The Conchologist's First Book / A System of Testaceous Malacology, Arranged Expressly for the Use of Schools, in Which the Animals, According to Cuvier, Are Given With the Shells, a Great Number of New Species Added, and the Whole Brought Up, as Accurately as Possible, to the Present Condition of the Science.

by Edgar Allan Poe; Thomas Brown

1. Genus Spirorbis. Pl. [V].

Animal. Gills or respiratory organs separated or covered by an operculum.

Shell. A testaceous tube turned spirally on a horizontal plane, the lower portion of which is attached to marine substances, generally fuci: opening of the tube terminal, rounded or angular. Found on Algæ on the British coast. Six species.

• Spirorbis nautiloidis.
• S. spirilla.
• S. tricostalis.
• S. bicarinata.
• S. carinata.
• S. lamellosa.

2. Genus Serpula. Pl. [V].

Animal. Body tubular, elongated, depressed, and attenuated behind; segments numerous and narrow; small bundles of awl-shaped bristles in a single row on each side.

Shell. A solid calcareous tube, brown, purple, yellow, tawny, pink, white, or tinged with green. The shells are irregularly twisted, in clusters, and affixed to other substances. Inhabits the coast of Britain. Twenty-six species.

• Serpula vermicularis.
• S. fascicularis.
• S. intestina.
• S. contortuplicata.
• S. plicaria.
• S. glomerata.
• S. decussata.
• S. protensa.
• S. infundibula.
• S. annulata.
• S. cereola.
• S. filograna.
• S. vermicella.
• S. filaria.
• S. pellucida.
• S. intorta.
• S. cristata.
• S. spirulæa.
• S. quadrangularis.
• S. minima.
• S. echinata.
• S. sulcata.
• S. costalis.
• S. dentifera.
• S. sipho.
• S. arenaria.

3. Genus Vermilia. Pl. [V].

Animal. Body tubicular, elongated and attenuated towards the posterior part, and provided superiorly with a simple testaceous orbicular operculum.