166 



TELLINA 



WHITE TELLEN. 



38. Tellina alba. T. testa ovali, inaquivalvi, decussatim striata, antice 



infiexa etangulata; cardinis dente primario bifido. 

 Shell oval, with unequal valves, decussated, inflected and angular before ; 



primary tooth of the hinge bifid. 

 Chem. Conch. 6. pi. 11. f. 98. Linn. Gmel. p. 3235. No. 32. Var. j3. 



This shell is given by Gmelin as a variety only of 

 T. operculata, but it is clearly a distinct species, of a 

 different shape and colour. The T. alba, has a very 

 slight tinge of yellow ; the striae on the surface are 

 strong, and the slope, from the hinge to the beak, is 

 rather concave, than convex. The hinge has two teeth 

 in one valve, and one in the other ; the lateral teeth are 

 obsolete. Length an inch and three quarters, breadth 

 two inches and three quarters. 



First described and figured by Chemnitz. 



GLASSY TELLEN. 



39. Tellina Hyalina. T. testa ovali oblonga, inaquivahi, plana, pellu- 

 cida, glabra, subtilissime decussatim striata, margine acutissimo, car- 

 dints dentibus later alibus nullis. Linn. Gmel. p. 3235. 



Shell oblong oval, with unequal valves, flat, pellucid, and smooth, with 

 very delicate decussated striae, margin very sharp, hinge without la- 

 teral teeth. 



Chem. Conch. 6. pi. 11. f. 99. 



A very brittle, pellucid shell, perfectly white, with 

 the hinge placed towards one end ; there are two teeth 

 in one valve, and one in the other. Length an inch and 

 a quarter, breadth two inches and a quarter. 



Inhabits the Indian Ocean. Gmelin refers to Schroter, 

 Einl. in Conch. 3. p. G. No. 14. for a variety of this shell. 



