Wentletrap

Wentletrap (Scalaria), a genus of Gasteropods related to the Turritellidae. The elegant shell is spiral, with many whorls, the whorls deeply divided, and not always close together, crossed by remarkably elevated ribs, the aperture round and rather small. The colour is usually lustrous white. Scalaria is a predaceous Gasteropod, ranging from the shore to a depth of 100 fathoms. About 100 species of the genus are known. Those which have the whorls close together are called False Wentletraps by shell-collectors, those in which they are not contiguous are known as True Wentletraps. Of the former some are found in northern seas, as Scalaria communis on the coasts of Britain and of continental Europe, and S. granlandica on those of North America. The true wentletraps are all natives of the seas of warm climates. A species found in the south-east of Asia, and known as the Precious Wentletrap (S. pretiosa), was once in such esteem amongst shell-collectors that an extremely fine specimen is said to have been sold for 200 guineas; and an ordinary price was from three to five pounds. The shell may now be purchased for a few shillings.