61 



CHAPTER XI. 



ELEGANCE OF THE SHELLS OP THE VENUS TRIBE. THE BOEING VENUS OR 



TAPES. — DIFFERENT HABITS AMONG THE SAME SPECIES. — CYTHER.EA. 

 — VENUS. ARTEMIS. — LUCINOPSIS. 



Although^ as a general rule, our mollusca partake of the 

 same quiet, sober hues which characterize the greater part 

 of our native productions, and it is rarely permitted us to 

 feast upon the gorgeous tints which adorn the littoral in- 

 habitants of warmer and more sunny climes, yet the sterner 

 rules are now and then relaxed in our favour, and in the 

 Venus tribe we meet with several shells on our own coasts 

 of great beauty. And if even these do not equal in splendour 

 the inhabitants of southern seas, we often see the want of 

 more showy colours made up by the exquisite delicacy of 

 some tints, and the harmonious arrangement of others. 

 The animals of Veiieridce are in general much alike ; 



