No. 10. VENUS. 

 Venus Shell. Inhabitant a Tethys. 



Shell bivalve, anterior margin, with incumbent lips, hinge with three teeth, 

 all which are approximate; the lateral ones divergent at the tip. The Area 

 and Areola are well defined : the animal differs from the Tethys that inhabits 

 the Cardium, chiefly in having the foot of the animal when protruded, lamina 

 formed, instead of hooked, and as a moluscus animal, taking a variety of 

 forms as the creature moves. Many of the shells of this genus were classed 

 by writers among the Chamas. Previous to the time of Linnaeus, the Grew- 

 linean system describes 145 species, which are divided into five divisions. 



The Venus Mercenaria, (called by the Indians quahaug,) was used by the 

 Indians of North America to form their wampum. The Venus was so 

 termed because of the general beauty of the genus, and also because it is 

 fabled by the ancients that one of them was the chariot of the Sea-born God- 

 dess, when she came in triumph to the shores of Paphos. 



The whole of this elegant shell or genus are oceanic, being either found 

 in the mud or sand when the tide has receded, or fished up from very deep 

 water. The Venus shells, of which there are so many species, are remarka- 

 ble for the brilliancy of their colors and the smoothness of their surfaces, the 

 interior being often adorned with the most lovely tints. In some species of 

 the richest purple, especially that called by the inhabitants of Devonshire, 

 Eng. (Pullet,) and ate by them: the same is also known in the Northern 

 Islands by the name of Cullyack, and there used as a bait. 



DIVISION I. With the anterior depression spinous. 



Scientific name. Locality. Scientific name. Locality. 



Venus Dione, S. Am., W. Indies, Marica, American Seas, West 



Brazil, Trinidad. Indies. 



DIVISION II. Subcordate. 



Many species of this division are remarkable for the smoothness and bril- 

 liant lustre, as well as the high and rich, coloring of their surfaces. 



