152 



^itute of strice on the labium and the spiral canal is completely 

 filled up. From Terehellnm, to whicli it is also allied, it may be 

 distinguished by the striated labium and columella, and the elevated 

 band at the base of the body whorl, and from Mitra and Valuta 

 by the canaliculated suture. 



Oliva literata, Lam. — Specific character. Shell with nu- 

 merous angulated brownish lines and two bands of chestnut-brown 

 ones. 



Oliva literata, Lam. Atr. dii Mus., vol. xvi., p. 315 ; and 

 Anim. sans Vertehr., vol. viL, p. 425. 



Oliva. Encycl. Meth., pi. iiQ2,fig. 1, a, h. 

 Desc. Shell with a pale yellowish-white ground color, thickly 

 covered with cinereous-rufous angulated lines, leaving distinct tri- 

 angles of the ground color ; on each side of the middle is a broad 

 baud, occasioned by the angulated lines being there of a deeper or • 

 chestnut-brown color ; the angulated lines at the upper edge of 

 the volutions are fasciculated and of the same color of the bands. 



Ohs. We are far from being certain that this is absolutely the 

 literata of Lamarck, although it agrees perfectly, except in being 

 smaller, with the figures above quoted, to which he' refers. He 

 supposed his specimens to be native.; of the East Indies. However 

 this may be, and although we formerly described it under another 

 name, we think it more prudent to consider it as indicated by 

 Lamarck's description and the figures of the Encyc. Methodique. 

 It is rather common on our Southern coast. PI. 3. 

 Unio. — Shell unattached, generally transverse, equivalved, ine- 

 quilateral ; cardinal teeth one in each valve, irregular, generally 

 striated, simple or biparted ; an elongated lamelliform to'oth on the 

 anterior hinge margin of the left valve, and two similar teeth on 

 the corresponding margin of the right valve ; muscular impressions 

 two principal ones; ligament exterior. 



Ohs. In North America the shells of this genus excel those bf 

 any other country in magnitude, beauty and diversity of species. 

 They arc altogether inhabitants of fresh water,. and we have hardly 

 a rivulet in the Union in which they are not to be found. Many 

 of them are of a beautiful perlaceous color and consistence, and wc 

 are informed that some of the very thick ones of the Ohio, have 

 been, at Pittsburgh, successfully turned into buttons and orna- 

 ments. 



