"56. STROPHIA SCRIPTA. Novo.
Inscribed Strophia.
Plate I fig. 3, front, fig. 4, side view of type.
DESCRIPTION.
SP. CH. Size about medium, shell rather thick and heavy.
Striations, present. Whirls, 11. Examined 29 specimens.
Form of shell a pointed cylinder, the first whirl being the largest, then each successsive whirl is a little smaller to the fourth, from which the shell tapers more suddenly to a semi-obtuse point, forming an angle of fifty degrees. The striations are moderately numerous, twenty to the first whirl, but they are not very prominent. Are quite regula.r, but not arranged in lines. They are rather straight being curved slightly to the right at their lower terminations, and are slightly inclined from right to left. They are not furrowed, but rounded and polished, and the interspaces between them are twice their width. The aperture is not especially large, measuring but a little more within than at the entrance. Both teeth are represented by a mere tubercle scarcely to be seen even with the aid of a magnifying glass.
Margin, not produced forward as far as the diameter of the shel1. It is very slightly inclined to the right, but not beyond the side of the shel1. It is exceedingly thin, measuring rather less than .02, is only slightly flanging, being extended outward about .04, it is not rolled over and the edge is only slightly rounded. The frontal bar is very slightly indicated, consequently the striations pass with very little diminution of size directly into the interior of the shell, and a sectionized specimen shows that they continue quite to the apex.
Color of shell externally bluish white, beautifully marked with rather longitudinal patches of deep purplish brown which often overlie the striations as well as the interspaces between them. These brown marks are encroached upon on either side by alternating lines of white which often penetrates nearly through this brown causing it to appear like pen markings made with brown ink. This semblance is heightened by the fact that the brown lines are not often broken through. Internally the color is rather deep purplish brown, paler on the margin.
DIMENSIONS.
Size of type, 1.30 by .47. Longest specimen 1.30 by .50; smallest, 1.05 by .35 ; greatest diameter, .50, smallest, .35; longest specimen, 1.30; shortest, 1.05.
OBSERVATIONS.
Variation consists in a tendency to produce a stouter form with the first three whirls equal, and also a form with less fleckings.
Form No. 1. In addition to these varieties which must be considered as simply individual, there is a well established form which consists of about twenty percent of the whole examined. These are smaller, shorter shells with 10 whirls, size, 1.05 by .35. The form and markings are similar to the type form. This fine species was labled "Pupa chrysalis" in the collection, but differs in several important particulars from that species. It is smaller, with a smaller aperture which has a margin that is scarcely flanging at all, the teeth are much smaller, while the fleckings are much darker and are not as much broken into horizontal lines and the shell is more pointed.
These shells were labled as coming from " Cardenas, Cuba, Andrés M. de Cisneros [ collector] received Jan. 14, 1878.""
