308 YENTTS. 



VELATES, Montf. Neritina perversa, Auct. PI. xv. fig. 326. 



VELLETIA. Gray ? A genus described as differing from Akcy- 

 Lus in being dextral. Velletia lacustris, Anctlus lacustris, 

 Auct. Sowerby Gen. fig. 2. 



VELUTINA. Eleming, 1822. Fam. Macrostomata, JjSim.—Bescr. 

 Sub-globose, covered witb a velvety epidermis ; spire short, 

 composed of two rapidly enlarged ventricose wborls ; aperture 

 large, sub-ovate ; peritreme thin, entire, separated from the last 

 whorl; columella tortuous, thin. — Obs. This shell does not 

 resemble any other genus in the family. Northern Seas. PI. 

 XV. fig. 337. 



VENEEICAEDIA. Lam. A genus composed of the shorter 

 species of Cardita. PI. vi. fig. 121. 



YENEEIEUPIS. Lam. (Erom Venus and rupis, a rock.) 

 The oblong species of Venus Auct. which live in cavities of 

 rocks and stones. This genus is united by Sowerby with some 

 other species of Venus under the name Pullastra. V. Vulgaris, 

 PI. iv. fig. 97. 



VENTEAL, {Venter, the beUy.) The margin of a bivalve 

 shell opposite the hinge. The under valve in Braehiopodous 

 bivalves is the ventral valve. The ventral surface of an ^uni- 

 valve spiral shell is that which faces the observer when the 

 aperture is placed towards him. The ventral part of the 

 whorls of symmetrical convolute shells, is the inner part, that 

 which is nearest to the spire. 



VENTEAL SIPHON. In symmetrical convolute univales, is 

 one placed near the inner edge of the whorls. 



VENTEICOSE. (Ventricosus.) Swelled, rounded out, (bombi 

 Fr.) as Harpa ventricosa, fig. 419. 



VENUS. Auct. (Goddess of Beauty.) (Dosina, Gray.) Fam. 

 Mariae Conchacea, Lam. Conchacea, Bl. — Descr. Equivalve, 

 inequilateral, sub-globose, sub-ovate, transverse, externally 

 rugose, striated, ribbed, cancellated or smooth ; margins 

 entire, simple, close ; hinge with three more or less distinct 

 cardinal teeth, diverging from the umbones in each valve ; 

 muscular impressions two, lateral, distant ; paUeal impressions 

 sinuated posteriorly ; ligament external. — Obs. This extensive 



