76 ASTAHTE. 



lophora Dioica, Bl. Consisting of spiral univalves, which have no 

 notch or canal at the anterior part of the aperture. This order 

 is divided into the families Goniosomata, Cricosomata, EUipsos- 

 tomata, Hemicyclostomata, and Oxystomata. 



ASPEEGILLUM. Lam. (From dspergo, to sprinkle.) Fam. 

 Tuhicolse, Lam. Pyloridea, Bl. — Bescr. The smaU, equal, equi- 

 lateral valves are cemented into, so as to form part of, a large 

 tube ; the umbones are slightly prominent outside. The tube 

 is elongated, rather irregular, granulated with sandy particles, 

 and terminated at the base by a convex disc, which is perforated 

 by small pores, elongated into tubes round the edge, presenting 

 a resemblance to the spout of a watering pot, whence the name 

 is derived. Loc. N"ew Holland, Java, New Zealand, Bed Sea. 

 Aspergillum Yaginiferum. PL ii. fig. 44. 



ASSIMIISTEA. Leach, 1819. Fam. Turbinacea, Jjom.— Bescr. 

 Inclining to oval, light, thin, covered with a horny epidermis, 

 spire produced into an acute pyramid; whorls slightly angulated 

 in the centre, rounded beneath ; aperture elliptical, slightly 

 modified by the last whorl ; inner lip planed ; outer lip thin ; 

 operculum horny, subspiral. Pound in brackish water; one 

 species maybe procured abundantly on the muddy shores of the 

 Thames, in Kent. There are also species from Calcutta, China, 

 Tahiti, and Australia. "Without comparing the animals, it is 

 difficult to distinguish this genus from some species of Litto- 

 rina. A. Grrayana. PI. xvi. fig. 363. 



ASTACOLUS. Montf. A genus of microscopic Foraminifera. 

 Ceistellaeia Crepidula, Lam. 



ASTABTE. J. Sowerby, 1816. (Name of a Sidonian goddess, 

 Ashtaroth in Scripture.) Fam. Nymphacea, Lam. Grenus Cras- 

 sina. Lam. — Bescr. Suborbicular, equivalve, inequilateral, thick, 

 compressed ; hinge with two solid diverging teeth in the right 

 valve, one tooth and a slight posterior elevation in the left ; 

 muscular impressions, two in each valve, uniform, united by a 

 simple palleal impression; ligament external. — Obs. This genus 

 differs from Venus, Cythersea, &c. in not having a posterior 

 sinus in the impression of the mantle. The hinge also difiers in 



