BIVALVIA. 13 



point or umbo of the shell, and advances with the increase of the animal, apparently 

 in an opposite direction to that of the Dimyaria, the additions being made in a some- 

 what sloping, direction inclining towards the anterior side, the successive advance is 

 denoted by the lines of increase, as the fresh layers of calcareous matter are deposited 

 by the animal, most distinctly visible in this ligamental area, which may be called 

 tripartite. 



The general substance of the shells of this genus is thick, though they are ex- 

 ceedingly variable in that character, some specimens of the common Oyster possess a 

 solidity of nearly an inch, while others, quite as large, have not a fourth of that 

 thickness. 



This is a Marine genus, though many are inhabitants of estuaries, and some will 

 live where the water, at low tide, is not very salt. Its presence, in any formation, is 

 considered to be indicative of its marine nature ; none have yet been found as true 

 inhabitants of freshwater. It is a genus of great antiquity, species having been 

 figured from various secondary formations from the lias to the chalk, while some 

 were natives of the Seas during the Eocene Period, all of which have become extinct. 



1. Ostrea edulis, Linnaus. Tab. II, fig. 1, a — c. 



Ostrea. Lister. Hist. Conch., lib. iii, fig. 30, A, and fig. 31, 1687. 



— Knorr. Delices des Yeux, pi. 24**, fig. 2, and pi. 25**, fig. 2, 1766. 



— edulis. Linn. Syst. Nat, ed. 12,' p. 1148, No. 211, 1767. 



— — Poli. Test. Sicil., vol. ii, p. 169, t. 29, fig. 1, 1795. 



— — Mont. Test. Brit., p. 151, 1803. 



_ _ Broc. Conch. Foss. Subap., p. 562, 1814. 



— — G. B. Sowerby. Genera, No. 6, fig. 1. 



— — De Blainv. Man. Malac, pi. 60, fig. 1, 1825. 



— — Crouch. Int. Lam. Conch., pi. 12, fig. 8, 1827- 



— — Gold/. Pet. Germ., vol. ii, p. 19, t. 78, fig. 4, a—h. 

 — — S. Wood. Catalogue, 1840. 



— — G. Sow., Jr. Conch. Man., fig. 180, 1842. 



— — Phil. En. Moll. Sic, vol. i, p. 90 ; vol. ii, p. 64. 



— — Nyst. Conch. Foss. de Beige, p. 327, pi. 31, fig. 2, a, b, and pi. 33, 



fig. 2, a', b', 1844. 



— — Loven. Ind. Moll. Scand., p. 30, 1846. 



— — Forb. and Hani. Hist. Brit. Moll., vol. ii, p. 307, pi. 54, and pi. T, 



fig. 1, 1850. 



— pseudo-edulis ? Desh. Exp. Sc. de. Moree, p. 231, pi. 5, figs. 3, 4. 



— deformis. Parkinson. Org. Rem., vol. iii, pi. 14, fig. 3, 1811. 



— — Desh. 2d ed. Lam., torn, vii, p. 229, 1835. 



— hippopus. Desh. 2d ed. Lam., torn, vii, p. 219, 1835. 



— Boblayei? Desh. Exped. Scient. de Morea, pi. 3, figs. 6, 7, 1833. 



— parasitica. Turt. Brit. Biv., p. 204, pi. 17, figs. 6, 7, 1822. 

 _ _ Flem. Brit. An., p. 392, 1828. 



_ _ Thorpe. Brit. Mar. Conch., p. 120, fig. 108, 1844. 



— denticulata? Born. Mus. Coes. Vindohon., p. 113, t. 6, figs. 9, 10, 1780. 



