168 BIVALVES. 



the umbones; margin denticulated; about half 

 an inch long and nearly an inch broad. 



This is described as a British species, but it 

 is .rarely found on our coasts. It inhabits the 

 West Indies, Africa, and the Mediterranean. 



Genus VENUS (Plural, Veneres.) 



VENUS. 



Generic Character. Shell bivalve, equivalve, 

 inequilateral, closed ; shape ovate, suborbicular, 

 or subcordate ; both the area and areola are well 

 defined, the area is generally flattened, and the 

 areola has often the impression of a heart ; the 

 hinge has three approximate cardinal teeth, 

 the middle one is longitudinal , the others diverg- 

 ing, there is a lateral tooth in a few species ; 

 the beaks are turned towards the areola, that is 

 from the ligament. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE SHELL AND ITS 

 INHABITANT. 



The shells of this genus, preeminent for the 

 elegance of their form, and the beauty of their 

 colouring, have in consequence, been designated 

 by the name of the fabulous goddess of beauty. 

 The three approximate teeth, and the inclination. 



* Plate VIII. figures 7, 8. 



