214 WEST AMERICAN SHELLS STEARNS. 



several pojnts of crossing a bead-like nodule. The sutures are distinctly 

 defined, and interrupt the longitudinal sculpture. The aperture, some- 

 what less than half the length of the shell is narrow, slightly sinused 

 and calloused above, where the outer lip joins the body whorl, suggest- 

 ive of 3fangilia, which the shell as a whole much resembles. The outer 

 lip is thickened and crenulated within; the columella is marked by four 

 obtuse, curved plaits, the posterior being the largest. The dimensions 

 of the single example in the U. S. IS^ational Museum collection (No. 

 55490), which is in good condition, are ys follows : 



Longitude of shell 10"""; of aperture 4.25"""; maximum diameter 

 3.25™™. 



Habitat. — Gulf of California, where it was collected by Mr. W. J. 

 Fisher. 



This well characterized little shell has much the same plan of sculpt- 

 ure as Mitra styria Dall, of the Antillean region (73 to 333 fms.), the 

 nodular sculpture at the points of intersection being more conspicuously 

 and uniformly developed in the form herein described. In other re- 

 spects, save generic affinity, there are no features in common in the-two 

 species. 



Order TELEODESMACEA. 



Suborder Carditacea. 

 Family Carditid^. 



Genus VENERICARDIA Lamarck. 



Venericardia barbarensis sp. no v. 



Plate XVI, Figs. 3, 4. 



Shell rounded, inequilateral, variable in outline, more or less oblique, 

 moderately convex. Beaks small, slightly elevated and turned forward. 

 Surface ornamented with nineteen to twenty radiating ribs usually some, 

 what granulose, and generally obscure on the extreme anterior and pos- 

 terior margins of the valves. Epidermis a dingy yellowish brown, 

 thicker towards the ventral margin and sides of the valves ; thin and 

 commonly eroded at or towards the umbos. Luuule small, slightly 

 sunken, faintly defined. Hinge line small, not thick; hinge composed 

 of, in the left valve, a single strong cardinal sloping posteriorly and 

 a smaller tooth often obscure, slanting anteriorly ; a third tooth-like 

 process is generally present, situated under and apparently a project- 

 ion of the edge of the lunule. This latter varies much in prominence 

 in different specimens, and is often but barely perceptible. The hinge 

 iu the right valve is characterized by a single strong cardinal tooth with 

 a slanting, somewhat sinuous groove above, and a slight notch and 

 tooth-like point below the upper part of the lunule ; this latter character 



