278 



POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



Solenomya. Lam. — Shell and animal fully described in 

 the account of the family. — 4 species ; also fossil. 



These curious shells are from New Zealand, 

 New Holland, the United States, and the 

 Mediterranean ; found in the sand. The brown 

 shining epidermis projecting beyond the edge, 

 and there torn into strips, easily distinguishes 

 this shell ; the author has received good specimens 

 from New Zealand. 



Solenomya 

 Mediterrcmea. 



Family 16.— ARC ACE A. 



The animal has the edge of the mantle separated in its 

 entire length; the gills are divided into clear, solitary, 

 threads or filaments. The shell is mostly e qui valve, in- 

 equilateral, covered with a scaly or hairy epidermis ; the 

 hinge has numerous teeth set in a row. They are found 

 principally in the seas of the torrid zone. 



A rca. Lin . — Shell transverse, most frequently equi- 



Arca Pacijica. 



valve, more or less inequilateral, valves radiately ribbed, 

 and some species gaping at the lower part ; hinge straight ; 

 teeth small and very numerous; bosses prominent and 

 distant, and often a little recurved ; ligament external, 

 and attached to the space between the bosses ; an epi- 

 dermis, which is often loose and rough ; pallial impression 



