Jo Praeger — The Marine Shells 



" subfossil in 25 fathoms off Lame, Co. Antrim." As will appear subse- 

 quently, this is by no means the only northern species which has been dredged, 

 if not fossil, at least very doubtfully recent, in that locality. 



Astarte triangularis, Montagu. 



Belfast and Strangford Loughs, dredged by Mr. Hyndman — Thompson 

 (sub Goodalia triangularis). Living on the Turbot Bank — Hyndman ; and in 

 Strangford Lough and the channel adjacent— Dickie ; depth 7 to 30 fathoms, 

 sandy ground. Dead valves are abundant on the Turbot Bank. 



Circe minima, Montagu. 



Thompson's only northern locality is Belfast Bay, on the authority of Mr. 

 Hyndman (Cyprina minima). Hyndman obtained it alive twice, in 20 fathoms, 

 gravelly bottom, his stations being the Cod Bank north of the Isle of Muck, 

 and " The Riggs" bank south of the Copeland Islands, while in a dead state 

 it occurred frequently in depths ranging from 15 to 100 fathoms. Dickie 

 procured living examples off the mouth of Strangford Lough, 12-15 fathoms, 

 and dead valves further out to sea. 



Venus exoleta, Linne. 



Belfast, Strangford, and Lame Loughs — Thompson, who does not state if 

 the shell was alive in any instance. Though noted by Hyndman and Dickie 

 from almost every station (1-30 fathoms), in no case was it taken in a live 

 state. Hyndman remarks (1857 Report) that at Cultra single valves are thrown 

 up by the tide, and says, "probably still living." At the place in question, 

 fresh-looking specimens with the valves attached are frequent, and I have 

 twice picked up living examples there, and have no doubt that it lives in some 

 quantity in the vicinity. This and the following species are placed under the 

 genus Artemis by the authors quoted. 



Venus lincta, Pulteney. 



Rare in a live state, the Cod Bank north of Isle of Muck (20 fathoms), 

 "Wellstream Bay in Strangford Lough (15 fathoms), and 12-15 fathoms in the 

 open channel near the entrance of the latter, being the only stations I can 

 find. More common dead, thrown up on sandy beaches, from Magilligan in 

 Co. Derry to Newcastle in Co. Down. 



Venus fasciata, Da Costa. 



This beautiful species is of frequent occurrence throughout the district, 

 living on gravelly and sandy ground ; it has been dredged alive off Lame and 

 Belfast Lough, and in Strangford Lough and the open sea adjoining, in depths 

 varying from 7 to 30 fathoms, by Thompson, Hyndman, Dickie, and others. 



Venus Casina, Linne. 



Another handsome species, which inhabits our waters, ranging from 7 

 fathoms in Strangford Lough to 70 fathoms off the Maiden Light-houses, on 

 gravel, sand, and mud. Dead valves are plentiful on the Turbot Bank and 

 at various depths (6 to 90 fathoms), on the Antrim coast. 



