570 
46. 
47, 
49, 
51. 
52. 
54. 
59. 
REPORT—1863. 
longer, and in the purple colour. This, however, in the figured speci- 
men, has been brought-out by the free use of acid, and the markings have 
been considerably obliterated by the “ beautifying ” process. | 
. Venus simillima, Sby. San Diego, Cal. ‘“Resembles V. compta in detail of 
sculpture’ [but perfectly distinct, belonging to the amathusia group. 
It shows the evil of the very brief diagnoses of the earlier conchologists 
that so discriminating an author as Mr. Conrad should have taken this 
shell for the V. Californiensis, Brod.; and, quoting it (Japsu) as V. Cali- 
forniana, yvedescribed the true V. Californiensis as V. Nuttall. It is 
known by the great closeness of the fine sharp ribs. | 
Venus =crenulata, no. 33, very distinct var. Gulf Cal.; more globose, interior 
purple rose. [This was sent as “Cape St. Lucas, Xantus.” It appears 
truly distinct from the W. I. crenulata, and to be the normal form 
of which pulicaria, no. 26, is an extreme var. Inside, and outside in 
the adolescent state, they agree exactly; differing outside, in the adult, 
in smoothed-off ribs and more distinct \-markings. Mr. Reeve, however, 
still thinks it more like crenifera. It may stand as “? var. Lilacina.” | 
Venus gibbosula, Desh., MS. in Mus. Cum. Hab. ?— [Guaymas:= V. Cortezi, 
Sloat. This is the more rounded and porcellanous form of V. fluctifraga, 
= V. Nuttalli of Brit. Assoc. Report, and Nuttallian paper in P. Z. 8. 
1856, p.21; but not the true V. Nedtalli, Conr., v. infra, no. 49. Interior 
margin very finely crenated on both sides of the hinge. | 
. Venus compta, Brod. Bay of Sechura, Peru, coarse sand and mud, 7 fms., 
Cuming. {This rare species seems to represent V. Californiensis in the 
South American fauna. It is well distinguished by its shouldered form, 
produced ventrally, and by the Circoid pallial line, far removed from the 
margin. Guacomayo, Mus. Smiths. | 
Venus Nuttalli, Cony. California. [Named from type, teste Conr. ips., v. 
antea, p. 526. This is the dull northern form of V. succincta, as flucti- 
fraga is of gibbosula, the species appearing nearly in the same parallels in 
the Gulf and on the Pacific coast, but not found in the Liverpool Reigen 
Col.; nor at Cape St. Lucas. In all essential characters, Nuttall (though 
ointed) and Californiensis (though rounded) appear the same; but Mr. 
ees still thinks otherwise. The figured specimen has been altered with 
acid. The V. excavata is not noticed by Mr. R. | 
Venus mundulus, Rve. Hab. ?— [This shell was obtained by Dr. Stimpson 
in the N. P. Expl. Exp., and bears the Smiths. Cat. number “1845. San 
Francisco, very common at low water,” = Tapes diversa, Shy. jun. This 
is the highly painted, finely sculptured state of 7. staminea, Cony. (not 
“ T. straminea, Cony.” Sby.,= T. grata, var.) The abnormally ridged form 
is V. ruderata, Desh. Conch. Ic. sp. 130. By its large pallial sinus and 
bifid teeth it is a true Tapes. | 
Venus intersecta, Sby. Puerto Puero [? Portrero], Centr. Am., Cuming. 
The shell is exactly identical with no. 19, asperrima=cardioides ; but the 
gure might mislead, the colour-lines appearing as ribs. | 
Venus subrostrata, Lam.* vi. p. 343, = V. neglecta, [Gray] Sby. Hab. Mazatlan 
and West Indies. “ Lam. having cited a figure of the China species, V. La- 
marehii, the species was lost sight of till Sby. renamed it.” [The Zamarck- 
ian species was probably West Indian. V. neglecta closely resembles 
the young of V. Californiensis, but has the ligamental area smooth only 
on one valve, instead of both. | 
Venus Stutchburyi (Gray), Wood, Sandwich Is. Comes very near to the 
Californian V. callosa, [Sby., non] Conr., of which specimens have been 
found also at the Sandwich Is. [V. Stutchburyi is the New Zealand 
species, which may easily be confounded with the Californian. Although 
both may be obtained at the Sandwich Is., there is no evidence that either 
* In critical species, when it is impossible to be positive which of two or more was 
intended by an old author, it appears best to retain the name of the first diseriminator. 
The old name belongs to the general form: the discriminator ought to retain it for a 
part; 
but if that has not been done, it avoids confusion to drop it. 
