ASTARTE, 459 



A. ELLiPTicA, Brown. 



Elliptically or ovatelj siibcordate, typically compressed, mucli 

 produced and obtusely (but not broadly) biaugulated behind, 

 covered witb a rufous chestnut or olivaceous brown cuticle, con- 

 centrically ribbed and striolate ; costal rounded, more or less 

 depressed, not crowded, as broad as their interstices, either not 

 extending to the ventral margin, or growing obsolete at the 

 lower posterior corner and along the hinder shelving area : inner 

 margins quite entire ; scars large. 



Plate XXX. fig. 8. 



Crassina ovata. Brown (not Smith) Edinb. Journal of Natur. and Geogr. 

 Science, vol. i. p. 12, pi. 1, f. 8, 9. — Brown, Illust. Conch. 

 G. B. p. 96, pi. 38, f. 12, 13. 

 „ sulcata, NiLSON, (not Maton, Turt. nor Lam.) Nov. Act. Holm. 1822, 



p. 187, pi. 2, f. 1,2. 

 „ elliptica, Hanl. Recent Shells, suppl. pi. 14, f. 36. — Brit. Marine Conch, 

 p. 246, f. 107 (not well).— Brown, Illust. Conch. G. B. p. 

 96, pi. 38, f. 3. 

 Astarte elliptica, Macoilliv. Moll. Aberd. p. 259. 



„ semisulcata, (not of Leach) Moller, Ind. Moll. Groen (from type). — 

 Philippi, Neuer Conch, vol. ii. p. 57, Astarte, pi. 1, f. 10. 

 — LovEN, Ind. Moll. Skandin. p. 37 (from type). 



Although to determine by the pen the exact limits be- 

 tween this and the preceding species demands a certain pro- 

 lixity of diagnosis, the eye most readily discriminates them 

 when mingled together. For no difficulty can occur in 

 separating the fully developed shells, as the inner margins 

 are so widely at variance ; and if we compare the im- 

 mature sulcata with the present shell in any stage of 

 growth, we shall find the ribs of the former most sharply 

 defined, and not at all obsolete towards the posterior corner 

 or at the ventral margin, whilst those of the latter (and 

 particularly in the young) are depressed and obsolete at 

 one or both of those areas. 



The typical form is elliptically heart- shaj^ed, but the 

 abbreviated variety is ovatc-cordiform, and most closely 



