New Sjpecies of MoUusca of the Genus Venus. 483 



white color, moreover, renders it distinct, as the purple tinge is 

 one of the characteristic marks of the Y. gemma. 



Doubts having arisen with some as to the Y. Manhattensis 

 being distinct from the Y. gemma, I referred the matter to Dr. 

 Gould, sending him specimens from Hell Gate and from 

 Greenport. The distinguished conchologist of Boston, with his 

 usual kindness, gave the matter his attention, and a short time 

 since wrote to me as follows. " I have examined the little 

 Venus, and am of opinion that it is distinct. It is not only 

 small, white, triangular, but the concentric striae are coarser 

 and more distant. It is not likely that so broad and uniform a 

 variation would occur in localities so near each other. Were 

 they culled from among other specimens of the ordinary 

 gemma ? I could not find one like them in a handful which I 

 have. This adds to the probability of its being distinct." 



The section of the genus Yen us to which the Y. Manhat- 

 tensis belongs, has been separated from the original genus, by 

 Mr. Deshayes, and called Gemma. Mr. Stimpson has adopted 

 this new classification in the Smithsonian check lists, by placing 

 the Y. gemma under the name of Gemma Tottenii. 



