\Sca*la"ri*a\, n. [L., flight of steps.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of marine gastropods of the genus
{Scalaria}, or family {Scalarid[ae]}, having elongated spiral
turreted shells, with rounded whorls, usually crossed by ribs
or varices. The color is generally white or pale. Called also
{ladder shell}, and {wentletrap}. See {Ptenoglossa}, and
{Wentletrap}.