176 
SPECIFIC 
out. These processes vary in different specimens 
both in number and in length. The aperture is 
distinctly of the same shape as that of a Turbo, and 
hence the opinion may have arisen that the whole 
is parasitically formed by a coral insect which takes 
a certain species of Turbo for its nucleus. In 
opposition to this it may be stated, that there is no 
outward appearance of spire beyond the first whorl ; 
that the aperture bears every mark of the recent 
passage of an inhabitant, being smooth, and free 
from all obstruction. That there is indeed no 
foreign shell is plain, from the circumstance of the 
substance being of the same nature in every part, 
and the inside of the outer lip showing the foun- 
dation of the spots through a thin slimy covering. 
What then is it to be denominated ? This will 
hardly be answered quite satisfactorily till the 
inhabitant be known, and till it be observed whether 
he have any organs with which to build this coral- 
like edifice. That it is however entirely the work 
of a molluscous worm, upon the whole appears 
most consonant with reason. If this be the case, 
it must, in the Linnsean system, be a Turbo, and 
it is proposed to call it specifically madi'eporoides. 
