Description of a New Species of Pedicularia.

BY W. NEWCOMB, M. D.

Pedicularia Swainson.

Pedicularia Californica Newc.

P. testa depresa-globosa, coccinea, minute transverse striata, supra rotundata, infra late aperta; labio expanso, semi-circulare; columella crassa, dilatata, intus recta; apertura elongato sub-ovata; extremitatibus effusis:

Long.0.4pol.
Lat.0.3”
Alt.0.25”

Hab. California.

Shell depressly globose, crimson colored, minutely transversely striated, above rounded, below broadly open; lip expanded, semicircular; columella thick, dilated within, straight; aperture elongately sub-ovate; extremities broadly notched.

The Genus Pedicularia was established by Swainson for the reception of a single species (P. sicula) of that author. During the past year another species has been added by that eminent Naturalist, G. P. Deshayes, of Paris.

In a work published, on the shells of the Isle of Bourbon, he describes a beautiful violet-colored species under the name of P. elegantissima. The California species (of which only one specimen has been obtained) can scarcely be surpassed in brilliancy by its Indian Ocean congener, although bearing the exquisite name of elegantissima.

For the specimen of the species here described, I am indebted to the extreme liberality of D. N. Robinson, Esq., of San Francisco, who obtained it from a coral growing on a monster crustacean of the genus Echidnocerus, which was taken in very deep water at the Farallones Islands.