48 CONCHOLOGY. 



bles a wedge, being very broad and thick at one extremity, 

 and gradually tapering towards the other. They vary in 

 colour, but the most general is purple radiated on a white 

 ground, diverging from the beak to the margin ; many have 

 an orange tinge, and others a pink hue ; the interior gener- 

 ally partakes of the colour of the exterior. There are not, 

 perhaps, two species that have absolutely the same hinge. 



The Donax is found buried deep in the sand of the sea- 

 shore, with the short side uppermost. 



Shell sub-trigonal, greater in length than in height, equi- 

 valve, very inequilateral ; posterior side much shorter than 

 the anterior ; summits almost vertical ; hinge complex, simi- 

 lar ; two cardinal teeth in one or both valves ; one or two 

 remote lateral teeth on each valve ; ligament posterior, short, 

 and inflated ; two rounded muscular impressions. 



Donax scortum. Donax granosa. 



D. pubescens. D. columbella. 



D. compressa. D. veneriformis. 



D. cuneata. D. Australis. 



D. deltoides. D. epidermia. 



D. radians. D. bicolor. 



D. abbreviata. D. vittata. 



D. triquetra. D. meroe. 



D. ringens. D. scripta. 



D. rugosa. D. trunculus. 



D. Cayennensis. D. flabagella. 



D. elongata. D. cinatinum. 



D. denticulata. D. Martinicensis. 



D. cardioides. 



D. scortum. The beaked Donax. PL 8, fig. 4. 

 Species oval, of which the posterior side is sub-truncated ; 

 with decussated and muricated striae. 



D. trunculus. The common Donax. 

 Oblong, glossy, finely striated longitudinally, transversely 

 banded and radiated with purple ; white, clouded with purple 



