THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH SHELLS, INCLUDING FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE SPECIES HITHERTO DISCOVERED IN GREAT BRITAIN, SYSTEMATICALLY ARRANGED IN THE LINNEAN MANNER, WITH SCIENTIFIC AND GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON EACH.
VOL. II.
By E. DONOVAN, F.L.S. AUTHOR OF THE NATURAL HISTORIES OF BRITISH BIRDS, INSECTS, &c. &c.
LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, No 62, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD.
BY BYE AND LAW, ST. JOHN'S SQUARE, CLERKENWELL.
1800.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve, valves equal. Teeth of the hinge numerous, and inserted between each other.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Orbicular, concave, very finely striated transversely and longitudinally, and variegated with zigzag marks. Margin crenated.
This species is found, of a large size, in the Mediterranean sea; those which inhabit the English coast, as Falmouth and Cornwall, rarely exceed the size of the smallest specimen we have represented. It is found likewise on the shores of Guernsey, and the coast of Ire⯑land, where it is called the dog's cockle.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Spiral, rough. The aperture ending in a strait, and somewhat pro⯑duced gutter, or canaliculation.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. AND SYNONYMS. Slender, white. Spires eight, swelled. Mouth oblong oval, ending in a produced or lengthened deep twirled gutter.
[]This shell is white, semitransparent, and rather glossy; and when alive is covered with a fine thin brown film, or epidermis, which is striated spirally. It is found on several of the English coasts, as Yorkshire, Northumberland, Essex, &c. and also on the shores of Scotland and Ireland.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Aperture of the mouth, contracted, and lunated.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wreaths, four, turned nearly horizontal: rather depressed or concave towards the centre.
The adult shells of this species are from three quarters of an inch, to an inch and a quarter in diameter; the colours various, generally brownish or ashen colour, inclining in some to red, in others to yellow; the young shells are whitish and more transparent.
It is very common in ponds and rivers. The animal is blackish brown, and has two red capillary horns*.
The Helix Nana, or Dwarf of Pennant, fig. 125, is considered by Da Costa and other conchologists, as a young shell of this species.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Above and beneath rather convex; back of the wreaths carinated. Deeply umbilicated.
[]This species is found in several countries of Europe. In Great Britain it seems to be a local and rather uncommon kind. Da Costa says "though found in many parts of England, is not met with in any plenty, but is scarce. I have found them on the rocks, at and near Matlock, in Derbyshire, about Bath, in Somersetshire, also on rocks; in Surrey, Wiltshire, and Hampshire, in the moss on the bodies of large trees, and in woods. Dr. Lister found them on the grass in Lincolnshire; Mr. Petiver, in hedges, between Charlton and Woolwich, in Kent*; Mr. Morton, in hedge-bottoms, in Oakly Parva, in Northamptonshire; and Mr. Wallis, on the rocks in Nor⯑thumberland: but they are not common or frequent any where." page 56.
GENERIC CHARACTER. The hinge toothless, and consists of a longitudinal furrow.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Hinge much depressed and bent inwards.
We are informed by Pennant that this shell was discovered by the Reverend Hugh Davies; that it is a rare and new species, and is sometimes dredged up off Priestholme Island, Anglesea.
It is about half the size of Mytilus Modiolus, and in some respects resembles it; but is distinguished by the very remarkable and peculiar []structure of its hinge; the space opposite to it is bent inwards, in a winding manner, into a deep rugged cavity, which when the shells are closed, form a deep hollow, or umbilicus, as if bruised in. On one valve this depression is more deeply inflected inwards than on the other.
GENERIC CHARACTER. The hinge usually furnished with three teeth; shell generally sloping on one side.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Oblong, one side much produced or beaked; upper valve flat, lower very convex.
The Tellina inaequivalvis is noticed by Gmelin as a native of the Mediterranean and Norway seas, but has not been hitherto described as a British shell by any author. It is generally admitted by Conchologists that the species has been discovered on our shores, and William Pilkington, Esq. of Whitehall, has very lately re⯑ceived a specimen of it from the Guernsey coast, which he obligingly favoured us with it to figure and describe.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Shell somewhat oval or oblong, radiated with pale red streaks; a single tooth in the hinge of one valve, which is inserted between two teeth on the other valve, when shut.
This is the Tellina variabilis of the late Dr. Solander, and the Portland Museum; Gmelin arranges it amongst the Solens.
Found on the coast of Cornwall and Weymouth, and not noticed by either Pennant or Da Costa as an English shell.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve. Hinge furnished with three teeth; two near each other, the third divergent from the beaks.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Subrotund. Wrought transversely with numerous regular and minute striae, margins smooth.
Found in plenty on several of the British shores, as Cornwall, Dor⯑setshire, Devonshire, and Yorkshire; also in the isle of Guernsey, and those of the Orkneys.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Thin, convex, a deep obtuse ſinus, or bending on the front. Penn. Br. Zool. p. 95. sp. 51.
Figured and described by Pennant, from a specimen in the Portland tabinet, that was found at Weymouth. The shell we have figured is in the collection of the Rev. T. Rackett.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Sub-oval, blunt at the ends. Aperture, length of the shell, longitu⯑dinal, linear, toothed.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Convex, margined, and furrowed transversely across the back.
This shell is very common on our shores, and a variety of the same species is also abundant in the West Indies. The English shells of this kind are of various tints, generally whitish, and with or without spots; the exotic kind is distinguished by a furrow on the back.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve. Hinge furnished with three teeth; two near each other, the third divergent from the beaks.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Somewhat heart shaped. Deeply decussated on the sides, with transverse and oblique furrows, which form membraneous protube⯑rances or warts. Margins finely crenated.
Da Costa says, "this species is rare in our seas. The shores of Cornwall afford them, and they have been got in Devonshire and Dortsetshire." They have also been found on the eastern coast of Sussex, but not frequently.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal a Tethys. Shell bivalve, unequal. Hinge without a tooth, having a small oval cavity.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Less than the common Oyster. Outside wrought with thread⯑like longitudinal ridges. Inside green.
[]"This Oyster," says Da Costa, "hitherto only proposed and described by Dr. Lister, is a very different species from the common Oyster, but has been always overlooked as the same kind." Dr. Lister observes that it is found in plenty at the mouth of the river Tees, in Yorkshire, and says he first eat of it at Bourdeaur, in France, where it is greatly esteemed and called Rock Oyster, being found among the rocks.
The figure of this shell in the plate of Da Costa above quoted, is so very indifferent and devoid of true character, that were we not in possession of the specimen he represents, it would be difficult to ascertain it. In the general description he says the outside is a little uneven, but not rugged nor of a leaved or flakey structure as the common Oyster: he adds that the ridges are longitudinal, about the thickness of a thread, very numerous, irregular, and run one into another; but towards the bottom always furcate or divide. This description is accurate but does not accord with the figure, in which the longitudinal ridges appear of a flakey structure or like laminae, and not numerous, irregular threadlike striae as in the shell, We have selected several characteristic specimens of this species in the annexed plate.
This shell is thick, strong, and nearly opake: it is usually about an inch in diameter; the valves unequal, the under one being very con⯑cave, the upper one flattish. Within, it is of a livid green and rather glossy, the hinge broad, deep, somewhat triangular and stri⯑ated transversely. In many shells there is a remarkable white mark exactly resembling a thick spot of white oil paint, placed a little below the hinge, this spot always appears in radiated wrinkles from the centre, and is formed by the muscle of the shell.
[]It is found on many of our shores, as Kent, Sussex, Dorsetshire, &c. in abundance, and of various colours; some are very fine like japan lacquer, and others of a violet, green, pink, yellow or pearly tint when much worn. It is remarkable, however, that the upper valves are so scarce, that hundreds of the lower valves are found to one of them.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve, with equal valves, oblong, open at both ends. At the hinge a subulated tooth turned back, often double; not inserted in the opposite shell. Animal an Ascidia.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell strait, equally broad, and compressed. The hinge beset with two teeth in each valve.
This shell is found in abundace on many of the English shores, especially the northern and western coasts, and those of Scotland and Ireland.
The antients esteemed this fish a delicious food, and Dr. Lister informs us he thought it nearly as rich and palatable as the Lobster. In England and Scotland it is at present mostly used for baits, and nor for the table; but in Ireland is much eaten in Lent.—It is in season in spring.
From the hinge to the opposite margin the length is about half an inch, and its breadth from five to seven inches; but some shells are found much larger. The outside is covered with a thin transparent yellow-brown cuticle or epidermis, like glue, which peels off soon after the fish is dead or exposed to the shores. Under this epidermis the shell is smooth, very glossy, and marked with many concentric transverse wrinkles from the middle to one extreme, the other half is striated lengthways. Inside white and glossy.
[]DA COSTA OBS.—Mr. Wallis, in his History of Northumberland, p. 396. No. 9. notes a sort of this shell he calls the Orange and White Solen, found in Budle Sands with this common sort, and in all respects like it, except in colour, which is deep orange and white in transverse fillets, in alternate variegations. Quere, if a distinct species, or only a variety?
GENERIC CHARACTER. The hinge usually furnished with three teeth; shell generally shoping on one side.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Somewhat orbicular; valves shallow. White tinged with rose colour, and marked externally with numerous parallel striae, disposed in an oblique, reflexed and transverse direction.
[]According to Dr. Lister this species is a shore shell, and found very frequently in the shallows of Lancashire, and near Filey in Yorkshire, &c. It is also found at Scarborough, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall.
It is an elegant shell, the outside being beautifully marked with numerous delicate striae like strokes of engraving, and tinged with a fine rose or flesh colour. Some specimens are almost white, or white with transverse bands of deeper red, and the margins yellow. With⯑in, the red colour is much more vivid than the outside.
Da Costa has placed this species in the Cardium genus, and indeed with much propriety; though Linnaeus arranges it amongst the Tellens. It has a tendency on one side to flexure or slope like the Tellens, but the central and remote lateral teeth we think ſhould re⯑move it to the former genus.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal a Terebella. Shell slender, tubiform.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Tubular, conical, somewhat curved, and open at both ends.
This singular shell is found on many of the British shores, but rarely occurs perfect. It is abundant on our southern shores, as Hampshire, Devonshire, &c.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal a Tethys. Shell bivalve, unequal. Hinge without a tooth, having a ſmall oval cavity.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Upper valve flat, lower concave. About fourteen rounded longi⯑tudinal ribs, which are also deeply striated.
The large Escallop is found on most of the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, particularly on those of Portland and Purbeck in Dorset⯑shire. —The fish is eaten and much esteemed.
It is said by modern, as well as antient authors, that Escallops will move so strongly as to leap out of the catcher wherein they are taken: their way of leaping or raising themselves up, is by forcing the under valve against whatever they lie upon.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve, with equal valves, oblong, open at both ends. At the hinge a subulated tooth turned back, often double; not inserted in the opposite shell.—Animal an Ascidia.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell bowed like a Scymetar, equally broad and compressed. The hinge beset with two teeth in each valve.
[]This is a local and rare species; it has been found at Weymouth on the Dorsetshire coast, and according to Dr. Lister in plenty in the aestuary of the Severn, on the side of Wales.
It differs from the Solen siliqua in several respects; it is smaller, and not strait, but curved or bowed like a Scymetar.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Aperture of the mouth lunated. **** Ovated, imperforated.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Without umbilicus: a narrow depression on the edge of the pillar lip. Very ventricose, spire short and acute. Aperture very wide.
Found in plenty in rivers, ponds, &c.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Without umbilicus. Oblong; spire tapering. Several prominent longitudinal wrinkles which somewhat angulates the shell. Aperture oblong oval.
The largest and most produced of the British river snails, and is found in plenty in all our rivers, lakes, ponds, and other waters.
Liſter and Petiver have made two species of this shell maximum and minus; they appear however to be merely different stages of its growth.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal a slug. Shell conic. Aperture nearly triangular.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell conic, livid, without umbilicus: spirally striated, with the upper edge of each wreath margined.
This is one of the moſt elegant of the testaceous tribe found on our coasts; the colour in general is fleſh colour or pale red, ele⯑gantly variegated with deeper red or brown in streaks, waves, and chequers; when the exterior coat is worn, the shell is of a fine pearly hue.
It is not an uncommon species on the English shores, and is also found in the Orkneys and the western isles of Scotland.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve, with equal valves, oblong, open at both ends. At the hinge a subulated tooth turned back, often double; not inserted in the opposite shell. Animal an aſcidia.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Strait, oblong, rounded at both ends: smooth, and somewhat pellucid.
[]Both Pennant and Da Costa note this as a very rare British species, The first says it is found at Red Wharf, Anglesea, in North Wales; the latter received it from Christchurch, in Hampshire.
We have found it on the shores of Glamorganshire, and also in abundance in the sandy bay of Caermarthen this summer.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Two teeth near the beak, and another remote one on each side of the shell.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell somewhat oval, slightly striated longitudinally.
[]We have observed, that this species is in general discoloured, and deeply tinged with brown or yellow; when fine it is whitish, sleek, and covered with an epidermis.
It is found on most of our coasts, yet it is by no means common. Da Costa notes it from Yorkshire, Northumberland, Dorsetshire, Cornwall, Carnarvonshire, and the Orkneys.
GENERIC CHARACTER. The hinge toothless, and consists of a longitudinal furrow.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Somewhat oval, one end rounded, the other extended, narrow, and compressed; thin and brittle.
This species is not uncommon in our Rivers, Ponds, &c. but is less frequent than the Mytilus Anatinus, or Small Horse Muscle, which bears some resemblance to it. Mytilus Anatinus is rarely more than half the size of Mytilus Cygneus, is more compressed, and has the cartilage side extended in a straight line to an acute angle at one end.
The usual length of Mytilus Cygneus is about two or three inches, its breadth five or six inches. The valves deep, or concave. The outside is wrinkled transversely, and varies in colour according to the state of the Shell. The external covering, or epidermis, is thin, but strong, and of a greenish colour; under this the Shell is varied with bright brown, and when the coating is worn off, the whole Shell is pearly. The inside is often rugged with small pearls.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal Triton. Shell of many unequal valves; affixed by a stem.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell subrotund, of six lobes, ſurrowed longitudinally.
[]This large and interesting species of Balani is found adhering to the Whale, whence it is called the Whale Acorn Shell. It is not uncommon in the sea round Scotland. The natives of some of the Western Islands distinguish one species of Whale from the rest, for its great size, and the big limpets growing on their backs*. The same species is common on the Whales in the Northern Seas about Newfoundland.
The Animal is figured by Ellis, in the Philosophical Transactions for 1758, and resembles a cluster of small hooded and eared serpents issuing from the central cavity, and little openings at the tops of the longitudinal ribs. The base by which it is affixed, when alive, is covered with a coriaceous skin.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal Limax. Shell spiral, aperture narrow, without a beak. Columella plicated.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell oval, pointed at each end, and striated spirally. Pillar lip turned in a fold.
[]"This pretty species," says Da Costa, "I have received from Tinmouth and Exmouth, in Devonshire;" and Pennant notes it from Anglesea only.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal a Tethys. Bivalve, sides unequal. Middle tooth compli⯑cated, with a little groove on each side; lateral teeth remote.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell oblong oval, smooth; no lateral teeth. Hinge, a small and large triangular cavity in one valve; a similar cavity and an elevated triangular tooth in the opposite.
[]The Mactra lutraria is so very similar in general appearance to the Mya Arenaria, that without attending to the foliated hinge of the latter, they may be confounded with each other. Both shells are scarce on the British coasts, except in certain situations. Da Costa says the Mactra lutraria is found in plenty at Scarborough, in Nor⯑thumberland, Lancashire, &c. and on the shores of Scotland. Dr. Maton found them on the coast of Cornwall; and we met with them very fine, perfect, and beautifully coloured, on the sands near Laugharn, South Wales.
The general colour is yellowish, tinged with orange, and irregu⯑larly clouded with brown; and often glossed with a delicate white; the epidermis brown.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal Limax. Univalve, spiral, or of a taper form. Aperture somewhat compressed, orbicular, entire.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell swelled, or ventricose, white, variegated with red, and finely striated spirally. Umbilicated.
This species is particularly noticed by most conchologists. Dr. Lister says it is the most elegant of all our snails, and is found near Oglethorpe and Burwell woods in Lincolnshire, in Yorkshire, and in Kent. Petiver found it about Charlton, in Kent; also Morton, in Northamptonshire; Pennant, in the woods of Cambridgeshire; and Da Costa, in Surrey. It is no where common.
GENERIC CHARACTER. The hinge usually furnished with three teeth; shell generally sloping on one side.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Shell narrow oval, depressed, whitish, radiated with red; and striated transversely.
[]This elegant species is rather uncommon upon our coasts. Da Costa says he received it from Scarborough, in Yorkshire; and adds, it is scarce on the coasts of Cornwall, but of a larger size; the finest coloured specimens we have seen are from Dorsetshire and Wales.
The Tellina incarnata is smaller than trifaciata but very similar, and may be easily confounded with it.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal a Tethys, Bivalve, sides unequal. Middle tooth compli⯑cated, with a little groove on each side; lateral teeth remote.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Thick, transversely striated and girdled.
This species is found on many of our shores, as Kent, Dorsetshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, the coast of Wales, &c.
The girdles are most prominent in the dead shells; the surface be⯑tween them appearing much worn.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal Ascidia. Shell bivalve, opening wide at each end, with several lesser valves at the hinge. The hinges folded back and con⯑nected by a cartilage.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell oval, thick, wrought with transverse wrinkles, and divided down the middle by a furrow. The half next the hinge undulated or indented. A large flat curved tooth in the cavity under the beak.
Found in great abundance on many of our shores, nitched or bur⯑rowed in the rocks and stones in Cornwall, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Wales, &c.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal Tethys? Shell bivalve, equivalve. Teeth of the hinge numerous, inserted between each other.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Small, somewhat triangular, smooth, silvery within. Hinge semi⯑circular, beset with numerous plate-like teeth. Margin finely cre⯑nated
This kind is found in great abundance on many of our shores, as Kent, Essex, Sussex, Devonshire, &c. and is also met with at Sear-borough.
When these shells are fresh and perfect, says Da Costa, the outside is of an olive green, with some few transverse wrinkles; but when rubbed or worn are quite white, and almost smooth. The inside is of a fine silvery colour.
GENERIC CHARACTER. The hinge usually furnished with three teeth. Shell generally sloping on one side.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Somewhat triangular, thin, and flat.
[]In referring this ambiguous Shell to the Tellina genus, we may incur censure, as it does not certainly possess every characteristic of a tellen, yet we conceive less impropriety in altering the genera than in retaining it as a trigonella.
This Shell has been admitted as the Venus borealis of Linnaeus and from the Synonyms of Lister's figure, not without probability. We do not, however, think the Linnaean descriptions agree suffi⯑ciently with our Shell; it may be a variety of it, though we hesitate to admit it as such.
Pennant has described this Shell twice, the old Shell is Tellins Crassa, No. 28, and the young one Venus borealis, No. 52 of that author; he adds indeed "the Tellina crassa has the habit of Venus borealis, but its sides are unequal, one being more extended than the other."
Da Costa has been under similar difficulties, he gives it as a species of his genus trigonella, though he says in the general description, that "the hinge of this kind is of a different structure from the TRIGONELLAE, for it consists of two minute, thin, plate-like, pa⯑rallel teeth, aside of which is a large triangular cavity, and has no lateral teeth."
Common on several of the English shores.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Shell oblique, somewhat ovated, furrowed transversely, and of an horn colour.
The English naturalist is indebted to Dr. William Maton, author of the Tour of the Western Counties, for the discovery of this new and interesting British species. The first account of it appeared in a paper presented by him to the Linnaean Society, and afterwards inserted in their Transactions; and it is to this gentleman also our thanks are due for the specimens figured in the annexed plate. We have seen it since in the Collection of William Pilkington, Esq. Whitehall; who recently found it in the river near Hungerford in Berkshire.
Dr. Maton, in his remarks on this species, says, "It does not appear to have been described, and probably was never seen by Linnaeus, nor has it been noticed by any English writer on Conchology; a figure, however, of it occurs in Gualteri's Index, Testacrum. Conchy⯑liorum (Tab. 7. fig. C. C.) but has been referred to by Professor []Gmelin, in his edition of the Systema Naturae of Linnaeus for Tellin [...] cornea, though it evidently differs from the latter in shape, which Linnaeus considers as one of the most certain criteria, whereby species are to be distinguished. Gualtieri mentions the Shells al⯑luded to as "Musculus fluviatilis, striatus, subflavus pellucidus," which is a vague and imperfect description, and by no means sufficient to shew in what respect it differs from T. cornea." The difference consists chiefly in the T. rivalis being of a more oblique and sub⯑ovated form, and in having the hinge near one end; T. cornea is somewhat globose, and in particular has the hinge and beaks placed in a more central manner.
Dr. Maton has generally found Tellina rivalis on chalky parts of the bed of the river Avon, and in rivulets communicating with it near Salisbury; but has never seen it in any considerable abundance. He conceives, that if diligently sought after, it may be discovered in most rivers and streams which are inhabited by Tellina cornea.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Aperture of the mouth contracted, and lunulated.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell whitish, striped, convex, rather depressed. A deep round central umbilicus. Outer lip of the mouth turned backward and spread.
[]The Shells figured in the annexed plate are the true C. virgata of Da Costa, but not the Helix Zonaria of Pennant, as that author has erroneously considered them in his British Conchology. It appears that the latter species came into the possession of Da Costa after the work was published, for it stands corrected in some MSS. notes in his collection, though it is not noticed in his publication. Gmelin in his Systema Natura admits Da Costa's Shell as the Linnaean Zonaria; Pennant's Shell is not described by either author.
It inhabits dry sandy soils and banks, and, as Da Costa observes, is common only in some parts, as in the grass on Heddington-heath in Oxfordshire, and in Hampshire in plenty. It is also found in Corn-wall, and was met with by Petiver on Newmarket-heath in Cam⯑bridgeshire.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Shell suboval. Aperture oblong, very patulous, and smooth or even. One end rather convoluted.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Cylindric, white, glossy, four prominent wrinkles on the pillar lip.
[]Bulla cylindricea is esteemed a very rare species by collectors of English Shells. It is found on the western coasts of England. Da Costa received them from Cornwall and Weymouth; and Lister notes them from Barnstaple in Devonshire.
The smallest figures denote the natural size.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve. Hinge furnished with three teeth; two near each other, the third divergent from the beaks.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Somewhat oval, wrought with transverse and longitudinal striae, or prominent ridges, which cross or decussate each other; outside brown, inside white, with violet spots near the hinge.
The young Shells of this species vary considerably in their colours and markings, but are in general remarkable for their elegance; as they encrease in growth, those colours and markings gradually fade, and in old Shells become altogether obscure. It is found in plenty on most of the southem coasts of England and Wales.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Bivalve. Hinge furnished with three teeth; two near each other, the third divergent from the beaks.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Shell somewhat heart-shaped, and marked with three or four lon⯑gitudinal rays of brown.
This is one of the most elegant of the British Shells. It is found on the coasts of Dorsetshire, Cornwall, and the isles of Scilly, and also on those of Wales. The general colour is pale flesh colour, []radiated and figured with a chestnut brown, but in some instances they vary to an uniform brown or orange, obscurely spotted with black.
Da Costa is the only English author who notices this species.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal ascidia. Shell bivalve, opening wide at each end, with several lesser valves at the hinge. The hinges folded back and con⯑nected by a cartilage.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shell oval, thin, wrought with transverse wrinkles, and divided down the middle by a furrow. The half next the hinge undulated or indented. A slender and oblique curved tooth in the cavity under the beak. Size of a hazel nut.
This shell was first described by Pennant in his Zoology; he says it very much resembles the Pholas crispatus but is never found larger than a hazed not. Da Costa describes it also, but doubts whether it []is a diſtinct species or only a young shell of that kind. As both authors have however figured and described it separately, we have given it a place as a distinct, or at leaſt doubtful species.
Pennant says he found these shells in masses of fossil wood in the shores of Abergelli in Denbighshire: the bottom of their cells were round and appeared as if nicely turned with some instrument. According to this author they will also perforate the hardest oak plank that is accidentally lodged in the water. Da Costa says they are found in great quantities on the same coasts as the other kind (Pholas crispatus) nitched in the rocks and stones, and adds that there is an amazing abundance at Scarborough and Whitby in Yorkshire, nitched in the Alum and other stones.
GENERIC CHARACTER. The hinge toothless, and consists of a longitudinal furrow.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Short, ventricose, obtuse, ferruginous yellow. An oblique space extending from the hinge to the apex, covered with a rule epidermis and irregular filaments.
In trawling for marine productions in the Straits that divides Caer⯑narvon from Anglesea (Menai) last summer, we found several speci⯑mens of the Mytilus barbatus of a much larger size than any hitherto []described by authors, as the figures in the annexed plate will fully express.
Da Costa has not noticed this species, though it must have been known to him from the figures and descriptions in Pennant's Zoology, where it stands under the name of M. Curtus. sp. 76. A. Short. Pen⯑nant's specimen scarcely exceeds the size of the second specimen figured in our plate;—it was described from a Shell in the Portland Cabinet, that had been taken at Weymouth.
Linnaeus mentions this species in the Fauna Suecica. Gmelin quotes the Works of Chemnitz for its figure, where it appears some⯑what smaller than in those of Pennant. It is certainly very scarce.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal Limax. Univalve, spiral, or of a taper form. Aperture somewhat compressed, orbicular, entire.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Somewhat conic. Ash colour variegated with fine streaks and irregular marks of black; a rude tooth at the top of the pillar.
We believe this species is rather an uncommon, or at least local kind on the British shores, though Da Costa says it is found on the coasts of Devonshire, Cornwall, Dorsetshire, Pwlhely in Caernar⯑vonshire, and in plenty on the coasts of Norfolk. The collection of that author contains but a single specimen, it is a worn Shell and indifferently expressed by the figure above quoted. The most cha⯑racteristic Shells of this species we have seen, we found on the rocky []shores of Aberſraw, on the western side of Anglesea, and at Ma⯑nachty the remotest part of the same island.
This Shell is large, thick, and conic or shaped like a trochus. The general colour is ashen with little variation, the lines in some are dark or almost black, in others of a pale brown, or brown tinged with red; when the external covering is worn off the Shell appears of a fine mother of pearl.
Turbo lineatus is not described by any English Author except Da Costa.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Animal Limax. Univalve, spiral, or of a taper form. Aperture somewhat compressed, orbicular, entire.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Taper, somewhat transparent. Spires turn from left to right. Mouth jagged or beset with teeth.
This is one of the heterostrope Shells, or such as have the mouth placed on the right side instead of the left, as is usual in most spe⯑cies. In general, heterosphe Shells are mere accidental varieties only of such as turn in the usual manner*; but in the present instance, it constitutes a striking character of the species itself.
It is a matter of some difficulty to reconcile the various opinions of authors respecting the several varieties and growths of this species; Da Cos'a has entered into the enquiry; and the result of his remarks appear at least satisfactory to us.
[]"These smaller ones," says Da Costa, "are the young Shells, but always with them are found old ones of double or treble the size; in every other respect like these, but proportionally larger and stronger in their several parts and work. The plaits or foldings near the mouth are deep and very strong; the striae stronger and more distinct; the border round the mouth greatly turned outwards, very broad, flat, thick, milk white, and the sinuosities, jags or teeth, within, are large, white, and very conspicuous; some are bidentated, and most of these old ones have eleven, and some even twelve spires.
"From these circumstances, authors run into confusion, by making the different growths different species. The accurate and judicious Lister himself has formed two species, in his tit. 10. and 11. on the difference of the number of the spires and other slight parti⯑culars. The several figures in Gualtieri are only varieties; and the bidens of Linné, Syst. Nat. p. 1240. No. 649. and of Mr. Pennant, Brit. Zool. No. 117. tab. 81, fig. 117. is apparently no other than an old Shell, for such large and bidentated ones I have not unfrequently found nestled with these common smaller Shells.
"Though the number of spires in a Shell is a criterion, yet it is not an infallible one, for the number of spires vary in some species, either from the growths or sexes: in such cases the young Shells have always a less number, and the males have their spires less numerous than the females. This very species is, perhaps, as strong an instance of the difference in the number of the spires as can be, for it is found from six to twelve spires, as Linné has also noted in his Fauna Suecica."
Linnaeus, and Gmelin in his last Systema Naturae, distinguish the []two species Bidens and Perversus chiefly by the number of teeth. The latter is described with three teeth, the former of course with only two. Fig. 1.1. denotes the natural size. Fig 2. magnified.
| MULTIVALVIA. | ||
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| LEPAS Diadema | 56 | |
| Pholas crispata | 62 | |
| — parvus | 63 | |
| BIVALVIAE. CONCHA. | ||
| Selen Siliqua | 46 | |
| — Legumen | 53 | |
| — Ensis | 50 | |
| Tellina inaequivalvis | 41 | 1 |
| — variabilis | 41 | 2 |
| — trifasciata | 60 | |
| — carnaria | 47 | |
| — borealis | 62 | 1 |
| — rivalis | 62 | 2 |
| Cardium laevigatum | 54 | |
| Mactra Lutraria | 58 | |
| — solida | 61 | |
| Venus decussata | 67 | |
| — striatulus | 68 | |
| — exoleta | 42 | 1 |
| — sinuosa | 42 | 2 |
| — verrucosa | 44 | |
| Area glycymeris | 37 | |
| — nucleus | 63 | |
| Ostrea maxima | 49 | |
| — striata | 45 | |
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| Mytilus Umbilieatus | 40 | |
| — cygneus | 55 | |
| — barbatus | 70 | |
| UNIVALVIA. | ||
| Cypraea pediculus | 43 | |
| Bulla pallida | 66 | |
| Voluta tornatilis | 57 | |
| Murex Corneus | 38 | |
| Trochus Zizyphinus | 52 | |
| Turbo Lineatus | 71 | |
| — striatus | 59 | |
| — perversus | 72 | |
| Helix cornea | 39 | 1 |
| — lapicida | 39 | 2 |
| — Auricularia | 51 | 1 |
| — stagnalis | 51 | 2 |
| — zonaria | 65 | |
| Dentalium entalis | 48 | |
| PART I. | ||
| GENUS 4. | ||
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| DENTALE vulgare, common tooth-shell | 48 | |
| PART II. UNIVALVIA INVOLUTA. | ||
| GENUS 5. BULLA. DIPPER. | ||
| Bulla cylindracea cylindric | 66 | |
| GENUS 6. CYPRAEA, COWRY. | ||
| Cypraea pediculus, [...]u monacha, the Sea Louse or Nun | 43 | |
| PART III. UNIVALVIA TURBINATA. TROCHUS TOP SHELL. | ||
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| Trochus Zizyphinus, Livid | 5 [...] | |
| GENUS 9. HELIX | ||
| Helix Acuta, ſharp | 39 | 2 |
| FLUVIATILES. RIVER. GENUS 34. | ||
| Cornu Arietis, Bam's Horn | 39 | 1 |
| COCHLEA SNAILS. TERRESTRES. LAND. | ||
| Cochlea virgata, ſtriped | 65 | |
| GENUS 41. | ||
| TERRESTRES. LAND. TURBO. | ||
| Turbo striatus, striated | 59 | |
| FLUVIATILES. RIVER. | ||
| Plate | Fig. | |
| Turbo stagnatis: Lake | 51 | 2 |
| Turbo Patulus, Wide Mouth | 51 | 1 |
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Turbo lineatus, streaked | 71 | |
| Turbo ovalis. Oval | 57 | |
| GENUS 12. STROMBIFORMIS. NEEDLE SNAIL. | ||
| TERRESTRES. LAND. | ||
| Strombiſormis perversus, reversed or oat | 72 | |
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Murex gracile, ſlender | 38 | |
| ORDER 2. BIVALVES. | ||
| GENUS 1. PECTEN. ESCALLOP. | ||
| Pecten vulgaris, common | 49 | |
| GENUS 2. OSTREUM. OYSTER. | ||
| Ostreum striatum, striated | 45 | |
| PART. II. MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| GENUS 4. GLYCYMERIS. | ||
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| Glycymeris orbiculatis, orbicular | 37 | |
| Glycymeris Argentea, silvery | 63 | |
| GENUS 6. CARDIUM. HEART COCKLE. | ||
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Cardium Laevigatum, smooth | 54 | |
| Cardium carneosum, fleſh-coloured | 47 | |
| PECTUNCULUS. COCKLE. | ||
| Pectunculus strigatus, ridged | 44 | |
| Pectunculus capillaceus, Hair streaked | 42 | 1 |
| GENUS 3. TRIGONELLA. | ||
| MARINAE SEA. | ||
| Trigonella zonaria, girdled | 61 | |
| Trigonella plana, flat | 62 | |
| GENUS 9. CUNEUS. PURR. | ||
| Cuneus reticulatus, reticulated Purr | 67 | |
| GENUS 10. TELLINA. TELLEN. | ||
| Tellina radiata, rayed | 60 | |
| GENUS 11. MYTILUS MUSCLE. | ||
| FLUVIATILES. RIVER. | ||
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| Mytilus Cygneus, great Horse Muscle | 55 | |
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Mytilus curvirostris, wry beak | 40 | |
| Mytilus barbatus, bearded | 70 | |
| PART III. | ||
| GENUS 13. CHAMA. GAPER. | ||
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Chama magna, large | 58 | |
| GENUS 14. SOLEN. SHEATH OR RAZOR SHELL. | ||
| Solen tiliqua. Pod | 46 | |
| Solen ensis. Scymetar | 50 | |
| Solen legumen. Peasecod | 53 | |
| PART IV. MULTIVALVES. | ||
| GENUS 16. PHOLAS. PIDDOCKS. | ||
| Pbolas bifrons, double-fronted | 62 | |
| Pbolas parvus | 69 | |
| GENUS 17. BALANUS. ACORN. | ||
| MARINAE. SEA. | ||
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| Balanus Balaena, Whale | 56 | |
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| ACUTA Helix, Sharp | 39 | 2 |
| Auricularia Helix, Ear, or Wide Mouth River Snail | 51 | 1 |
| Barbatus Mytilus, Bearded | 70 | |
| Berealis, Tellina | 62 | |
| Carnaria, Tellina, Fleſh coloured Tellen | 47 | |
| Cornea, Helix, Ram's Horn | 39 | 1 |
| Corneus, Murex, Horny or slender Whelk | 38 | |
| Crispata, Pholas, Curled or Double fronted Piddock | 62 | |
| Cygnaeus, Mytilus, Great Horse or Swan Muscle | 55 | |
| D [...]ussata, Venus, reticulated | 67 | |
| Diadema, Lepas, Whale Acorn Shell | 56 | |
| Ensis, Solen, Scymetar | 50 | |
| Intalis, Dentalium, Tooth Shell | 48 | |
| Exoleta, Venus, antiquated | 42 | 1 |
| Glycymeris, Area, Orbicular Ark | 37 | |
| Inaequivalvis, Tellina, Unequal-valved Tellen | 41 | |
| Lapicida, Helix, Acute-edged | 39 | 2 |
| Laevigatum, Cardium, Large High-beaked Cockle | 54 | |
| Laegumen, Solen, Peasecod | 53 | |
| Lineatus, Turbo, streaked | 71 | |
| Lutraria, Mactra, Large Gaper | 58 | |
| Maxima, Ostrea, Great Scallop | 49 | |
| Nucleus, Arca, Silvery Ark | 63 | |
| Pallida, Bulla, Pale or Cylindric Bulla | 66 | |
| Parvus, Pholas, Small Piddock | 69 | |
| Pediculus, Cypraea, Sea Louse, Cowry, or Nun | 43 | |
| Perversus, Turbo, Reversed or Oat | 72 | |
| Rivalls, Tellina | 62 | 2 |
| Siliqua, Solen, Large or Pod Solen | 46 | |
| Sinuosa, Venus, Indented Venus Shell | 42 | 2 |
| Sol [...]da, Mactra, Girdled | 61 | |
| Stagnalis, Helix, Lake Snail | 51 | 2 |
| Plate. | Fig. | |
| Striata, Ostrea, Striated Oyster | 45 | |
| Striatulus, Venus, striated | 68 | |
| Striatus, Turbo, striated Wreath Shell | 59 | |
| Tornatilis, Voluta, Oval volute | 57 | |
| Trifasciata, Tellina, Three-streaked Tellen | 60 | |
| Variabilis Tellina, variable | 41 | 1 |
| Verrucosa, Venus, Warted Venus Shell | 44 | |
| Umbilicatus, Mytilus, Umbilicated or Wry Beak Muscle | 40 | |
| Zizyphinus, Trochus, Livid Top Shell | 52 | |
| Zonaris, Helix, Striped Snail | 65 |
Printed by Bye and Law, St. John's-Square, Clerkenwell.
"Dr. Lister further recites some observations and experiments he made on this scarlet fluid, to discover whether it was a humour of the body, or to be got by lace⯑ration or incision, as blood; a saliva from the throat or stomach; or a particular hu⯑mour contained in certain vessels or parts; but the nicety and difficulty of the experi⯑ments rendered it impossible for him to determine it preci [...]ely." Da Costa, page 61, 62.