A Conchological Manual by George Brettingham Sowerby (best interesting books to read txt) 📕

Pallasii, Kiener.

 

   SCALARIANA. Lam. A family belonging to the first section of the order

   Trachelipoda, Lam. The shells belonging to it are described as having

   the inner and outer lips continuous, without a canal, emargination, or

   other division. In this respect the family is stated to differ from the

   Turbinacea, and is therefore separated. The genera may be distinguished

   as follows:--

 

VERMETUS. Irregularly twisted, like Serpula. Fig. 345.

 

EULIMA. Pyramidal; apex contorted; including _Bonellia_. Fig.

       347, 348.

 

RISSOA. Pyramidal, straight, consisting of few whorls. Fig. 346.

 

SCALARIA. With external varices. Fig. 351.

 

CIRRUS. Trochiform. Fig. 349.

 

ENOMPHALUS. Orbicular. Fig. 350.

 

DELPHINULA. Few whorls, rapidly increasing. Fig. 352.

 

   SCALLOP. The common name for shells of the genus Pecten, the larger

   species of which were worn by pilgrims to the Holy Land in the time of

   the Crusades.

 

   SCALPELLUM. Leach. (A little knife or lancet.) _Order_, Pedunculated

   Cirripedes, Lam.--_Descr._ Flat, quadrated, acuminated, composed of

   thirteen valves, one dorsal, arcuated; one pair apicial, acuminated;

   one pair ventral; two pair lateral, small, sub-quadrate; pedicle

   scaly.--_Obs._ This genus and _Smilium_, are the only Pedunculated

   Cirripedes which have thirteen valves; in the latter genus, which we

   think should at any rate be united to this, the valves are somewhat

   differently placed, and the pedicle is said to be smooth. Fig. 35,

   Scalpellum vulgare. British.

 

   SCAPHA. Klein. (_A boat._) NAVICELLA, Auct.

 

   SCAPHANDER. Montf. BULLA lignaria, Auct. Fig. 251.

 

   SCAPHELLA. Sw. A genus of the family "Volutinæ," Sw. thus described:

   "Shell smooth, almost polished; outer lip thickened internally; suture

   enamelled; lower plaits the smallest; apex of the spire various: 1.

   fusiformis. Sw. Bligh. Cat. 2. undulatus. _Ex._ Conch. pl. 27. 3.

   Junonia, _Ex._ Conch. pl. 33. 4. stromboides. 5. papillosa. Sw. Sow.

   gen." Sw. Malac. p. 318.

 

   SCAPHITES. (_A boat._) _Fam._ Ammonacea, Lam. and Bl.--_Descr._

   Convolute, chambered, closely related to the Ammonites, from which it

   differs in the last whorl being eccentrically straightened, and

   lengthened, and again incurved towards the extremity. Only known in a

   fossil state. Fig. 481, S. æqualis.

 

   SCAPHULA. Sw. A genus of "OLIVINÆ," Sw. thus described: "Spire very

   short, thick, obtuse, and not defined; aperture very wide, with only

   two or three oblique plaits at the base. Sw. patula, _Sow._ Tank. Cat.

(_b._)" (Sw. p. 322.)

 

   SCARABUS. Montf. (_Scarabæus_, a kind of beetle.) _Fam._ Colimacea,

   Lam. Auriculacea, Fer.--_Descr._ Oval, somewhat compressed, smooth,

   with slightly raised varices; spire equal in length to the aperture,

   pointed, consisting of numerous whorls; aperture ovate, rounded

   anteriorly, pointed posteriorly, modified by the last whorl; outer lip

   sub-reflected, with several prominent folds on the inner edge; inner

   lip spread over a portion of the body whorls, with several prominent

   folds.--_Obs._ The shells of this genus are found like Auriculæ, in

   marshy places. C. imbrium is said to have been found on the tops of

   mountains, by Captain Freycinet. Fig. 299*, S. imbrium.

 

   SCHIZODESMA. Gray. A genus composed of species of MACTRA, Auct. with

   the ligament placed in an external slit. Fig. 8, M. Spengleri.

 

   SCISSURELLA. D'Orbigny. (_Scissus_, cut.) _Fam._ Turbinacea,

   Lam.--_Descr._ Sub-globose, umbilicated, with a spiral groove

   terminating at the margin of the outer lip in a slit; spire short;

   aperture oval, modified by the last whorl; outer lip sharp, with a deep

   slit near the spire. Recent on the coasts of Britain; fossil in the

   Calcaire-grossièr.--_Obs._ This genus, consisting of small shells, is

   known from Pleurotomaria by the shortness of the spire; the latter

   genus being trochiform. Fig. 340, S. elatior.

 

   SCOLYMUS. Sw. A genus of the family "Scolyminæ." Sw. (Turbinella) thus

   described: "Sub-fusiform, armed with foliated spines; spire shorter;

   pillar with distinct plaits in the middle." The species enumerated are,

   "cornigerus, pugillaris, Globulus, Rhinoceros, ceramicus, Capitellum,

   umbilicaris, mitis." Sw. Malac. p. 304.

 

   SCORTIMUS. Montf. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.

 

   SCROBICULARIA. Schum. Species of LUTRARIA, Act. of a rounded shape.

   LIGULA, Leach.

 

   SCROBICULATED. (_Scrobiculus_, a little ditch or furrow.) Having small

   ditches or furrows marked on the surface.

 

   SCUTELLA. Brod. (_Scutellum_, a little shield.) _Fam._ Phyllidiana,

   Lam.--_Descr._ Shaped like Ancylus, pearly within; apex posteriorly

   inclined, central, involute; muscular impressions two, oblong, ovate,

   lateral; aperture large, ovate.--_Obs._ This genus is intermediate

   between Ancylus and Patella; while in the aspect of the beak, the

   observer is reminded of Navicella.

 

   SCUTIBRANCHIATA. Bl. (_Scutum_, a shield; _branchiæ_, gills.) The third

   order of Paracephalophora Hermaphrodita, Bl. containing animals with

   patelliform, but not symmetrical shells, and divided into the families

   Otidea and Calyptracea.

 

   SCUTUM. Montf. (_A shield._) PARMOPHORUS ELONGATUS, Lam.

 

   SECURIFORM. (_Securis_, an axe; _forma_, shape.) Hatchet-shaped. _Ex._

   Pedum, fig. 179.

 

   SEDENTARY ANNELIDES. Lam. The third order of the class Annelides, Lam.

   distinguished from the two other orders by the circumstance of the

   animal being enveloped by a shelly tube which it never entirely leaves.

   The order is divided into the families Dorsalia, Maldania, Serpulacea,

   and Amphitrites. Fig. 1 to 13.

 

   SEA DATE. The common name for PHOLAS Dactylus in the market, given to

   it on account of its cylindrical shape. Fig. 35.

 

   SEGMENTINA. Flem. NAUTILUS Lacustris, Montagu. Test. Brit. Planorbis

   nitidus, Drap. tab. 2. Fig. 17 to 19.

 

   SEMICORDATE. Half heart-shaped.

 

   SEMIDISCOIDAL. Forming the half of a circular disc.

 

   SEMILUNAR. Half moon-shaped.

 

   SENECTUS. Humph. A genus of "Senectinæ," thus described by Swainson:

   "Imperforate; the base produced into a broad flat lobe, spire rather

   elevated and pointed; the whorls convex; aperture perfectly round; not

   more oblique than _Helix_; inner lip entirely wanting, imperialis.

   Mart. 180. f. 1790. marmoratus. l. M. 448. f. 1." Sw. p. 348.

 

   SEMIPHYLLIDIANA. Lam. The second family of the order Gasteropoda, Lam.

   the genera of which are distinguished as follows:--

 

UMBRELLA, round, flat; apex central, muscular impression not

       interrupted. Fig. 233.

 

PLEUROBRANCHUS, apex lateral, sub-spiral. Fig. 232.

 

   SENOCLITA. Schum. CINERAS, Leach.

 

   SEPTARIA. Lam. See TEREDO.

 

   SEPTUM. (Lat.) An enclosure, applied to the thin plate of Crepidula,

   fig. 239; also to the plates dividing the chambers of multilocular

   shells.

 

   SERAPHS. Montf. TEREBELLUM convolutum, Lam. Fig. 451.

 

   SERPULA. Auct. (_A little serpent._) _Fam._ Surpulacea, Lam.--_Descr._

   Tubular, narrow, pointed at the apex, gradually widening towards the

   aperture, attached irregularly, sometimes spirally, twisted,

   imbricated; keeled or plain; aperture generally round, with the edge

   simple, or angulated by the termination of external ribs or

   keels.--_Obs._ This description is intended to include the genera

   Serpula, Spirorbis, Vermilia, Galeolaria, &c. The Serpulæ abound in all

   seas, on rocky shores, at any time covered by water, attached to any

   kind of marine substance, whether moveable or stationary. The fossil

   species occur in almost all tertiary strata. Fig. 4 to 7.

 

   SERPULACEA. Lam. The fourth family of the order Sedentary Annelides,

   Lam. containing the following genera of tubular, irregular shells.

 

SERPULA, attached by a small portion of the shell. Fig. 4.

 

SPIRORBIS, attached by the whole length, coiled. Fig. 5.

 

Galeolaria, with the open extremity raised, and the aperture

       tongue-shaped. Fig. 6.

 

VERMILIA, attached by the whole length, straight or waved. Fig.

       7.

 

SPIROGLYPHUS, which hollows a bed in the body to which it is

       attached. Fig. 8.

 

         Sowerby. (Genera of Shells, published at 50, Great Russell

       Street, Bloomsbury,) gives satisfactory reasons for re-uniting the

       whole of the preceding under the name SERPULA.

 

MAGILUS, which burrows in coral; outer lip reflected. Fig. 9 to

       10.

 

LEPTOCONCHUS, outer lip reflected. Fig. 11.

 

STYLIFER, spiral, thin, globular, living in Starfish. Fig. 12,

       13.

 

           The three last genera should certainly find some other place in

       the system.

 

   SESSILE CIRRIPEDES. Lam. (_Sessilis_, low, dwarfish.) An order of

   Cirripedes, consisting of those which are attached by the base of the

   shells, containing the genera Tubicinella, Balanus, Coronula, Acasta,

   Pyrgoma, Creusia. To which may be added some other genera enumerated in

   explanation of figures 14 to 33. The shells of the Sessile Cirripedes

   consist of two different sets of valves: 1st. The _parietal_ valves, or

   pieces arranged in a circle, side by side, around the body of the

   animal, (an arrangement designated _coronular_ by De Blainville.) 2nd.

   The _opercular_ valves, or pieces placed so as to enclose the aperture.

   Between those opercular valves the ciliæ protrude which characterize

   the class. Besides these two sets of valves, there is generally a

   shelly plate, serving as a sort of foundation to the rest. The Sessile

   Cirripedes may be thus arranged.

 

TUBICINELLA. Six parietal valves, tube-shaped, opercular valves

       perpendicular. Fig. 14.

 

CORONULA. Six parietal valves, opercular valves horizontal. Fig.

       15, 16, 17, 18.

 

           These two genera fix themselves in the skin of the Whale. The

       latter has been divided into the genera Chelonobia, Cetopirus,

       Diadema, and Chthalamus.

 

PLATYLEPAS. Valves divided, each having a prominent internal

       plate. Fig. 19.

 

CLITIA. Parietal valves four, opercular valves two, valves

       dove-tailed into each other. Fig. 20.

 

ELMINEUS. Parietal valves four, opercular valves four. Fig. 22.

 

CONIA. Parietal valves four, thick and porous at the base. Fig.

       21.

 

OCTOMERIS. Parietal valves eight. Fig. 24.

 

CATOPHRAGMUS. Parietal valves numerous, irregular. Fig. 23.

 

BALANUS. Parietal valves six; opercular valves four, placed

       against each other conically in pairs. This genus has been divided

       into Acasta, Conoplea, Chirona, and Balanus. Fig. 25, 26, 27.

 

CREUSIA. Parietal valves four, supported on the edge of a

       funnel-shaped cavity. Fig. 28.

 

PYRGOMA. Paries simple, supported on a cavity. This genus has

       been divided into the genera Nobia, Savignium, Pyrgoma, Adna,

       Megatrema, and Daracia. Fig. 29 to 33.

 

   SETIFEROUS. Hairy.

 

   SHANK SHELL. The vulgar name for the shell designated Murex Rapa. It is

   used in Ceylon for ornamental purposes.

 

   SIDEROLITES. Montf. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera.

 

   SIGARETUS. Lam. _Fam._ Macrostomata, Lam.--_Descr._ Suborbicular,

   oblique, haliotoid, thick; spire depressed, consisting of two or three

   rapidly increasing whorls; aperture wide, entire, modified by the last

   whorl, the width exceeding the length; columella tortuous; inner lip

   spread thinly over part of the body whorl; epidermis thin.--_Obs._ This

   genus is distinguished from Natica, by the width of the aperture, and

   the absence of the umbilical callosity. It may be known from Stomatia,

   and Stomatella, by the texture, which in Sigaretus, is never pearly as

   in Stomatia, the former being partly an internal shell. Fig. 334, S.

   concavus. Mostly brought from tropical climates.

 

   SILIQUA. Megerle. (A husk, or pod.) LEGUMINARIA, Schum. A genus

   composed of species of SOLEN, Auct. which have an internal rib. Fig.

   51, Solen radiatus.

 

   SILIQUARIA. Brug. _Fam._ Cricostomata, Bl. Dorsalia, Lam.--_Descr._

   Tubular, rugose, spiral near the apex, irregularly twisted near the

   aperture, with a longitudinal fissure radiating from the apex, and

   proceeding through all the whorls and sinuosities of the tube.--_Obs._

   This genus was included in Serpula by Linnæus, from which, however, it

   is distinguished by the longitudinal slit, fig. 1. S. anguina. The

   recent species are found in the sponges with siliceous spiculæ, in the

   Mediterranean; the fossils in tertiary beds.

 

   SIMPLE. (_Simplex_, lat.) Single, entire, uninterrupted, undivided.

 

   SIMPLEGAS. Mont. 1, 83. (_Simplex_, simple; [Greek: gastêr], _gaster_,

   belly.) A genus described by De Blainville, as being discoidal, and

   having the spire uncovered like AMMONITES, but having the chambers

   divided, by simple septa, like Nautilus.--_Obs._ The septa of the shell

   named Simplegas by De Montfort, are evidently sinuous, according to his

   figure. Fig. 475, S. sulcata.

 

   SINISTRAL. (_Sinister_, left.) On the left side. A sinistral shell is a

   _reversed_ one. The sinistral valve of a bivalve shell may be known, by

   placing the shell, with its ligamentary or posterior part towards the

   observer; the sides of the shell will then correspond with his right

   and left side.

 

   SINUOUS. Winding, serpentine. The septa of Ammonites are sinuous. The

   muscular impression of the mantle, or palleal impression of some

   bivalve shells, is sinuated near the posterior muscular impression.

 

   SINUS. (_Sinus_, a winding, or bay.) A winding or tortuous excavation.

   The sinus in the outer lip of Strombus, fig. 406; and that in the

   muscular impression of Venus, will be indicated by the letter _s_.

 

   SIPHON. ([Greek: Siphon], siphon.) A pipe, or tube. A shelly tube

   passing through the septa of chambered shells. It is said to be

   _dorsal_, _central_, or _ventral_, according to its situation near the

   outer, or inner parts of the whorl. See Introduction.

 

   SIPHONAL SCAR. The name applied by Mr. Gray, to the opening or winding

   sinus in the palleal impression of a bivalve shell, in the place where

   the siphonal tube of the animal passes.

 

   SIPHONARIA. Sow. ([Greek: Siphon], siphon.) _Fam._ Phyllidiana, Lam.

   Patelloidea, Bl.--_Descr._ Patelliform, depressed, inclining to oval,

   ribbed;