TURBAN SHELLS. 
31 
Firm and solid, well fitted to resist the buffer- 
mgs of the waves, it clings to the rocks which 
are daily left bare. In the water, the little black 
animal, with its short head and lively feelers, may 
be seen crawling briskly along ; while in the 
air, it can wholly secrete itself within the strong 
shell and close the door with its circular oper- 
culum. The color is dark purple, almost black, 
with white pearly layers within ; whorls, four, 
often eroded at the apex ; body whorl, often 
puckered near the suture ; umbilicus, nearly clos- 
ed ; columella, marked by two teeth near its base, 
operculum, horny and multispiral 
Its neighbor, Chlorostoma brunneum ,, Phil., 
Brown Turban, Fig. 6, PI. VI, is a finer species, 
but is much less abundant. The best specimens 
are got by hunting the kelp at low water, by 
means of a boat or long rubber boots. It is of a 
rich brown color, with a white mouth and very 
oblique lines of growth, which give the shell a 
fine striated appearance. 
Chlorostoma aureotinctum , Fbs., is more flat- 
tened than the last species, with rough ribs on 
the sides, and distinct grooves on the base of the 
body whorl. Fig. 1, PI. VIII, well illustrates 
its form and size. Its color is dark olive, often 
worn and faded ; the umbilicus is conspicuous, 
and touched with bright orange, which gives 
rice to its pretty name. This species is gener- 
ally found to the south of Monterey Bay. 
The next species, Omphalmis fusoesoens\ Phil., 
shown in Fig. 6, PI. VIII, is also a southern va- 
riety. The artist has given the basal view, 
showing the large umbilicus, circular aperture. 
