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276 American Seashells
7 to lo mm. in length, very similar to punctostriatus, but larger, very
much thicker-shelled, glossy, opaque milk-white with light orange-brown
suffusions on the body whorl. Commonly dredged in a few fathoms of
water.
Fa77nly RINGICULIDAE
Genus Rmgiciila Deshayes 1838
Ringicula se77nstriata Orbigny Orbigny's Helmet-bubble
North Carolina to southeast Florida and the West Indies.
Plate 26V
2 to 3 mm. in length, thick-shelled, resembling a miniature Phalium or
Scotch Bonnet. 4 globose whorls, spire elevated. Aperture oblong; columella
thickened by 3 folds, i above, 2 below. Outer lip very thick, swollen in the
middle by a large tooth. Whorls, white, smooth, except for fine striations
on the base. Not uncommonly dredged from 34 to 107 fathoms.
R. nitida Verrill (Verrill's Helmet-bubble from Maine to the Gulf of
Aiexico. 100 to 500 fathoms) is exteriorly smooth, with a simple, thickened
outer lip, and with 2 smaller, spiral ridges on the columella.
Family HYDATINIDAE
Genus Micromelo Pilsbry 1894
Micromelo undata Bruguiere Miniature Melo
Lower Florida Keys and the AVest Indies.
Plate 26U
V2 inch in length, oval, rather thin and moderately fragile. Characterized
by its whitish to cream color overlaid by 3 widely spaced, fine spiral lines
of red and by many or few axial, wavy, lighter red flammules or lines. Uncommon.
Found at low tide.
Genus Hydatina Schumacher 18 17
Hydatina vesicaria Solander Brown-lined Paper-bubble
South half of Florida and the West Indies.
I to I ^
Plate i3q
inches in length, very thin, fragile, globose. Periostracum thin,
buff to greenish. Shell characterized by many close, wavy, brown spiral
lines. Animal large and colorful. Foot very broad. Moderately common in
certain shallow, warm-water areas where they burrow in silty sand. For-
merly called H. physis Linne which, however, is believed to be limited to
the Indo-Pacific.