28 BIVALVES SOLEN. 



lor, may perhaps claim admiration; but whatever beauty 

 they may possess, they are infinitely surpassed by innu- 

 merable species in the other genera of Bivalves. 



Most of the species of Solen are found covered with a 

 thin cuticle or epidermis, which, if not removed, renders 

 tlie colors beneath very obscure, and, in some instances, 

 undiscoverable. There is one species only which is said 

 to produce pearls, viz. Solen macha. 



The European and Northern Seas afford by far the 

 greatest proportion of shells of this genus. However, 

 the Indian, American, and Mediterranean seas, are by no 

 means remiss in producing their supplies also. The river 

 Tees affords one species, viz. Solen crispus. They often 

 reside among zoophites. 



SOLEN-Razor Sheath. 



*Vagina. Virens. 



*SiIiqua (Lonrj Brown R. S.) Diphos. 



*Ensis (Scimitar S.J Minimus. 



*Pellucidus. Maximus. 



*Legumen. Coarctatus. 



*Cultellus (Kidneij R. S.) Roseus. 

 Radiatus (Violet or radiated R. S.) Sanguinolentus. 



Strigilatus (Black R. S,J Striatus. 



Anatinus. Oriens. 



Macha. Occidens. 



Bullatus. *Crispus. 



]Minutus. Spengleri. 



