BIVALVIA. 33 
variable. Fig. 5, c, resembles O. Sparnacensis, Desh. (pl. 64, figs. 5—8.) The hinge (which 
is peculiar) is very similar, although, if that figure be correct, the muscle-mark is not so elon- 
gated as in our species. Fig. 5, 4, is, I imagine, the lower valve of a specimen belonging to 
this species, and its recurved umbo gives it the appearance of a Gryphea. None of the 
specimens in Jermyn-street possessed, that I could see, the radiations spoken of by M. 
Deshayes as distinguishing O. gryphina ; and there is no diagnosis or any remark by the 
late Professor E. Forbes, on whose authority that species is introduced (Mem. Geol. 
Survey., 1856, p. 88.) I am therefore unable to consider Gryphina as a_ British 
species. 
22. Ostrea veLATA, S. Wood. Tab. VII, fig. 1, a, d. 
Spec. Char. Testd ovato-trigond, sub-obliqud ; ared cardinali latd, incurva ; valvd 
inferiore lamellata ; lamellis subregularibus, fimbriosis ; valvd superiore planulatd, striata ; 
striis magnis, undulatis. 
Shell ovately trigonal, somewhat oblique ; cardinal area rather broad, incurved ; inferior 
valve Jamellated, the lamellz in general regular, fimbriated, or projecting ; upper valve 
flattened and striated, striae large and undulating. 
Diameter, 2 inches. 
Localities. Colwell Bay (Zdwards), Whitecliffe Bay (Prestwich). 
This is rather a pretty looking shell, and does not appear at all rare. Its great 
peculiarity consists in being striated upon the upper valve. ‘The striation in our specimens 
exists only in the outer coating of the upper valve; this coating is sometimes entirely 
removed, and is seldom seen except in patches. I thought at one time it might have 
belonged to coch/earia, and that the French specimens had lost this outer cuticle; but 
there are no “obscure plications” in the lower valve, which the French fossil is said to 
possess, but it is regularly lamellated or fimbriated. I have, therefore, with reluctance 
felt compelled to give it anew name. The upper valve of this species, much distorted, I 
found, many years ago, in the small patch of marine shells which intervenes between the 
fresh-water deposits on the Hampshire Coast, at Hordwell. 0. cochlear, Poli, is a recent 
species, and is quite distinct. O. cochlear., Nyst (p. 330, pl. 32, fig. 2), which he gives as a 
fossil from Hoesselt and Lethen, in the Limburg, appears from figure and description, to be 
different from any oyster that I have seen from the older Tertiaries of England. 
Cochlearia is a name attached to several specimens of Osfrea in the Museum in Jermyn- 
street; but these specimens appear to me to belong either to Vectensis or to this species. 
In the second part of ‘ Coq. Foss. des Env. de Paris,’ t. 2, p. 114, the author considers his 
former species of O. cochiearia as a variety of O. cyathula. 
5 5) 
