COlTCinFEBA. 



899 



being of tlie same size and shape, except in the Ostreidce and 

 a few others. In Ostrea, Pandora, and Lyonsia, the right valve 

 is smallest ; in Chamostrea and Corhida, the left ; whilst the 

 Chamacece follow no rule in this respect. 

 The bivalves are all more or less inequilctferal, the anterior 



Dorsal Margin. 



Pnaterior 

 side. 



\ Anterior 

 J;~ i^ side. 



Ventral margin or base. 



Tig. 209. Vnio pictontm, L. (original), with the right valve and mantle-lobe removed ; 

 a, a, adductor muscles ; p, p, pedal muscles ; x, accessory pedal muscle ; u, lunbo ; 

 I, ligament ; b, branchial orifice ; v, anal opening ; /, foot ; o, moutli ; t, palpi, 



being usually much shorter than the posterior side, Pedunculua 

 is nearly equilateral, and in Glydmeris and Solemya the anterior 

 is much longer than the posterior side. The front of the 

 smaller Pectens is shown by the byssal notch ; but in the large 

 scallops, oysters and Spondyli, the only indication of the posi- 

 tion of the animal is afforded by the large internal muscular 

 impression, which is on the posterior side. The ligament is 

 sometimes between the umbones, but is never anterior to them. 

 The siplional irnpression, inside the shell, is always posterior. 



Bivalves are said to be dose, when the valves fit accurately, 

 and gaping, when they cannot be completely shut. In Gastro- 

 chcBna (PI. XXIII., Fig. 15), the opening is anterior, and serves 

 for the passage of the foot ; in Aiya it is posterior and siphon al ; 

 in Solen and Olycimeris both ends are open. In Bysso-arca 

 (PI. XYII., Pig. 13), there is a ventral opening formed by 

 corresponding notches in the margin of the valves, which serves 

 for the passage of the byssus ; in Pecten, Avicida, and Anomia 

 (Fig. 211, s), the byssal notch (or sinus) is confined to the right 

 valve. 



The surface of bivalve shells is often ornamented with ribs 

 which radiate from the umbones to the margin, or with con- 

 centric ridges, which coincide with the lines of growth. Some- 

 times the sculpturing is oblique, or wavy ; in Tellina fahula 

 it is confined to the right valve. In many species of Pholas, 



