MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS 



MERGE. 



Fam. Veneridse. 



Char. Gen. Testa fequivalva, inssquilateraj subovali-cuneiforrais, 

 Ifevis, solida, epidermide tenui induta, postice subangulata, antice 

 rotundata; margine ventrali interne denticulato; liganriento in 

 aream excavatam inserto; lunula antica distincta, elongata, im- 

 pressa; cardine dentibus tiibus cardinalibus et uno elongate 

 laterali antico in utraque valva; impressionibus muscularibus 

 duabus lateralibus ; impressione pallii sinu rotundato. 



The deep excavation of the hinder part of the dorsal edge, in 

 which the ligament is placed, and the obtuse wedge-like form, 

 seems to separate this genus quite naturally from Cijtheraa. 



1. Merge picta (pi. cxxvi. f. 1, 2), Selmm. Venus Meroe, 

 Linnmis. Donax Meroe, Lamarck. 



M, testa omnino plauulatim costata, antice elongata, postice 

 angulo subacuto ; colore intiis violaceo, extiis purpureo, vel lineis 

 acutangularibus purpureis ornato. 



Flatly ribbed all over, the hinder side the shorter ; angle of the 

 outline rather acute ; the ventral edge not particularly bulged ; 

 variable in colour, generally with broad purple angular lines on a 

 pale ground. 



Philippines. //. Cuming. 



2. Meroe epiossa (pi. cxxvi. f, 11, 12). Hanley, Pro. Zool. 

 Soc. 1832; Eecent Shells, p. 199; Wood's Supplement, pi. 15. 

 f. 18. 



M. testa omnino costis elevatis rotundatis cincta, antice brevius- 

 cula, rotundatim angustata, postice angulo obtuso ; colore pallido, 

 lineis fuscis angulatim scripto, intiis albido, versus apicem roseo 

 tiucto. 



In this species the ribs are rounded and elevated, tlie anterior 



i K 



