THE SPINDLE SHELLS AND BAND SHELLS. FAMILY FUSIDAE Shell more or less spindle-shaped; varices none; lip not thickened; operculum ovate; animal as in Murex.
Genus FUSUS, Lam.
Shell spindle-shaped; spire many-whorled, sharp-pointed, longer than body whorl; colour yellow to brown, sometimes spotted, never banded; aperture oval, striate within; canal long, narrow, straight; columella smooth, arched. A large genus of world-wide distribution in warm seas. Living species, about seventy; fossil species, from Cretaceous to Eocene, about three hundred. Some of the largest and most elegant forms to be found among shells occur in this genus.
The Nicobar Spindle Shell (F. Nicobaricus, Lam.), the type of the genus, has the long, elegant spindle shape, with square shouldered whorls, crowned with distinct nodules. The ribs below the shoulders are rounded and separated by deep fossm and inclined to be tuberculate. The pale surface is copiously flamed with dark brown. The aperture is white. The straight canal is as long as the spire. Length, 5 to 6 inches.
Habitat. Japan, Philippines.
The Pagoda Spindle Shell (F. Pagoda, Less.) is a small but remarkable shell. The pyramidal spire of many whorls is orna mented by a continuous spiral row of curving, short, upturned cusps or spines. The lower part of the body whorl is sharply keeled. The canal, almost twice as long as the spire, is wound with several spiral rows of short spurs. Colour, yellow to chest nut. Length, 2 to 21 inches. Depth, 14 fathoms.
Habitat. Corea.
The Spindle Shell (F. proboscidiferus, Lam.) is a gigantic species, resembling in shape the pear conch 56 The Spindle Shells and Band Shells of the Atlantic coast. Its whorls are grooved, and a conspicuous round knob finishes the angle of the shoulder. The apex is pro longed into a sharp peak, set with nodules. The long, open canal is slightly bent. An umbilicus is parallel to it. A silky epidermis covers the shell. Exceptional specimens reach two feet in length. Colour, yellowish brown. Length, 8 to 12 inches.
Habitat. Australia.
The Very Long Spindle Shell (F. longissimus, Gmel.) is white when the pale horn-coloured epidermis is lost. Fine stria tions wind around its whorls, and ten large, low tubercles stand on the keeled shoulder of each. This is the longest of the spindle shaped species. F. candidum, Gmel. is the same. Length, 7 to 9 inches.
Habitat. Ceylon.
The Noble Spindle Shell (F. nobilis, Rve.), a superb shell, quite like F. longissimus, was described by Reeve, from a single
cabinet specimen, 'pi. inches long.
Habitat. Polynesian Islands The Distaff Fusus (F. co/us, Linn.), tinged brown on its attenuated extremities, is as long as F. undatus and twice as slender. Fine nodules rim its whorls at the shoulder. Length, 6 to 7 inches.
Habitat. Ceylon.
The Fusus (F.longicaudus, Bory) may be a form of the last without the spiral keel on its whorls. Length, 5 to 61 inches.
Habitat. Ceylon.
The Very Slender Spindle (F. gracillimus, Ads. & Rye.), coloured a rich chestnut brown, the spiral ribs crossed by longi tudinal folds, is like a miniature "long-tail." Length, 3 inches.
Habitat. Eastern Seas.
The Needle Fusus (F. acus, Ads. & Rye.), the most graceful of the spindle shells, reduces slimness to its lowest terms. Two inches is its maximum length. In sculpture and colour it is like the last species. The aperture and canal are contracted.
Habitat. China Sea.
57 The Spindle Shells and Band Shells The Morocco Fusus (F. Maroccanus, Gmel.) is left-handed, but one inch long, and has a short canal, twisted to the right. Its finely ribbed whorls coil in a slanting position as if lifted by the large mouth. There seems to be doubt as to the location of this species, set down by some authority to the West Indies.
The spindles of colder waters are small and have a more ovoid shape.
The Ashy Fusus (F. cinereus, Rve., F. luteopictus, Da11) has a long spire and short canal. Strong folds and ribs cross to produce a latticed surface, marked with ashy blue on a white ground. The mouth has a brown lining. Length, t inch or less.
Habitat. San Francisco to San Diego, Cal.
Habitat. Catalina Island and Monterey, Cal.
The Scorched Fusus (F. ambustus, Gld.), brownish yellow as if scorched, has eight keeled whorls, crossed by eight rounded varices and encircled by narrow, elevated ridges, separated by wide depressions. The roundish aperture is somewhat small; the columella smooth; channel short. Length, i to inches.
Habitat. Mazatlan.