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BUCCINIDAE 225
a much higher spire, stronger axial ribs, and much stronger, more acute, spiral
cords. Moderately common from 25 to 265 fathoms.
Amphissa bicolor Dall Two-tinted Amphissa
Farralon Islands, to San Diego, California.
% to % inch in length, similar to versicolor, but thinner-shelled, usually
with fewer ribs, glossy-white in color, but covered with a pale-straw periostracum,
and without the small teeth inside the outer lip. Dredged commonly
from 40 to 330 fathoms.
Favnly BUCCINIDAE
Genus Buccinum Linne 1758
Buccinwn undatum Linne Common Northern Buccinum
Arctic Seas^to New Jersey. Europe.
2 to 4 inches in length, solid, chalky gray to yellowish with a moderately
thick, gray periostracum. Axial ribs 9 to 18 per whorl, low, extending ^
to V2 way down the whorl. Spiral cords small, usually about 5 to 8 between
sutures. Outer lip slightly or well sinuate and somewhat flaring. Aperture
and parietal wall enamel-white. Anterior canal short. 1V2 nuclear whorls
fairly large, smooth and translucent-white. Operculum oval, concentric,
chitinous, and light yellow-brown. A very variable shell which sometimes
lacks the axial ribs but may have numerous spiral threads. Common just off-
shore to several fathoms in cold water.
Buccinum tenue Gray Silky Buccinum
Arctic Seas to Washington State. Arctic Seas to the Gulf of Maine.
Plate 24U
1V2 to 1V2 inches in length; aperture 'V2 the length of the shell. Outer
lip slightly sinuate, thin and slightly flaring. Axial ribs small, numerous, inter-
twining and extending from suture to suture. Spiral sculpture of microscopic,
beaded threads giving a silky appearance. Color light-brown. Common off-
shore. Compare with plectrum Stimpson.
Buccinum plectrum Stimpson
Plectrum Buccinum
Figure 51a
Arctic Seas to Puget Sound. Arctic Seas to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
2 to 3 inches in length; aperture a little more than % the entire length
of the shell. Outer lip strongly sinuate, thickened and flaring. Axial ribs