[ o 
Phelas penetrates that and other folid fubftances like- 
syife, and fo do various other fhell-fifli. Therefore, 
as all fubjedis, in natural hiflory, fhould have fome 
precifion in the appellations which diftinguifh them 
from each other, the bed: and mod clear method of 
giving names to them, is certainly to call them after 
lome ftriking character proper to them fpecifically : 
and, therefore, I have ventured to give this fpecies 
the above title, viz. Pholas ConoideSy being very dif- 
ferent in its form, from the oblong, the broad, the 
pointed, the cilindrlcal, and every other Pholas I have 
feen. And a5 the figure given by Rumphius is fo 
imperfedf, and this name fo general, it was neceflary 
to give an accurate account, as well as an exaft re- 
prel'entation of fo curious a fpecics j and, therefore, I 
drew it in four views, and fhall deferibe it as follows : 
If we obferve this fpccimen, as it is intire, it will 
appear to confift of two great valves, an ante- 
riour long piece, a pofteriour long piece, and an or- 
bicular detach’d piece at the end of this, at that ex- 
tremity which may be called the bafe of the Cone, 
Thefe make but five pieces to compleat the whole, 
unlefs the white fmooth parts, at the broad ends of 
the great valves, are accounted feparate pieces, which 
they really are not, but abfolute portions of the 
fame valves ; and, as to the circular piece on the 
back, it appears to me to be intire, and not divided 
into twoj if it may be counted two, then the whole 
would confift of fix pieces, according to Monf. 
de la Faille's opinion, who feems fond of that num- 
ber in the Pholades. 
It is an inch and half long, and three quarters of 
gn inch thick at the bafe j and this appears to be its 
utmoft 
