PANOP^A. 177 



indented beneath the tooth. In addition, there is a re- 

 markably elevated nymphal callosity just under the liga- 

 ment, to which indeed it serves as a support. One of 

 the larger examples measures three inches and a half in 

 length, and rather more than two and a quarter in 

 breadth. The hinge margin is often obsoletely and 

 minutely denticulated within. 



The following graphic account of Mr. Bean's discovery 

 of this extremely scarce species is extracted from the 

 " Magazine of Natural History," wherein the shell was first 

 actually published as a native of our seas, although under 

 the erroneous impression that it was the Panoptca which 

 had been previously figured by Donovan : — " We have 

 obtained at Scarborough three specimens of this, in every 

 sense of the word, gigantic prize. To some of the fisher- 

 men of our coast it appeared to be well known by the 

 name of the ''hacca-hox, from a fancied resemblance to one 

 of their most useful household gods. They were all caught 

 by the hook, and rescued from destruction in a singular 

 manner. The first, from which our figure was taken, was 

 destined for a tobacco-box ; the second had the honour 

 of holding the grease belonging to the boat establishment ; 

 and the third, after amusing them (the members of a phi- 

 losophical society) by squirting water to the ceiling, was 

 at last seen by a learned friend, purchased for a trifle, and 

 generously placed in our cabinet. The animal we have 

 not seen, but its colour is black." Three additional 

 individuals have since then been obtained by Mr. Bean 

 from the same locality, and two single valves have been 

 dredged by Mr. M 'Andrew in ninety fathoms water, 

 twenty-five miles east of Zetland. It is likewise captured, 

 though very rarely, in deep water off the Northumberland 

 and Durham coasts (Alder). 



VOL. I. A A 



