PLATE LXXVin. 



This very delicate and prettily marked species of the Venus 

 tribe is from Japan, and appears to be a shell entirely unknown 

 among European collectors. The only example of its kind with 

 which we are acquainted is in our own possession. This variety con- 

 stitutes one of a very extensive series of the testaceous productions 

 of Japan, such as are usually formed by the Japanese for the cabinets 

 of the curious in that country, and which was brought to Europe by 

 the late Dr. Stutzer, from whose collection we obtained it, together 

 with many other curiosities of that interesting country. The import- 

 ance of those acquisitions will be more fully appreciated when it is 

 considered with what an invincible degree of jealousy the extensive 

 territories of those people, the Japanese, is secluded from the 

 visitation of Europeans, and consequently the very limited knowledge 

 we must necessarily possess of the natural productions of that empire. 



A figure of the interior as well as exterior surface of this curious 

 shell is shewn in the upper part of the plate. 



FIG. II. 



VENUS HUMPHREYI 

 HUMPHREY'S VENUS 



Bivalve. 



generic character. 



Hinge furnished with three teeth, two near each other, the third 

 divergent from the beaks. 



