PLATE CXL1X. 



VENUS LACTEA. 



MILKY VENUS SHELL. 

 GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Bivalve. Hinge furnished with three teeth ; two near each other, 

 the third divergent from the beaks. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Shell Ientiform, somewhat compressed, with thick, elevated, obtuse 

 concentric striae, and slightly truncated anteriorly. 



Venus lactea : testa lentiformi sub-compressa : striis concentricis 

 crassis elevatis obtusis, antrorsum subtruncata. 



This appears to be a new and undescribed British species of Venus, 

 approaching, in some particulars, to others of the same genus found 

 on our coast, although differing in having the concentric striae or 

 ridges large, elevated, and obtusely rounded. The striae, for ex- 

 ample, in V. borealis, and V. cancellata rise in a thin membranaceous 

 ridge to an acute edge ; and the former of these seems at first sight 

 to bear a strong analogy to our shell : Venus lactea is also a 

 much thicker and heavier shell than any other resembling it, with 

 which we are acquainted. V. Exoleta has thick, but minute stria?. 



Our present species, we are informed, is found on the western 

 coast. 



