112 VENERIDA. 
young, in which state it forms the A. minutissima of authors. 
The general colour of the animal is white; the mantle is 
largely open, with plain margins. There are no siphons; the 
anal orifice is sessile. I am unable to say if there is a distinct 
aperture for branchial functions. The mantle may be entirely 
open to the anal conduit, receiving the water throughout the 
ventral range. The foot is finger-shaped, and when much 
exserted a posterior geniculation is seen; it is hyalme, mixed 
with snow-white flakes. No other organs could be seen; in- 
deed its minuteness will not allow of any remarks on the 
branchial structure. The animal was lively, and on the march 
turned from one side to the other. 
Taken in the coralline zone at Exmouth, 1852. 
VENERIDA. 
This beautiful and numerous family, if we take into account 
the exotic species, is, as regards the British indigena, confined 
to very moderate dimensions, and in our method only includes 
the two genera, Venus and Pullastra. With our views of the 
unnecessary and artificial extension, by the moderns, of many 
of the Linnzan genera, with scarcely a trace of difference of 
essential animal organization to support them,—for surely a 
tooth more or less is not an essential poit,—we entirely 
concur with M. Deshayes in merging Cytherea in Venus. We 
examined, about twenty years ago, at Exmouth, a full-grown 
live specimen of the Cytherean type, the Venus Chione, but 
we can offer few remarks on its specialties, as, unfortunately, 
notes were not made on it; at present we only observe, that 
it is as decidedly a typical Venus in every essential point as 
any of the race. We have also no hesitation im consigning 
the Artemis of authors as a section of the Veneres, though 
it is said that the foot and coalition of the siphonal tubes vary 
from Venus; but having repeatedly seen the V.ewxoleta, the 
type, alive, we can state, that its organs are of the same con- 
figuration, The V. lincta has not been met with, and is the 
