51 
T E L UNA, 
A. Ovate and thickish. (Plate V. Fig. 2.) 
B. Ovate compressed. (Fig. 3.) 
C. Suborbicular. (Fig. 4.) 
Shell compressed towards the anterior slope, and 
often bent. Teeth of the hinge mostly three ; 
lateral teeth plain, or not existing, in one of the 
valves. (Fig. 1.) 
The beaks are very short, and usually lean to- 
wards the ligament, which is large, and covers the 
prominent margin of the suture. 
It is difficult to beginners in the science of Con- 
chology to discriminate between the genera Tel- 
lina and Venus. In the forms of the shells, one 
genus much resembles the other ; and the teeth 
of some small species are not distinct to an inex- 
perienced eye. The difference will therefore best 
be learnt by observing principally the inclination 
of the beaks : if they at all tend towards the liga- 
ment, the shell will belong to the genus Telima ; 
also, if any remote lateral teeth be discernible. 
