so POPULAR BRITISH CONCHOLOGY. 



SOLECURTIDJE. 



While the SolenidcB have short united siphons^ the 8ole- 

 cuftidm have them longer^ and separated. The Sole^iidce 

 have long straight shells,- with terminal hinges ; but the Sole- 

 curtidm have shorter and more rounded shells^ with hinges 

 nearly central. The genera of British Solecurtidtd are — 



I. Ceratisolen, or Pod-shaped Solen. 



C. legumen {''Solen legumen" of authors) is long, flat, 

 greenish, smooth, with the hinge rather more posterior 

 than anterior. The valves are rather broader and more 

 square at the front side. The external ligament is 

 placed upon a thickened fulcrum, and the teeth are 

 three in each valve, rather irregular. The siphonal 

 tubes of the animal are of a brownish-red colour ; they 

 are rather long, divided, unequal, and fringed. The 

 foot is of the same colour, very broad, thick, and large, 

 with a flattish disc underneath. The mantle is opened 

 in front, with the edges of the opening fringed. 



II. SoLECURTUS. — Tlie shell, although still transversely ob- 



long, is much shorter than the preceding ; the valves 

 are compressed, equal, and gaping at both ends, with 

 the hinge nearly central. The mantle of the animal 



