MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS 



MERGE. 



Fam. Veneridte. 



Char. Gen. Testa requivalva, insequilatera, subovali-cuneiforruis, 

 lajvis, solida, epidermide tenui induta, postice subangulata, antice 

 rotundata ; margine ventrali interne denticulate- ; ligamento in 

 aream excavatam inserto ; lunula antica distinctii, clongata, im- 

 pressa ; cardine dentibus tribus cardinalibus et uuo elongato 

 laterali antico in utraque valva; irnpressionibus rauscularibus 

 duabus lateralibus ; impressione pallii sinu rotundato. 



The deep excavation of the hinder part of the dorsal edge, in 

 which the ligament is placed, and the obtuse wedge-like form, 

 seems to separate this genus quite naturally from Cjjtheraa. 



1. Meroe picta (pi. exxvi. f. 1, 2), Schum. Venus Meroe, 

 Linuteus. Donax Meroe, Lamarck. 



M. testa omnino planulatirn costata, antice elongata, postice 

 angulo subacuto ; colore intiis violaceo, extus purpureo, vel lineis 

 acutangulai*ibus purpureis ornato. 



Elatly ribbed all over, the hinder side the shorter ; angle of the 

 outline rather acute ; the ventral edge not particularly bulged ; 

 variable in colour, generally with broad purple angular lines on a 

 pale ground. 



Philippines. //. Cuming. 



2. Meroe effossa (pi. exxvi. f. 11, 12). Hanley, Pro. Zool. 

 Soc. 1832; Recent Shells, p. 199; Wood's Supplement, pi. 15. 

 f. 18. 



M. testa omnino costis elevatis rotundatis cincta, antice brevius- 

 cula, rotundatim angustata, postice angulo obtuso ; colore pallido, 

 lineis fuscis angulatim scripto, intus albido, versus apicem roseo 

 tincto. 



In this species the ribs are rounded and elevated, the anterior 



4 K 



