227 
Venus alveata, Conrad. Journ. Acad. Nat Sci., vol. 6^ p. 
2U,pl. 11, fig. 14, 15. 
Venus paphia ? Lam. Anim. Sans. Vert., vol. 5,^. 608. 
Ohs. For an opportunity of examining this interesting species I 
am indebted to Dr. Ravenel, who informs me that he obtained it 
on Sullivan’s Island, near Charleston, S. C. It differs from V. 
paphia, Linn., in not having the ribs abruptly smaller before they 
reach the anterior slope ] and it does not agree with the figure in 
the Encyc. Meth. of V. faseiata. Although probably recent, the 
specimen has very much the appearance of a fossil, and this cir- 
cumstance, combined with its character, leads me to believe that 
it is the V. paphia, Lam., but certainly not that of Linne. PI. 63. 
Having examined the specimens sent to Mr. Say, I find them to be 
fossil shells. The species is characteristic of the Older Pliocene forma- 
tion, and occurs at Wilmington, N. C. ; St. Mary’s river, Maryland ; and 
City Point, Virginia. — Ed.* 
Tellina brevierons. — Specific character. Ovate, white, 
tinged with yellowish ', anterior side very short. 
Desc. Shell thin and fragile, not very convex, white, tinged, 
particularly on the umbo, with pale dull fulvous ; with transverse 
slender strim, and, in a particular light, obsolete longitudinal striae 
are visible ; beaks much anterior to the middle, forming an angle 
in consequence of the anterior and posterior hinge margins being 
rectilinear to a considerable distance, the latter parallel to the 
base ) anterior side short and abrupt, rounded at tip, and with a 
submarginal undulation ; posterior side more than as long again as 
the anterior, rounded at tip ; within much more deeply colored 
with fulvous ', cardinal teeth, two in the left valve and one in the 
right valve ‘, lateral teeth none. 
Ohs. Inhabits the coast of South Carolina. 
The outline of this shell corresponds with T. donacina, Lin., 
but is more convex, and not radiated with reddish. Dr. Kavenel 
informs me that it is very rare. He obtained but a single speci- 
men, which he obligingly sent to me for examination. It also re- 
sembles T. decora. Say, and may readily be mistaken for it, but is 
altogether destitute of oblique striae and rosaceous radiations. PI. 
64, fig. I. 
*[T. A. Conrad.] 
