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Family Marginellidae

SHELL pear-shaped, porcelanous, smooth or with ribs, polished; spire short or immersed; body whorl large; aperture nearly the whole length of the shell; outer lip with a narrow, thickened margin, toothed or smooth within; columella distinctly plaited; operculum usually wanting; foot large, square in front, tapering behind; mantle reflected over shell; tentacles close, bearing eyes; radula like that of the volutes.

A family of small shells related to the Cowries, Olives, Mitres and Volutes. The principal genus has over two hundred species.

Genus MARGINELLA, Lam.

Characters of the family. Tropical or sub-tropical species in both hemispheres.

The Bubble Margin Shell (M. bullata, Born.), a giant among pygmies, is pale, smooth, ovate oblong, the rounded rim of the outer lip shaded to orange. The spire is immersed, leaving a shallow pit; the columella has four clean-cut folds. Length, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches.

Habitat.--Bahia, Brazil.

The Spotted Marginella (M.guttata, Dillw.), is flesh-coloured, obscurely banded with brown, and flecked all over with opaque white spots. The rim is thick and bears a few spots of reddish brown. This small, broad shouldered species occurs abundantly. Length, 2/3 to 1 inch.

Habitat.--West Indies to Beaufort, N. C.

The Ruddy Rim Shell (M. carnea, Storer) is orange red outside, and white on lip and columella, with a median white band. Length 3/4 inch.

Habitat.--Tampa Bay to West Indies.

M. apicina, Menke., about 1/2 inch long, white, or tinged with orange, blue, pink, or purple; faintly banded with a darker shade, occurs from Cape Hatteras to the West Indies. There are usually a few chestnut spots on the lip margin.

Variety borealis, Verr., 1/2 inch long, occurs from Rhode Island to Cape Fear.

The Pear-shaped Marginella (M. pyriformis, Cpr.) is a minute white shell, 1/12 of an inch in length, sometimes tinged with orange.

Habitat.--Monterey to San Diego, Cal.

Genus ERATO, Risso

Shell obovate, polished; spire short, conical, distinct; aperture narrow, long; outer lip toothed, thickened in the middle; columella plaited. Shell and animal look like a Cypraea.

E. columbella, Menke., is a little rosy "coffee-bean" shell resembling Trivia. Length, about 1/3 inch.

Habitat.--Santa Barbara, Cal.

E. Maugeriae, Gray, represents the genus from Cape Hatteras southward to the Florida Keys and westward to Texas.