FAMILY TELLINIDZ — TELLINA. 209 
TELLINA TENERA. 
PLATE XXVI. FIG. 271. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Tellina tenera. Say, Journ, Acad. Nat. Sciences, Vol. 2, p. 303. 
Tre id. Goutp, Invertebrata of Mass. p. 68, fig. 44. 
Description. Shell very thin and fragile, pellucid, compressed, transversely oblong, suboval. 
Surface with delicate concentric wrinkles, caused by the lines of growth. Beaks placed 
slightly anteriorly : marginal folds distinct; basal margin slightly arcuated.. The anterior 
cardinal tooth in the left valve largest; the other often indistinct; the chief tooth in each 
valve grooved : lateral tooth on the longest side distinct ; the others very indistinct. 
Color. White, iridescent, occasionally with a pinkish or rosaceous hue. 
Vertical axis, 0°35; transverse ditto, 0°55. Diameter, 0°1. 
This beautiful little shell occurs on our coast, from the shores of New-Jersey northwardly. 
On the coast of Massachusetts, it is very common. 
TTELLINA VERSICOLOR. 
PLATE XXVI. FIG. 172. 
T. versicolor. CozzENs, Jay’s Catalogue of Shells, Ed. alt. p. 15. 
Description. Shell transverse, compressed, inequilateral, equivalve, slightly gaping at its 
subacute extremity. Incremental strie evident, but not laminz, and no radiating strie: the 
posterior end subangular, with an indistinct fold; anterior extremity dilated and rounded. 
Cardinal teeth two in the right valve ; the posterior more robust, simple : in the left valve, 
rudimentary or inconspicuous. 
Color. Polished, opalescent, white, with a distinct purple and bluish iridescence, often 
strongly radiated, enlarging towards the margins. 
Vertical axis, 0°4; transverse ditto, 0°65. Diameter, 0°2. 
This shell, which is of extreme beauty, and often very brilliant, was first detected by Mr. I. 
Cozzens on the shores of the Hudson at Glass-house point, a few miles above the city. In 
its comparative proportions, teeth and color, it varies distinctly from T. sordida, with which 
it is otherwise allied. It resembles very much the description of T. aris, except in wanting 
the oblique striz ; but I have had no opportunity of making a direct comparison of the shells. 
Fauna — Part 6. 27 
