65 



It is peculiarly abundant on the coast of New Jer- 

 sey, and is generally used as a scoop in the vicinity. 

 It is unknown on the coast south of Virginia, or at 

 least never attains more than half the size, if it be the 

 same species ; it is, however, supposed to be distinct ; 

 it is more elongated than M. similis, and occurs on 

 the coast of New Jersey, in company with the pre- 

 sent species. The name Reveneli might be applied to 

 it, as Professor Ravenel, of Charleston, first detected 

 the difference between it and the solidissima. 



SOLEMYA. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Shell equivalve, inequilateral, oblong, obtuse at the 

 extremities j epidermis strong, shining, continued be- 

 yond the margins ; substance of the shell extremely 

 thin, fragile ; beaks not prominent j hinge with an 

 apophysis in each valve, dilated, compressed, very ob- 

 lique, somewhat concave, and receiving the cartilage; 

 muscular impressions two, distant ; palleal impression 

 without a sinus ; ligament exterior. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



This singular genus is possessed of such extreme 

 tenuity of the testaceous substance, that a strong epi- 



