FOSSIL CERITHIUM.
TURBINELLA.
"The naturalist Bruguieres established the fine genus Cerithium, mixed by Linnæus among those of Murex, Strombus, and Trochus. These shells are always turreted, having a short canal at the base; the aperture oblong, oblique, with a gutter turned backwards. (See Frontispiece.) Many are girded with zones, that are granulated, or beset with little tubercles. It is remarkable that Cerithium giganteum, a species more than a foot in length, is found fossil in France, and as a living species in the seas of New Holland. C. telescopium is a fine shell from the East Indies. C. vertagus is smooth, tawny-white, with a recurved canal. It comes from the Moluccas. Many species occur fossil in London clay and in plastic clay: the Woolwich pits afford specimens, and also of Turritella.
"Pleurotoma, formerly united with Murex, is distinguished by the singular notch in the right-margin of the shell. One species, the Tower of Babel, is well-known, and another is common under the name of Murex javanus. The fossil species are numerous.
"Turbinella is taken from Murex and Voluta: some species are thick, heavy shells, from the Indian seas.
"Cancellaria is an elegant genus: the shells are varicose, reticulated, or cancellated; the columella has folds upon it, varying in number, the right-margin sulcated within. There are several fossil species, which are considered very beautiful.
"Fasciolaria trapezium, the Persian robe, is a fine shell from the Indian seas, very common in collections.
FUSUS.
PYRULA.
RANELLA.
"The genus Fusus consists of spindle-shaped shells, of which Fusus colus, the distaff, will give an idea. They are covered with an epidermis which conceals, in some species, the fine colours beneath.
"Fusus despectus (Murex of Linnæus) is the largest of the British turbinated shells, and very common: it is the large whelk.
"Fusus contrarius, the reverse whelk, is found fossil in the Essex crag.