small, round 
hole near the apex, and through which the 'periwinkle/ as they are popularly called, appeared 
to be devouring the animal. They can live several days out of water in damp places. 
"The amount of rugosity seems to depend entirely upon the station the sjDecimens are found 
