84 AMERICAN JOURNAL 



We have very carefully studied the species of Vnio, des- 

 crihed by Bafinesque, and find that the descrijitiovs audfigtires 

 will not authorize the identifications attempted by some of our 

 conchologists. As mere surmises, they are probably correct, 

 but there are by no means sufficient grounds for the adoption 

 of his names. In our opinion, Mr. Lea, in his " Synopsis," 

 has allowed to Eafinesque even more species than he is enti- 

 tled to: — we can only identify metanevra, as a species entitled 

 to priority, although two synonyms of Lamarck's species can 

 be recognized easily. 



We will not review Rafinesque's marine genera and species ; 

 a number of them have been universally adopted. 



We perceive throughout these papers the evidence of our 

 author's extraordinary genius for classification, and, we may 

 add, for description also, and yet are continually made aware 

 of his ill-balanced mind, his carelessness and haste, his poverty, 

 and his pride. 



Several passages like the following, occur : — 



"Since 1820, several American Conchologists have attempted 

 to notice, describe, or figure these shells; Barnes, in 1823, Lea, 

 Say, and Eaton, later still. They had a fine field before them, 

 in elucidating them by good figures, and describing the new 

 kinds, but led astray, by various motives, they have neglected 

 to verify, or properly notice my previous labors, althoiigh they 

 were known to them. Mr. Say is, above all, inexcusable. I had 

 respectfully noticed, in 1820, his previous labors ; but he has 

 never mentioned mine, and knows so little of the animals of 

 these shells, as to have mistaken their mouth for their tail, and 

 their anterior for the posterior part of the shells! 



If he had seen these animals alive, feeding, moving, and 

 watched their habits as I have done repeatedly, he would not 

 have fallen into such a blunder. The mouth is always near 

 the cardinal tooth, and the lamellar tooth is to the right of it in 

 the right valve, to the left in the left valve. — Others pretend 

 that my monograph is too intricate ; it is the subject which is 

 such ; whenever many species belong to a tribe, many divisions 

 and sections are needed to elucidate and isolate the species. 

 All the great naturalists know and do this. 



The works wherein their erroneous labors are found cost 

 above $100 ! (mine only 50 cents.) This has put it out of my 

 power, as yet, to verify all their mistaken and synonymous 

 names. 



The volume we have reviewed, is worthy of attentive study, 

 and should have a place in the library of every student of the 

 Sciences of Conchology and Palaeontology. 



