NEiERA. 195 



that invaluable instrument of submarine research in con- 

 tinual motion. 



The genus before us includes some of the most curious, 

 delicate, and beautiful among the bivalves of our seas. 

 It also includes not a few exotic species, mostly made 

 known for the first time by the late Mr. Hinds, a gentle- 

 man whose active and intelligent exertions during the 

 few but productive years that he directed his attention 

 to natural history gave great promise of future researches, 

 too soon to be blighted by death. The amiable spirit of 

 fellowship and kindness in which he pursued his studies 

 calls forth this passing tribute of regret and admiration in 

 connection with the mention of a genus so ably elucidated 

 by his labours. 



Geologically, the genus Neara can be traced as far back 

 as the oolitic period, of which date a large and beautiful 

 species has lately been brought to light by Captain Ibbet- 

 son. Since then it' has gradually increased in number of 

 species to the present time. 



N. cuspiDATA, Olivi. 



Of moderate size, strong, fawn coloured ; beak more or less 

 produced ; surface not sculptured ; no radiating linear carina. 



Plate VII. figs. 4, 5, 6, and (animal) Plate G, figs. 4, 5, 6, 7- 



Tellina cuspidaia, Olivi, Zoolog. Adriatica, p. 101, pi. 4, f. 3, a, b, c. 



Erycina cuspidata, Risso, Hist. Nat. de TEurope Meridion. vol. iv. p. 366, pi. 



12, f. 170. 

 Anatina brevirostris. Brown, Edinb. Jl. of Nat. and Geograph. Science, vol. i. 



p. 11, pi. l,f. 1,2,3,4. 

 Thracia hrevirosira, Brown, llhist. Concli. G. B. p. 110, pi. 44, f, 11, 12, 13, 14. 

 Necera brevirostris, Loven, Index Moll. Sueciae, p. 48. 



The shape of this graceful shell somewhat resembles 

 a fig, being dilated in front and tapering behind to a very 



