370 MEEETETX. 



Family VENEEID^. 



Genus MERETRIX, Lamarck. 

 [Mem. Soc. Hist. Nat. Paris, 1799, p. 85.] 

 Cytherea, Lamarck, Ann. Mus. t. vii. 1806, p. 132. 



Shell oval-subtrigonal, smooth or concentrically striated, lunula 

 conspicuous; margin of the valves not cremilated; hinge carrying 

 three cardinal teeth on each valve ; ligament external ; sinus 

 deep. 



Type. — Venus meretrix, Linnaeus. 



Meretrix paucirugata, Tate (sp.). 



1887. Cytherea paucirugata, Tate, Trans. Eoy. Soc. South Aust. vol. ix. 

 p. 158, pi. xiv. fig. 14. 



Characterized by lamellate rugae on the posterior slope, and by 

 the acuminate posterior prolongation ; pallial sinus very deep. 

 Dimensions. — Height 29 mm. ; length 39 mm. 

 Form, and Loc. — Miocene : Muddy Creek, Yictoria. 



L. 4831. Both valves of the adult. 



Presented ly John Betmant, Esq. 

 L. 6607, L. 9894. Examples of both valves. Purchased. 



Meretrix submultistriata, Tate (sp.). 



1887. Cytherea submultistriata, Tate, Trans. Roy. Soc. South Aust. vol. ix. 

 p. 160, pi. xviii. figs. 6, 8. 



Eeadily distinguished from M. paucirugata, Tate, by the absence 

 of lamellate rugae ; the shell being elongate-ovate, smooth, the 

 surface being irregularly lineated by growth-lines; anterior and 

 posterior lateral teeth very short. 



Dimensions. — Height 28'5 mm. ; length 38 mm. 



Form, and Loc. — Miocene : Muddy Creek, Yictoria. 



L. 4832. Both valves of the adult. 



Presented by John Pennant, Esq. 



L. 6608. Two specimens of the left valve. Purchased. 



