MODIOLA. 183 



161. — Maton and Rack. Dorset. Catalog, p. 40, pi. 12, f. 5 



(on the right). 

 MoJiola Papuana, Lam. Anini. s. Vert. (ed. Desh.) vol. vii. p. 18 (partly). — 



Brown, Illust. Conch. G. B. p. 77 (chiefly), pi. 27, f. 1 to 



4. — Leach, Zoolog. Miscellany, vol. ii. p. 33. — Say, 



American Conchology, pi. 45. — Blainville, Manuel 



Malacologie, pi. 64, f. 3 (probably). 

 „ Modiolus, TuRT. Dithyra Brit. p. 199, pi. 15, f. 3. — Brit. Mar. Conch. 



p. 107. — Gould, Invert. Massach. p. 123. — Hanl. 



Recent Shells, vol. i. p. 233, pi. 12, f. 31, 49. 

 „ vulgaris, Fleming, Brit. Anim. p. 412. — Alder, Catal. Northumb. 



and Durham Moll. p. 81. — Woodarch, Conchology, ed. 



2, pi. l,f. 10. 

 Mytilus Papuanus, Deshayes, Encyclopedie Method. Vers, vol. ii. p. 564, pi. 



219, f. 1. 

 Modiola harhata, Macgilliv. Moll. Aberdeenshire, p. 237. 



This fine Modiola, which surpasses in amplitude any 

 known species of its genus, bears but Httle resemblance, 

 when adult, to most of its European congeners, but ap- 

 proximates rather to certain of the species ( PMUppinarum, 

 Australis, (Sj-c), inhabiting the Chinese and Australian seas. 

 Its shape is oblong-subtrigonal, or elongated-oblong, and 

 excessively inequilateral ; its valves, when fully grown, are 

 strong, opaque, and covered with a pitch-brown cuticle, or 

 stout adherent epidermis, which is coarsely wrinkled in a 

 concentric direction, slightly glossy, and destitute of all 

 painting or variation of tint upon its surface. The younger 

 shells have their cuticle of a deep yellow, or fulvous cast, 

 changing into chestnut in front and towards the hinder 

 dorsal area : intermediate gradations are of an uniform fawn 

 colour. The profundity of the valves varies greatly, as is 

 usual in the genus, at different portions ; the central area, 

 or that which runs diagonally from the beaks to the hinder 

 termination of the shell, is rather broadly elevated (not 

 carinated) near the umbones, but greatly diminishes in con- 

 vexity below. This elevation is preceded by a broad, but 

 very shallow, groove-like space, before which, the surface 



