ARCADE. 65 



which around the mouth are united by two foliaceous labia, 

 accompanied on each side by a pair of short palpi that on 

 their free margins are obliquely truncate. The body is dimi- 

 nutive in proportion to the size of the shell. The foot is 

 small, subcylindrically conical, grooved at the posterior part, 

 and emits a coarse byssus, which has all the active incidents of 

 that of P. pectinata. We have been assisted in this account 

 by extracts from Poli's ' Test. Sicil/ 



It appears then that Avicula scarcely differs from Pinna. 

 We think that on comparison of the two genera, malacologists 

 will be inclined to consider that their natural position is with 

 the Mytilida. 



It may be in my power to supply a fresh description of 

 Pinna, but extraneous aid will be required for Avicula, which 

 has not occurred to us at Exmouth, though it has been fre- 

 quently captured by the trawlers on the Plymouth ground. 



ARCADE. 



The Arcadce form a family of five genera, four of which, 

 Area, Pectunculus, Nucula, and Leda, are so well characterized 

 by animal distinctions, as not to require further remark ; we 

 add a fifth, Galeomma, which, though an aberrant genus, we 

 think we shall satisfactorily show has close relations with this 

 family, wherein it is placed until the animal receives additional 

 elucidation ; but this, from its rarity, may be far distant. It 

 is to be regretted that near twenty years ago, when we had it 

 alive for some days, we did not make better use of our oppor- 

 tunities. Several observers have seen it, but, it appears, not 

 with perfectly satisfactory results. Naturalists are earnestly 

 invited to look after this elegant animal, and not fail to note 

 at least its external organs and habitudes. Notwithstanding 

 the uncertainty attached to this genus, we think its provi- 

 sional residence in this family will become a permanent one ; 

 - at all events, almost any position w r ill be more satisfactory 

 than its present association with the Kelliadce. 



F 



