Using css class as variable

Using css class as variable

I have a question about the proper syntax for using a css class as a variable.

I tried this and it's working great... 

function populate_NC(countyClass) {
    $('.' + countyClass).append('<option value="Select">--Select One--</option>');
    $('.' + countyClass).append('<option value="Alamance County">Alamance</option>');
    $('.' + countyClass).append('<option value="Alexander County">Alexander</option>');

      ...
}


But I'd like to use the same concept to remove the counties from the list.  Currently I have this, which is working fine, but I'd like to replace with the variable: 

 $("'.countyMailingDropDown' > option").remove();


I've tried a few variations of quotation marks, but haven't yet been successful.   Any thoughts?


    $(" '.' + countyClass > option").remove();     ///not working!


Thanks for any help!