No. V. MOLLUSCA. 231 



The blackness of the epidermis in A. lactea is due, I 

 think, to the specimens having been collected when dead ; 

 for all the shells with this kind of dark epidermis are old and 

 worn, and evidently have been untenanted by the living animal 

 for some time. 



Astarte striata, Leach. 

 Hab. Franklin Pierce Bay, 1 5 fms. (Feilden and Hart). 



Astarte fabula, Eeeve. 



Hab. Dumbell Harbour and Discovery Bay (Feilden). 



This species may be recognised by the peculiar ribbing 

 near the umbones. In this region the ribs are more strongly 

 developed than on the rest of the surface of the valve, and 

 are not produced quite to the margins, so that in looking at 

 the shell with the umbones towards the eye the dorsal areas 

 appear comparatively smooth. 



? Astarte Warehami, Hancock. 



Hab. Franklin Pierce Bay, 1 3-1 5 fms., bottom stony 

 (Hart); Eichardson Bay, 80 2' N. lat., 70 fms. (Feilden). 



I do not feel quite sure of tha accuracy of the identifica- 

 tion of the specimens before me. They differ slightly in form 

 from Hancock's figure, being less elliptical by reason of the 

 anterior end being less produced ; but with regard to the ribs 

 and epidermis they agree exactly with the author's excellent 

 description the former being 'fine, close, regular,' and the 

 latter pale greenish yellow. These shells, in shape, can cer- 

 tainly be matched with some specimens of A. striata, and do 

 not appear to vary in any thing except the difference of 

 colour of the epidermis, which in the latter species is brown 

 or olive-brown. This species is considered the same as 

 A. fabula by Jeffreys. 



