CAPSELLA. 



Genus CAPSELLA, Deshmjes. 

 Testa subelongato-tramvena, plerumque aquilateralis, Itsvi- 

 gata vel concentrice striata, epidermide sapissime cor- 

 ned olimced induta, latere antico rotundato, postico 

 paulo angulato-truttcato, angulo obtasissimo, interdum 

 vix nullo. Cardo dente unico in valvd sinistra, duo- 

 bus in valvd dextrd, bifurcatis. Ligatnenttim exter- 

 num, subamplum, sub callositate oblonga interna po- 

 situm. Iiiipressio nmscularis pallii ampUter sinuosa. 

 Shell rather elongately transverse, generally equilateral, 

 smooth or concentrically striated, covered with an 

 olive epidermis, which is mostly horny, anterior side 

 rounded, posterior slightly angularly truncated, angle 

 very obtuse, sometimes scarcely any. Hinge with 

 one tooth in the left valve, two teeth in the right 

 valve, bifurcated. Ligament external, rather large, 

 placed upon an internal oblong callosity. Muscular 

 impression of the mantle largely sinuous. 

 While lately arranging the Lamarckian family Nyni- 

 phacea in the collection of Mr. Cuming, M. Deshayes set 

 apart a characteristic series of thirteen species of shells col- 

 lected in the Eastern Seas, the only one of which hitherto 

 described was included by Lamarck in his genus Fsam- 

 mobia (P. elougaia). The remaining twelve M. Deshayes 

 described in the ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society ' 

 for 1854, under the title of Capsella, taken subgenerically 

 as a section of the Lamarckian Capsa. To this genus, 

 better known to conchologists as Iphigmia of Schumacher, 

 the shells under consideration have less affinity than to 

 Soktellina. They partake materially of the characters 

 of the latter genus. The hinge scarcely differs except 

 in the teeth being more distinct and in the posterior 

 oblong callosity being less prominently developed, but 

 there is a very natural assimilation of external characters. 

 They are all of a uniform oblong-transverse growth, with 

 the posterior side uniformly simply truncated into a faintly 

 obtuse angle. 



Twelve of the species are from the Philippine Islands. 

 The remainder are from China, Ceylon, and the Moluccas. 



The Chinese Capsella. Shell elongately transverse, 

 compressed towards the margin, covered with a 

 bright yellowish-chestnut epidermis, inequilateral, 

 anterior side the longer, rounded, posterior slant- 

 ingly compressed, but little truncated. 



Deshayes, Pro. Zool. Soc. 1854, p. 348. 



Eab. China Seas. 



Of an oblong-triangular form, compressed towards the 



margin, and bright yellowish-chestnut colour. 



Species 1. (Mus. Cuming.} 



Capsella Chinensis. Caps, testa elougato-transversd, 



versus marginem compressd, ejiidermide vivide luteo- 



castaned induta, itiaquilaterali, latere antico longiore, 



rotundato, postico declivi-compresso, paruni trnncato. 



January 



Species 2. (Mus. Cuming.) 

 Capsella dipficilis. Caps, testa elongato-transversa, 

 tumidtdd, tenui, aquilaterali, tenuistriatd, epidermide 

 lutescente-viridi induta, latere antico obtum, supeme 

 recto, postico oblique truncate, angulum obtusissimim 

 formaute. 

 The rugged Capsella. Shell elongately transverse, 

 rather swollen, thin, equilateral, finely striated, co- 

 vered with a yellowish-green epidermis, anterior side 

 obtuse, straight at the upper part, posterior obliquely 

 truncated, forming a very obtuse angle. 

 Deshayes, Pro. Zool. Soc. 1854, p. 347. 

 Hab. Philippine Islands ; Cuming. 



Of rugged growth, covered with a little dull yellowish- 

 green epidermis, partially eroded about the umboes. 



Species 3. (Mus. Cuming.) 



Capsella hufa. Caps, testa elongato-transversa, tenui, 

 compressiusculd, subaquilaterali, arcuatd, rugoso- 

 striatd, epidermide castaneo-rufd induta, versus urn- 

 bones erosd, inius roseo-pnrpurascente, latere antico 

 subattenuato-rotwndato, postico oblique flexuoso-trun- 

 cato. 



The ked Capsella. Shell elongately transverse, thin, 

 rather compressed, nearly equilateral, arched, roughly 

 striated, covered with a chestnut-red epidermis, eroded 

 towards the umboes, interior rose-purple, anterior 

 side rather attenuately rounded, posterior obliquely 

 fle.xuously truncated. 



Deshayes, Pro. Zool. Soc. 1854, p. 347. 



Eab. Bay of Manila ; Cuming. 



Distinguished by a somewhat arched growth, clothed 



1857. 



