51 



TEL LIN A. 



A. Ovate and thickish. (Plate V. Fig. 2.) 



B. Ovate compre.ssed. (Fig. 3.) 



C. Suborbicular. (Fig. 4.) 



Shell compressed tovv^ards the anterior slope, and 

 often bent. Teeth of the hinge mostly three ; 

 lateral teeth plain, or not existing, in one of the 

 valves. (Fig. 1.) 



The beaks are very short, and usually lean to- 

 wards the ligament, which is large, and covers the 

 prominent margin of the suture. 



It is difficult to beginners in the science of Con- 

 chology to discriminate between the genera Tel- 

 lina and Venus. In the forms of the shells, one 

 genus much resembles the other ; and the teeth 

 of some small species are not distinct to an inex- 

 perienced eye. The difference will therefore best 

 be learnt by observing principally the inclination 

 of the beaks : if they at all tend towards the liga- 

 ment, the shell will belong to the genus Tellina ; 

 also, if any remote lateral teeth be discernible, 



