147 243 



This beautiful species is doubtless often confused with Ch. marica L., which 

 it somewhat resembles, and it is probably more widely distributed than is at 

 present known. The specimens from the Gulf of Siam vary greatly both in outline 

 and in colour, most of them are not as high as is shown in Smith's figure (but 

 the measurements given in the text agree fairly well with those of my specimens), 

 and resemble more closely Reeve's figure (loc. cit.), which I think ought to be 

 referred to the present species. The coloration varies exceedingly, there are scarcely 

 two specimens which are alike in regard to painting; pale-red, white, and yellow 

 individuals occur, with brown or red zigzag-lines, spots and rays, and many other 

 paintings. In the interior of the valves the colour varies from entirely white to 

 dark lilac. As the lamellæ upon the posterior end ai-e often only slightly conspicuous, 

 I think that Adams's and Reeve's species Venus cost elli fer a is nothing butan individual 

 of Ch. recognita, Sm., with worn or only slightly developed lamellæ; the other 

 distinguishing characters given for V. costellifera are also not very good. H. A. 

 Pii.sBRY, ' under the name of Ch. bizenensis, has described a very closely allied form 

 from Japan. 



Chione (Omphaloclathrum) subnodulosa, Hani. 



PI. V, Fig. 5). 



Venus subnodulosa, Hanlky, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, XII, 1844, p. 160. 



— — — Catalogue of rec. biv. shells, p. 3G0, pi. 16, fig. 19. 



Chione — — Dkshayks. Catalogue of the Conchifera in Brit. Mus.. I, 185.3, p. 143. 



Venus — — Reeve, Conchol. icon., XIV, Venus, Sp. 102. 



Off Koli Kam, 10 fathoms, gravel (-/i;). Between Koh Mesan and Cape Liant, 

 5—9 fathoms (8). Gulf of Rayong, 7 — 10 fathoms, sand, mud (13). S. of Koh Samit, 

 20 fathoms, mud (21). Off Tung Kaben, 6 fathoms, mud mixed with sand (2). S. of 

 Koh Mak, 5 — 6 fathoms (^'a). N. of Koh Kahdat, 4—5 fathoms, coarse sand (8). 

 Koh Kahdat, 1—5 fathoms, sand (5). Between Koh Kut and Koh Kahdat, 6 — 10 

 fathoms, shells, and clay mixed with sand (25). W. of Koh Kut, 15 fathoms, mud (4). 

 W. of Koh Kut, 30 fathoms, sand, mud ('/a). 



Long. 3 — 19 mm. 



Long. 19 mm., alt. 13 mm., crass. 10 mm. 



Distribution:— Singapore (2—3 fathoms, coral-reef (^/s), Danish Exp. to 

 Siam), Philippines (Han'ley), Thursday Island (v. Martens), Torres Strait (Melvill 

 & Standen), Mast Head Reef, Queensland (Hedley). 



This species varies rather considerably, e. g. with regard to the distances 

 between the concentric lamellæ. The coloration is also, as in Ch. recognita, Sm., 

 very variable; usually the primary colour is light or yellowish, with brown rays or 

 stripes; in the Gulf of Siam, however, entirely white specimens, with dark brown 

 lunules, were taken. The interior of the valves is either quite white or ornamented 

 with dark spots and rays. 



' Proceed. Acad. Nat. Hist. Philadelphia, vol. 56, 1904, p. 553, pi. 41, figs. 1—2. 



31* 



