98 



[J. A. N. S. vol. ii. p. 302, et seqq., June, 1822.] 



Tellin A IRIS. — Shell very thin and fragile, pellucid, compressed, 

 transversely oblong-suboval, iridescent, white, with generally a 

 rosaceous disk and one or two anterior rays, with numerous minute 

 concentric wrinkles, and minute, oblique, acutely impressed, equi- 

 distant striae crossing them ; striae abbreviated before and not at- 

 taining the anterior margin, which is narrowed and subacute : basal 

 edge rectilinear opposite to the beaks. 



Length more than three-tenths of an inch. Breadth more than 

 eleven-twentieths of an inch. Inhabits the southern shores. Cabi- 

 net of the Academy and Philadelphia Museum. 



A beautiful little species, very remarkable by the oblique course 

 of the striae. It is rather common. 



Tellina flexuosa. — Shell suborbicular, white ; anterior mar- 

 gin longer than the posterior one, and less obtusely rounded ; beak 

 placed behind the middle, not prominent ; surface obliquely sculp- 

 tured with very regular, parallel, impressed lines, which, on the 

 anterior margin, are four or five times refracted and infracted alter- 

 nately ; longitudinal striae none ; transverse wrinkles minute. 



Length nine-twentieths of an inch. Breadth rather more. 

 Thickness one-fourth of an inch. Inhabits the southern coast- 

 Cabinet of the Academy and Philadelphia Museum. 



The fold on the anterior margin is very slight, but perceptible, 

 and is rendered remarkable by the zigzag course of the oblique 

 striae over it. 

 ■ Tellina tenera. — Shell very thin and fragile, pellucid, com- 

 pressed, transversely oblong-suboval, whitish, iridescent, concen- 

 trically wrinkled ; basal edge arquated, not rectilinear opposite to 

 the beaks ; hinge teeth two, larger one emarginate ; posterior tooth 

 but little elevated ; anterior tooth obsolete ; beak placed behind 

 the middle. 



Length three-tenths of an inch nearly. Breadth half an inch. 

 Inhabits the coast of New Jersey. Cabinet of the Academy. 



Very much resembles T. iris, but is destitute of the oblique 

 striae which are so ornamental to that species, from which it also 

 differs in being arquated on the whole length of the basal edge. 

 It was discovered by my brother Mr. Benjamin Say, near Great 

 Egg Harbor. 



