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American Seashells


SubgenusOnobaH. and A. Adams 1854

Cingula aculeus Gould
Pointed Cingula

Nova Scotia to Maryland.

Extremely small, 2.5 mm. in length, elongate, about 5 whorls, no umbilicus. Whorls rounded. Suture well-impressed. Aperture ovate with a slightly flaring hp. Color light- to rusty-brown. Spiral sculpture of numerous, microscopic incised lines. Below the suture there are numerous, short, axial riblets. Common in shallow water.


GenusAmphithalamusCarpenter 1865

Extremely small shells, less than 2 mm. in length, smooth, except for a faint cord or spiral thread on the periphery. Nucleus large, of 1+12 whorls which are finely pitted like a thimble. The most striking character is a thin bridge separating the inner lip from the open umbilicus. There are 3 species in southern California:

Periphery without spiral line
lacunatus Carpenter (San Pedro south).
Periphery with thread or cord:
Periphery angulate
inclusus Carpenter (San Pedro south).
Periphery rounded
tenuis Bartsch (Monterey south).


GenusRissoinaOrbigny 1840

Shells small, usually less than 18 inch in length, Generally white in color, with strong or weak axial ribs, occasionally with fine spiral, incised lines. Aperture semilunar and somewhat flaring. Operculum corneous, thick, paucispiral, with a claviform process on the inner surface. We have presented nearly all of the species known to both sides of the United States in the form of a key (see pl. 22u).

Key to the Pacific Coast Rissoina

A. Color pure-white or bluish white
B
Color yellow to light-red; 6 mm., Redondo Beach south
kelseyi Dall and Bartsch
B. Axial ribs strong, less than 20 on the last whorl
C
Axial ribs weak, numerous
D