152 
^itute of striae on tlie labium and the spiral canal is completely 
filled up. From Terebellum, to wbicb it is also allied, it may be 
distinguisbed by tbe striated labium and columella, and tbe elevated 
band at tbe base of tbe body wborl, and from Mitra and Voluta 
by tbe canaliculated suture. 
Oliva liter at a, Lam. — Specific character. Shell with nu- 
merous angulated brownish lines and two bands of chestnut-brown 
ones. 
Oliva literataj Lam. Am. du Mus.y vol. xvi.j p. 315 ; and 
Anim. sans Vertehr., vol. 425. 
Oliva. Encycl. Meth., pi. 362, y?y. 1, a, h. 
Desc. Shell with a pale yellowish-white ground color, thickly 
covered with cinereous-rufous angulated lines, leaving distinct tri- 
angles of the ground color ; on each side of the middle is a broad 
band, occasioned by the angulated lines being there of a deeper or 
chestnut-brown color ; the angulated lines at the upper edge of 
the volutions are fasciculated and of the same color of the bands. 
Ohs. We are far from being certain that this is absolutely the 
literata of Lamarck, although it agrees perfectly, except in being 
smaller, with the figures above quoted, to which he refers. He 
supposed his specimens to be native^! of the East Indies. However 
this may be, and although we formerly described it under another 
name, we think it more prudent to consider it as indicated by 
Lamarck’s description and the figures of the Encyc. Methodique. 
It is rather common on our Southern coast. PL 3. 
Unio. — Shell unattached, generally transverse, equivalved, ine- 
quilateral ; cardinal teeth one in each valve, irregular, generally 
striated, simple or biparted ; an elongated lamelliform tooth on the 
anterior hinge margin of the left valve, and two similar teeth on 
the corresponding margin of the right valve ; muscular impressions 
two principal ones; ligament exterior. 
Ohs. In North America the shells of this genus excel those of 
any other country in magnitude, beauty and diversity of species. 
They are altogether inhabitants of fresh water, and we have hardly 
a rivulet in the Union in which they are not to be found. Many 
of them are of a beautiful perlaceous color and consistence, and we 
are informed that some of the very thick ones of the Ohio, have 
been, at Pittsburgh, successfully turned into buttons and orna- 
ments. 
