140 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
The internal structure of nearly all the genera of lamelli- 
branehs has been described but the expanded animals of our 
New England forms have rarely been figured and when drawn, 
are on too small a scale to be of any value. 
As to the proper names — generic and specific — to be given to 
the shell the deplorable condition of the nomenclature is so 
appalling that one gives up in despair to fathom the puzzle. 
Only the older student can appreciate the changes that have 
been wrought by the rules governing the question. When I 
began to study the subject, sixty-four years ago, the following 
well-known species were : 
In 1855 In 1876 these were In 1915 they were 
Buccinum obsoletum Ilyanassa obsoleta Alectrion obsoleta 
" trivittatum Trivia trivittata " trivittata 
" plicosum Eurosalpynx cinerea Eurosalpynx cinerea 
" rosaceiun. Astyris rosacea. Columbella rosacea. 
In 1876, B. obsoletum and B. trivittatum were recognized as 
belonging to different genera; in 1915, it is discovered that these 
two species belong to the same genus and B. rosaceum goes back 
to the genus Columbella of eighty years ago. Natica heros and 
Natica duplicata were known as such for nearly eighty years, 
then these species were separated into two distinct genera, 
Lunatia heros and Neverita duplicata; now they are brought 
together again under one generic name, Polinices, but behold, 
other names are interpolated between the generic and specific 
names! They stand thus in Johnson's catalogue: Polinices 
(Euspira) heros and Polinices (Neverita) duplicata. I may add 
that the radulae of all the Naticas, whether having horny 
or calcareous opercula, hardly vary specifically. The name 
Scalaria has been applied to a well-marked group of gastropods 
for more than a hundred years. A few years ago we were greeted 
with Scala in place of Scalaria. This was easy to remember, but 
now, behold! comes a new name, Epictonium and in parenthesis, 
interpolated between the generic and specific names, is Arcloscala 
for one species, Opalia for another, Acirsa for another, and so on. 
Could the force of absurdity go further? 
Is the attempt ever made to inquire into the competency of the 
maker of new genera; can it be shown that he is well versed in 
