The Slit Limpets

THE SLIT LIMPETS Genus EMARGINULA, Lam.

Shell oval, conical, like a clown's pointed cap, with narrow vertical slit in from the front margin. Cabinet specimens, how ever small, can be easily traced to their proper genus by their limpet shape and this peculiar slit. The few North American species are found on the Florida Keys.

Genus SUBEMARGINULA, Blainv.

Shell roundish oval; apex high, near middle, curved back ward; surface radially ribbed; anal slit a short marginal notch, with internal groove leading toward apex. Southern Florida

has two species. The genus is well represented in the West Indies, and in all the archipelagoes of tropical seas.

S. Rollandii,

Fisch., is a little shell with radiating ribs 229 The Key-hole Limpets almost uniform in size and daintily beaded. The slit is deeper than in most species, a clear identification. Colour, pale flesh tint or green, with white rays. Length, I inch.

Habitat.— Florida, West Indies.