NUCULA. 219 



dark grey linear rays. The shape is more triangular, 

 being less blunt likewise at the hinder termination. The 

 anterior edge is less sinuous, and more abrupt, the lunule 

 not being so projecting ; and the front basal angulation is 

 much more sharply denned. The slope of the hinder 

 margin is also more considerable, and the posterior rise of 

 the ventral edge more sudden. The valves are thinner ; 

 the hinge-margin less broad, and the teeth are not ordina- 

 rily quite so produced : the cartilage support, for the most 

 part, does not project so far inward, but is more oblique. 

 The dimensions are very slightly less than in the species 

 with which we have been comparing it. 



No distinctions have as yet been detected between the 

 animal of this and the last species. 



Everywhere on the south coast, always in shallow water 

 in sand(S.H.); Dartmouth, in twenty-seven fathoms, sand, 

 eight miles from shore (M'Andrew and E. F.); Oxwich 

 Bay, near Swansea, in sand at low-water mark, Fishguard 

 and Manorbeer (Jeffreys) ; Lundy Island, in seven to 

 twenty-eight fathoms (M'Andrew); Tenby (S.H.); Scar- 

 borough (Bean); on the Northumberland and Durham 

 coasts, in deepish water and throAvn up in sand, rather 

 rare (Alder). In many localities of the Hebrides (Jeffreys, 

 Barlee). Var. " erosa" Jeffreys, at Oban. Dealvoe, 

 Zetland (Jeffreys); Moray Firth, in thirty- four fathoms 

 (M'Andrew); Dundalk, Portmarnock, and Youghal, in 

 Ireland (W. Thompson). Off Cape Clear, in thirty 

 fathoms (M'Andrew). 



Lovcn records this species as an inhabitant of the shores 

 of Sweden. 



