The Tellen Shells. Sunset Shells. Wedge Shells 



all along the dorsal line. This is a rare white species, described 

 by Reeve, who did not know where it came from. 



T. elegans, Wood, resembles T. radiata, in its polished, 

 pink-rayed shell, but it has greater depth and roundness in its 

 ventral surface, and a peculiar "elegant twist" of the elongated 

 shell. 



Habitat. — Gulf of Mexico. 



The Rasp Tellina {T. scorbinata, Linn.) is almost circular 

 in outline, and the surface is covered with small, triangular, 

 raised scales. The general colour is yellowish, painted with large 

 regular spots of brown in a rayed arrangement. Diameter, 2 to 

 3 inches. 



Habitat. — Society and Philippine Islands. 



The Purple Tellina (7. purpurescens, Brod. and Sby.) is 

 remarkable for the deep, rich rose-purple of the shell, inside and 

 out. White, scaly granulations rise all over the surface; the 

 dorsal margin has a white border. Length, 3 inches. 



Habitat. — Central America. 



The Prince Tellina {T. princeps, Hanley) is vividly red 

 with white margins. The fine cancellations of the surface are 

 not scaly nor white. Length, 4 inches. 



Habitat. — Peru. 



Ida's Tellen (T. Idee, Dall) is a dainty white shell, with a 

 distinctly ridged fold on each side of the hinge line, posterior to 

 the umbo. The first known shell of this species was found on 

 the beach at San Pedro in 1891, by Mrs. Ida Shepard Oldroyd, 

 of Long Beach. Believing it to be new to scientists, she sent it 

 to Dr. Dall at the United States National Museum at Washington. 

 It was an "unknown." So a drawing and description of this new 

 Tellen were published in the bulletin of the Museum. Dr. Dall 

 named it in honour of the lady who found it. This is one of 

 several species of west coast shells whose existence was first dis- 

 covered by Mrs. Oldroyd. 



The individual specimen upon which a new species is " erected" 

 is called "the type." The original T. Idee is the pattern with 

 which all subsequent specimens must be compared. Though a 

 rare species, collectors about Long Beach have found several of 

 them. 



The Muddy Tellen (T. lutea. Gray) is from the Behring 

 Sea. Its oval shell is angled at the boundary of the posterior 



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