Tertiary. | PALAONTOLOGY OF VICTORIA. [ Mollusca, 
Priate LVI. 
CARDIUM GIPPSLANDICUM (McCoy). 
[Genus CARDIUM (Li.). (Sub-kingd. Mollusca. Class Lamellibranchiata. Order 
Ishedrolotila, Fam. Cardiade.) 
Gen, Char.—Shell sub-cordate ; margins close or gaping anteriorly and posteriorly ; cardinal 
teeth, 2, 1, or absent ; lateral teeth, one anterior and one posterior, or absent, Marine. Range 
in time from Paleozoic to Recent. 
The surface is usually costate, radiatingly, but in the section Protocardium the radiating 
ridges are only distinct on the posterior slope, and there is a slight sinus in the pallial scar. ] 
DescripTion.—Rotundato-quadrate, slightly oblique, ventral margin very con- 
vex, gradually curving to the obtusely rounded cardinal angles; moderately convex, 
greatest depth about the middle; beaks large, tumid, slightly obliqne; about 36 sub- 
equal, rounded, large radiating ridges, separated by narrow sulci, about as wide as 
the ridges; the anterior and posterior sides close to the hinge-line flattened and 
smooth ; whole surface slightly marked with fine close concentric strie of growth. 
Greatest length and depth nearly equal, 3} inches in large specimens; the depth 
cannot be accurately given owing to the irregular compression of the specimens. 
This striking fossil was first made known to me by the discovery 
of the large specimen, figured in the upper part of our plate, in the 
Mount Matlock flags by Mr. N. Lepoidivil, who presented it to the 
public collection. I have cleared several specimens carefully in 
search of hinge-teeth, and believe them to be absent. Although not 
quite satisfied with the generic reference to Cardium, still it is con- 
generic with the previously described Upper Silurian Cardiums, 
and is not more allied to any other genus, nor does it show any 
character incompatible with a generic affinity with the living 
edentulous species of Cardium. 
In the black Upper Silurian flags of Mount Matlock ; common 
in the yellowish and pinkish earthy beds of Upper Silurian, 4 miles 
above Starvation Creek ; common in the blackish soft Upper 
Silurian flags of Russell’s Creek, Gippsland. 
EXPLANATION OF FIGURES, 
Plate LVI.—Fig. 1, large specimen, natural size, from Mount Matlock. Fig. la, apex of 
beak and hinge-line of same. Fig. 2, another specimen from near Starvation Creek. Fig. 2a, 
beak and hinge-line of same specimen seen from the back. 
Freperick McCoy. 
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