168 NEW-YORK FAUNA — MOLLUSCA. 



Anomia EPHIPPIUM. 



PLATE XII. FIG. 209. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Anomia ephippium. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 1150. 



A. id. el patellaris. Lamarck, An. sans vert. Ed. Brux. Vol. 3, p. 102. 



A. ephippium. Russel, Essex Jour. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1, p G2. 



A. id. Gould, Invertebrata of Mass. p. 138. 



Description. Shell orbicular, sometimes transversely elongated and variously distorted, 

 sometimes with undulated or jagged margins. Surface scaly, lamellar, and easily impressed 

 by contact with foreign substances. Upper valve very convex, cup-shaped, with a small 

 beak : lower valve smaller, flat or concave, with a circular hole which is uniled to the margin 

 by a greater or less fissure. 



Color, varying from brilliant yellow to rose-red and white ; muscular impression opake 

 white. 



Length, 0-5- 1-5. Width, 0*8 - 1 "9. 



There is a variety which is ribbed or fluted by contact with a Pecten, described as patel- 

 laris. These flutings are not always longitudinal, but occasionally transverse and even re- 

 versed, becoming wider towards the beaks, showing the accidental position of the Anomia 

 upon the Pecten. Very often both valves are thus ribbed. It is a common species on all our 

 shores, and known under the popular name of Jingle shells. Common to the shores of Eu- 

 rope and America. 



(EXTRA LIMIT AL) 



aculeata, Gmel. (Gould, Op. cit. p. 139, fig. 90. Pl. 12, fig. 210 of this work.) Shell small, 

 rounded, inclining to be straight at the hinge-margin. Beaks obtuse, terminal: upper valve with 

 fine prickly scales arranged in radiating lines ; lower valve smooth. Color, yellowish white. 

 Diameter, 0' 5. Europe, and shores of Massachusetts. 



Obs. Dr. Gould states that probably two other species (electrica and squamula, Lin.) exist on 

 the coast of Massachusetts. 



