12 CEETACEOUS PELECYPODA 



In KupJi, (%r^^ark5 no shell is known to exist, but Deshayes notices, as a second 

 species of the same genus, the Sept, Mediterranea of Matheron, which has subse- 

 quently been stated to be identical with Teredo norvegica. Of the first species the 

 same author says that it only differs from Teredo by living in sand and not in wood. 

 There are two small valves present and two palettes as in Teredo. The question as 

 to the real character of S. Mediterranea and Guettard's genus ^^^f>^^^5 appears, 

 therefore, still unsettled. Deshayes in his last edition of the Paris fossils (1860, 

 vol. i, p. 107,) gives a list of the genera of the Prolabid^, but on this occasion he 

 omits the name Septaria altogether, which tends to prove that he considers it to be 

 identical with Teredo, 



Wright in his recent paper on the Tbhtididm (Trans. Lin. Soc.,Lond., vol. xxv, 

 p. 563), quotes the authority of Sir E. Home in support of the statement, that 

 in the tube of Kuphus arenarius "both valves and palettes, have been discovered." 

 The palettes of Kuphus arenarius Dr. Wright found to be very similarly formed 

 to those of a species which he obtained from Singapore, and which he described 

 under the name of Kuphus/' Mannii; it has a shell like Teredo, A very similar, or 

 probably the same, species as the last also occurs about Calcutta in the Gangetic 

 Delta, and I can confirm Dr. Wright's account in this respect. Besides this 

 I also obtained here perfect specimens of one or two species of Nausitoria, a 

 Xylotrya, and I hope also to procure good specimens of Galobates, Some interesting 

 points as regards the anatomy of these animals I trust to be able to publish 

 shortly. 



A question, which it is desirable should be settled as regards the species 

 Kuphus arenarius, is, whether it really possesses valves similar to those of Teredo, 

 or whether it has none. Judging from the species described by Wright as Kuph,? 

 Mannii, Sir E. Home's statement regarding K arenarius is, I believe, very probably 

 correct, and in such a case the necessity for a special sub-family ceases. 



The fossil genus Teredina will be noticed among the tbolabinm; thus we shall 

 retain in the sub-family terebininje only those forms which are generally known 

 under the ancient name of Teredo, Subsequent discoveries seem, however, to 

 make a sub- division of this old generic group very desirable, and, as already 

 noticed, the form and structure of the palettes, or styles, has been suggested as 

 the base of distinction. Objections have been raised against this, stating that no 

 generic importance can be attached to these palettes. It is really difficult to form a 

 very correct idea on this point. Eor my own part I do not consider it satisfactory, 

 but it is certain that the known species can be, - to some extent at least,- grouped 

 according to the form of their palettes, and, whether we call these groups genera or 

 sub-genera, is, as the greater number of naturalists will admit, of minor importance. 

 In cases like this the most convenient mode ought to be adopted. The palettes 

 protect the siphons, which are a very important part in the organisation of the animal, 

 and any changes made in the latter will probably produce a difference in the former ; 

 thiis they are in close connection with each other. The valves in the teeebininje are 

 always of the same kind, and, as already noticed, sometimes not to be distinguished 



