OCR Text |
Show 1884.] ' LIGHTNING' A N D 'PORCUPINE' EXPEDITIONS. 139 15. SCALARIA ACUS, Watson. (Plate X. fig. 8.) S. acus, Wats, in Journ. Linn. Soc. (Zoology), 1883, vol. xvi. p. 608 'Porcupine' Exp. 1870: Atl. St. 16, 17, 31-34. Distribution. Sicilv (Monterosato), west of Azores and Culebra I. ('Challenger' Exp.)'('Talisman ' Exp. 1883); 49-1254 fms. Fossil. Pliocene : Ficarazzi (Monterosato). Every specimen of this pretty little shell which I have seen is spirally or transversely striated, a character unnoticed in Mr. Watson's description. In one of the 'Challenger' specimens from the Azores, fine spiral striae are perceptible only in the interstices of the ribs ; but in the fragment from Culebra Island, as well as in the perfect specimen now figured and the fragments from the ' Porcupine ' Expedition, these striae are stronger and cross the ribs. All the specimens have a basal ridge and a similar apex. 16. SCALARIA TENERA1, Jeffreys. (Plate X. fig. 9.) S H E L L inclined to cylindrical, thin, semitransparent, and glossy : sculpture, numerous slight, curved or somewhat flexuous, and rounded but not prominent ribs, of which there are from 25-30 on the penultimate whorl, those on the last whorl being indistinct or wanting; the ribs are more sharp on the upper whorls ; all are crossed by a few delicate and also rounded spiral striae, which are more conspicuous at the base of each whorl: colour whitish : spire slender and gradually tapering : whorls 10-12, convex : suture deep : mouth more round than oval, obtuse-angled at the upper corner : outer lip thin, expanded at the base: inner lip reflected on the pillar aud forming with the outer lip a continuous peristome ; behind it is a small umbilical chink. L. 0*5 (circa). B. 0*15. 'Porcupine' Exp. 1870: Atl. St. 16. Four fragmentary or imperfect specimens only, hut sufficiently characteristic for description aud figuring. 17. SCALARTA COARTATA 2, Jeffreys. S. obtusicosiata, G. O. Sars, Moll. arct. Norv. p. 194, t. 22. f. 9, a, b. S. varicosa, id. I. c. p. 348, t. 34, f. 9, a-c. ' Porcupine' Exp. 1870 : Atl. St. 16. An imperfect specimen. Distribution. Vadsd and Moldo (G. O. Sars); 100-150 fms. Having lately, through the accustomed courtesy of the eminent Norwegian Professor, had an opportunity of re-examining his two specimens which he had described and figured as S. obtusicostata and S. varicosa on my authority, and having carefully compared them with each other as well as with Searles Wood's and Brocchi's types of the above-named species, I am now convinced that I was mistaken in suggesting the identification of the Norwegian with those fossil species and that both his specimens belong to one and the same species. He quite agrees with me in the latter determination as well as in adopting the name which I have ventured to i Delicate. 2 Contracted or narrowed. |