Sculpture Mollusc

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Sculpture Mollusc

The following are terms applicable to the sculpture of a molluscan shell:

Axial sculpture - Sculpture running parallel to the axis of coiling. The Axis is an imaginary line through the apex of a gastropod shell, about which the whorls are coiled.

Bead - A small hemispherical protuberance resembling a bead, similar to but smaller than a nodule.

Beaded resembling rows or strings of beads.

Growth Line(s) - fine transverse lines marking growth of the shell.

Lirate - ornamented with fine thread-like lines or grooves.

Longitudinal sculpture - following the direction of the axis of the shell.

Nodule - A rounded protuberance on the shell sculpture; larger than a bead.

Nodose, '''Nodulose''' or '''Nodular''' - bearing small rounded protuberances or tubercules.

Ornament - Can refer to surface sculpture standing out in relief on shell surface; or simply to sculpture as a whole.

Pustule(s) - very fine knob-like protrusions, smaller than a tubercule.

Reticulate - sculpture consisting of a criss-crossing network of riblets, threads, or grooves.

Rib - a strong ridge on the surface of the shell.

Riblet - smaller than a rib, but coarser than a thread.

Spiral sculpture - Sculpture following the spiral growth of the shell.

Stria (Pl. ''striae'') - a shallow incised groove.

Striate - ornamented with striae.

Thread - a very fine riblet.

Transverse sculpture - sculpture parallel to the edge of the outer lip of the Aperture .

Tubercle(s) - Elevated knob-like projections or protrusions; larger than pustule.

Varicose - Bearing a Varix or varices.