Skip to main content

Full text of "The Malacological and conchological magazine"

See other formats 


THE 


MALACOLOGICAL 


CONCHOLOGIClL 


agaittte. 


CONDUCTED   BY 


G.   B.    SOWERBV,    F.  L.  S., 

&c.     &c. 


Part  I. 


HonDon : 

^KINTi;U    »V   E,   J,   STIHUNG,    AnDLE  STREET,  WOOD   STREET,   CUCATSIVK, 

FOR 

G    B-  Sotoerby,  Great  Russeli  Street,  Sloomsbury 

1838. 

FOU    PRIVATE   GRATUITOUS   DISTRIBUTJIOW    ONiY* 


m 


ZOOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


In  order  to  render  this  Work  as  complete  as  possible,  Mr. 
G.  B.  SowERBY  has  primed  a  Table  of  Contents  for  the  First  and 
Second  Parts  of  the  Supplementary  Plates,  which  may  be  had 
gratis,  by  the  Subscribers  to  the  Work  and  possessors  of  the 
copies  of  the  Supplementary  Plates,  upon  application  at  Mr. 
Sowerby's,  50,  Great  Russell  Street,  Bloomsbury  : — at  the  same 
place  may  be  had 

1.  The  ZOOLOGICAL  JOURNAL,  No.  1  to  20,  and  Supple- 
mentary  Plates  to  ditto,  Parts  1  to  5,  coloured  JG14  3s. 

N.B. — Only  fi^e  complete  copies  of  this  work  can  now  be  had  ; 
but  the  latter  numbers,  and  the  Supplementary 
Plates  may  be  had  separately  to  complete  copies  or 
make  up  deficiencies. 

2.  The  GENERA  OF  RECENT  FOSSIL  SHELLS.  Nos.  1  to 
42,  £\2  12s. 

N.B. — Only  one  copy  of  this  Work  can  now  be  had  until 
some  of  the  Plates  are  re-engraved. 

3.  SPECIES  CONCHYLIORUM.  Parti,  £2  2s.  N.B.— The 
second  and  third  parts  are  nearly  reacSy. 

4.  CONCHOLOGICAL  ILLUSTRATIONS,  consisting  of  co- 
loured figures  of  hitherto  unfigured  Recent  Shells.  Parts  1  to  132, 
Is.  6d.  each.  For  a  recapitulation  of  the  contents  of  this  Work, 
see  a  separate  advertisement. 

5.  The  TANKERVILLE  CATALOGUE  of  SHELLS,  with 
Appendix,  containing  Descriptions  of  100  new  species,  and  Nine 
Coloured  Plates.     Small  4to.  10s.,  or  Demy  8vo.  7s.  6d. 


6.  The  MINERAL  CONCHOLOGY  of  GREAT  BRITAIN, 
plain.  No.  1,  Is.  .3d  ;  Nos.  2  to  104,  at  2s.  6d.  each,  and  No.  105 
at  5s.  The  first  fifty  numbers  can  now  be  had.  Nos.  97  to  104 
must  be  paid  for  in  advance,  or  upon  payment  of  ^12  9s.  9d.  the 
numbers  now  out  will  be  delivered,  and  the  continuation  as  it 
appears. 

7.  The  MINERAL  CONCHOLOGY  OF  GREAT  BRITAIN, 
coloured.  No.  1,  2s.  Gd.  No.  2  to  105,  at  5s.  each.  No.  106,  price 
4s.  will  be  published  in  January,  1838. 

8.  THOMPSON'S  ZOOLOGICAL  RESEARCHES.  Parts  1 
to  5,  at  3s.  6d.  each. 

9.  ENGLISH  BOTANY.  Small  Edition.  No.  1  to  200  at  Is. 
each. 

10.  A  Supplement  to  the  English  Botany,  44  Nos.  at  3s. 
each. 

11.  GLEANINGS  of  BRITISH  ALGM,  by  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley. 
5  Parts,  15s. 

12.  A  new  edition  of  ENGLISH  FUNGI,  conducted  by  the 
Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley,  of  the  same  size  as  the  English  Botany,  is 
about  to  be  published  in  numbers,  containing  8  Plates  each,  at  4s. 
Orders  for  which  will  be  received  by  G.  B.  Sowerby,"  50,  Great 
Russell  Street,  Bloomsbury. 

13.  DE  EUPHORBIACEARUM  GENERIBUS,  medicisque 
earum  demque  viribus  Tentamen,  auctore  Ad.  de  Jussieu  ;  18 
Plates,  6s. 

14.  DISCOURS  SUR  LES  REVOLUTIONS  DE  LA  SURFACE 
DU  GLOBE,  by  Cuvier,  with  his  Portrait  and  Plates,  12s. 

15.  MEMOIRES  DE  LA  SOCIETE  D'HISTOIRE  NATU- 
RELLE  DE  PARIS,  vols.  2,  3,  and  4.    ^3. 

16.  ICONES  FOSSILIUM  SECTILES,  by  C.  E.  Konig,  Esq. 
Centuria  prima  10s 

17.  HISTORY  and  DESCRIPTION  of  the  ROYAL  MUSEUM 
of  NATURAL  HISTORY  of  PARIS,  2  Vols.  8vo.  with  Plates, 
7s.  6d. 

18.  An  extensive  COLLECTION  of  RECENT  SHELLS,  com- 
prising about  5000  Species,  to  be  selected  at  fixed  prices. 

19.  A  series  of  British  Shells,  comprising  more  than  500 
species,  all  correctly  named. 


20.  Numerous  ORGANIC  FOSSILS. 

21.  PLAN  SOMMAIRE  D'UN  TRAITE  DE  GEOGRAPHIE 
ET  DE  STATISTIQUE.  par  De  Ferussac.     2s. 

22.  A  COLLECTION  of  MINERALS,  consisting  of  about  1150 
carefully  selected  characteristic  small  specimens,  comprising 
nearly  all  the  substances;  many  of  them  very  rare  and  valuable  ; 
arranged  in  a  Cabinet  of  twelve  drawers,  and  all  correctly  named, 
with  localities.     Price  One  hundred  guineas. 

23.  A  small  COLLECTION  of  MINERALS,  consisting  of  more 
than  1600  Specimens,  all  named,  and  comprising  nearly  all  the 
known  substances,  many  extremely  rare. 

N.B. — This  Collection  is  well  suited  for  the  study  of  Mine- 
ralogy, most  of  the  substances  showing  distinctly  the 
crystalline  and  other  forms,  as  well  as  variations  of 
colour,  &c. 

24.  Specimens  of  METEORIC  IRON,  from  Lenarto,  in  Hun- 
gary. This  Meteoric  Iron  contains  more  than  8  per  cent,  of 
Nickel. 

25.  LABELS  for  COLLECTIONS  of  MINERALS.  2s.  per  copy. 

26.  Various  CABINETS,  suited  for  Minerals,  Shells,  or  Fossils. 


I. 

For  Sale,  by  Private  Contract,  an  extremely  perfect 
ICHTHYOSAURUS, 

in  very  fine  condition,  the  dimensions  of  which  are  as  follows:  — 

Ft.  In. 

Length  of  the  beak 1  6 

head 1  10 

Width  across  the  head 1  4 

From  the  head  to  the  paddle 1  3 

Thickness  across  the  shoulder. .. .      0  9 
From  the  end  of  one  paddle  to  the 

end  of  the  other 6  2 

Length  from  head  to  tail 6  0 

of  the  tail 6  0 

Total  length  about 16  0 


11. 

A  Very  Fine  Fossil  lower  jaw  of  an  Elephant,  dredged  from  off 
the  Dogger  Bank,  having  all  its  teeth,  in  most  perfect  condition. 


Mr.  G.  B.  SowERBY  begs  to  announce,  that  he  is  actively 
engaged  in  completing  the  second  and  third  parts  of  the  Species 
CoNCHYLiORUM,  of  which  all  the  plates  are  engraved,  some  are 
printed  off  and  coloured  ;  and  all  the  manuscript  is  ready,  a  part 
of  that  also  being  printed  off;  and  that  both  will  be  completed  as 
quickly  as  the  great  outlay  will  permit.  He  is  also  preparing  the 
compleiion  of  his  Genera  of  Recent  and  Fossil  Shells,  which 
will  not  be  delayed  longer  than  is  absolutely  necessarj'.  At  the 
same  time  he  is  collecting  materials  for  an  Illustrated  Natural 
History  of  British  Testaceous  Mollusca,  to  be  published  as 
soon  as  possible  afier  his  work  on  the  Genera  is  c<impleted.  A 
Prospectus  will  shortly  be  laid  before  the  Public,  and  in  the 
interval,  he  respectfully  invites  the  communication  of  unpub- 
lished information  relating  to  the  subject,  and  of  new  or  rare 
species.  It  is  intended  to  give  descriptions  and  figures  of  every 
species  of  Shell,  and  of  every  Genus  of  Testaceous  Mollusc. 


THE  CHATHAM  MUSEUM. 
Mr.  G.  B.  SowERBY  has  in  his  possession  certain  articles,  prin- 
cipally Crustacea,  which  were  left  with  him  for  the  Chatham 
Museum,  by  J.  V.  Thompson,  Esq.,  and  which  he  will  be  happy 
to  deliver  to  the  proper  authorities.  No  application  will  be 
replied  to,  if  atten'led  with  any  expense  to  G.  B.  S. 


George  Odell,  Printer,  18,  Princes-street,  Oxford-street. 


THE 


MALACOLOGICAL 


CONCHOLOGICAL 


CONDUCTED    BY 

B.    SOWERBY,    F.  L.  S. 

&c.     &c. 


Part  I. 


ILontion : 

PRINTED    BY    E.   J,    STIRLING,    ADDLE   STREET,  WOOD    STREET,   CHEAPSIDE. 

FOR 

G.  jB.  Sowerby,  Great  Russell  Street,  Blootnshury 
1838. 

FOR   PRIVATE    GRATUITOUS   DISTRIBUTION   ONLY, 


Part  I. 

OF  THE 

MALACOLOGICAL  AND  CON(  HOLOGICAL 

mAGAZINE. 


TO  BE  CONTINUED  MONTHLY. 


Conducted  by  G.  B.  SOWERBY,  F  L.  S.,  &c. 


This  work  is  intended  as  the  Conductors  gratuitous 
contribution  for  the  advancement  of  one  of  his  fa- 
vourite branches  of  Natural  Science.  The  particular 
object  which  he  proposes  to  himself  in  commencing 
it  is  the  establishment  of  a  Malacological  and  Concho- 
logical  Society  in  London;  it  will  be  carried  on  at  the 
sole  expense  of  the  Conductor  for  a  twelvemonth, 
by  which  time  it  is  to  be  hoped  such  a  Society  will 
be  established  ;  when  it  will  be  naturally  replaced 
by  their  transactions.  The  Conductor  will  admit 
useful  original  articles  relative  to  Malacological  and 
Concholojrical  Science  in  all  their  branches,  and  he 
invites  articles  relating  to  those  Sciences  in  their 
connection  with  Geology. 

The  Conductor  of  this  Magazine  has  for  some  years 


been  convinced  that  two  new  Societies  ought  to  be 
established  for  the  furtherance  of  the  interests 
of  Geological  Science,  namely,  a  Mineralogical 
and  a  Malacological  and  Conchological.  Hewould 
willingly  render  any  aid  in  his  power  to  the 
estabhshment  of  the  former  or  Mineralogical  Society, 
but  he  feels  that  the  formation  of  such  a  Society 
would  require  much  greater  influence  than  he  is  pos- 
sessed of,  seeing  that  the  study  of  Minerals  is  scarcely 
attended  to  at  the  present  time. 

He  will  attempt  the  formation  of  the  latter  or  Ma- 
lacological and  Conchological  Society,  and  with  this 
view  he  proposes  as  follows : — 

1 .  That  a  Society  be  formed,  to  be  called  The  Mala- 

cological and  Conchological  Society  of  London. 

2.  That  the  objects  of  this  Society  be — 

1 .  The  formation  of  a  Library  to  consist  of 
all  works  connected  with  the  Malacological  and 
Conchological  Sciences  in  all  their  bearings; 

2.  The  formation  of  Collections  of  speci- 
mens, drawings  and  descriptions  of  MoUusca  and 
of  Collections  of  Shells,  both  recent  and  fossil, 
with  a  view  to  an  improved  classification  and 
nomenclature,  and  to  the  comparison  and  identi- 
fication of  recent  and  fossil  species. 

3.  The  publication  from  time  to  time  of  such 
new  and  important  facts  as  may  come  under  the 
notice  of  the  Society,    and  also  the  publication 


of  descriptive   Catalogues  of  species  made  as 
complete  as  possible  with  correct  synonyms. 

3.  The  Society  shall  consist  in  the  first  instance  of 
those  persons  who  shall  forward  to  the  Con- 
ductor of  this  Magazine  a  letter  expressing 
their  intention  to  aid  in  its  formation.  As  soon 
as  twenty-five  persons  shall  have  expressed  such 
intention  a  meeting  shall  be  held,  at  which  every 
such  person  shall  be  invited  to  assist ;  and  all 
further  proceedings  shall  be  under  the  immediate 
control  of  a  majority  of  such  persons  as  shall 
thus  meet  together  after  a  week's  notice. 

4.  The  Conductor  of  this  Magazine  engages  to  keep 
a  list  of  such  persons  as  may  express  their  inten- 
tion of  assisting  in  the  formation  of  this  Society. 
He  will  also  pay  all  expences  which  may  be  in- 
curred, and  keep  a  regular  account  of  receipts 
and  expenditures  until  the  formation  of  the 
Society  by  the  act  of  so  many  of  the  first  twenty- 
five  persons  as  may  meet  together  for  that 
purpose.  When  the  Society  is  actually  formed, 
it  will  of  course  repay  such  reasonable  sums  as 
may  have  been  expended. 

The  Conductor  of  this  Magazine  ventures  to  invite 
Noblemen  and  Gentlemen  who  are  interested  in  the 
advancement  of  the  particular  branches  of  science 
which  he  proposes  as  the  objects  of  pursuit  by  this 
Society,  to  come  forward  and  unite  in  its  foundation  : 
particularly  as  the  collections  it  is  proposed   to   form 


may  under  proper  regulations  be  rendered  perma- 
nently useful  in  aid  of  Geological  studies  by  offering 
the  means  of  obtaining  a  corrected  nomenclature,  an 
improved  Classification,  and,  which  is  of  great  impor- 
tance to  Geologists,  the  comparative  examination  and 
exact  indentification  both  of  recent  and  fossil  species. 

In  furtherance  of  these  useful  objects  the  Conductor 
of  this  Magazine  now  puts  aside  a  small  cabinet,  and 
proposes  to  arrange  in  it,  from  time  to  time,  such 
illustrative  objects  as  he  may  occasionally  meet  with, 
merely  as  a  nucleus,  around  which  it  is  to  be  hoped, 
a  most  valuable  and  useful  Collection  may  in  time 
be  formed;  a  Collection  which  will  enable  any 
persons  having  access  to  it,  to  name  at  once  and 
with  precision  any  malacological  or  conchological  sub- 
ject, recent  or  fossil  they  may  possess,  and  in  order 
to  render  it  more  extensively  useful  the  Conductor  of 
this  Magazine  would  propose  that  it  should  be  opened 
in  the  most  liberal  manner  to  those  persons  who  may 
wish  to  consult  it. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  who  may  be  disposed  to  aid 
the  object  of  the  proposed  Society  are  respectfully 
informed  that  they  may  immediately  begin  to  do  so 
by  forwarding  specimens  or  duplicates  from  their 
Collections  of  recent  or  fossil  shells,  or  mollusca 
preserved  in  spirits — and  it  is  requested  that  the  lo- 
calities as  correctly  as  possible  may  be  given.  A 
Catalogue  of  all  such  donations,  together  with  the 
name  of  the  donor  and  the  localities  will  be  carefully 
prepared  and  kept. 


The  Conductor  of  the  Malacological  and  Concho- 
logical  Magazine,  begs  to  be  permitted  in  conclusion 
to  state,  that  in  making  this  proposal  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  new  Society  he  has  no  personal  interest 
to  serve  and  that  he  is  only  actuated  by  the  desire, 
as  much  as  in  him  lies,  of  furthering  the  interests  of 
Science ;  he  feels  that  he  is  too  obscure,  and  alto- 
gether too  uninfluential  an  individual  to  aspire  to  the 
character  of  Founder  of  a  Society — he  will  however 
use  his  best  endeavours  to  excite  others  who  from  their 
position  in  Society,  their  talents  and  their  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  Science  are  far  better  fitted  to  sustain  such 
a  character  than  he  is.  But  should  such  a  Society 
as  he  proposes  not  eventually  be  formed,  having  done 
his  duty,  his  conscience  will  not  allow  him  to  apply 
the  ''pudet  hcBC  opprohria"  to  himself. 

Societies  or  private  individuals  who  wish  to  have 
this  Magazine,  which,  it  must  be  remembered,  is  only 
printed  for  private  gratuitous  distribution,  will  have 
the  goodness  to  send  their  names  and  exact  addresses, 
at  their  own  expense  to  Mr.  G.  B.  Sowerby,  No.  50, 
Great  Russell  Street,  Bloomsbury. 

Communications  intended  for  publication  in  this 
Magazine  must  be  sent  free  of  expense  to  the 
Conductor. 


Art  I.      On  Melania  inquinata,    Defr., 

and  its  supposed  recent  analogue. 

Vide  Deshaijes  Coquilles  Fossiles  des  Environs  de  Paris,  T.  II.     pi.  12 

f.  7,  8,  13,  14,  15,  16,  p.  105,  (1825.)     Id.  Mag.  de  Conchyl. 

pi.  et  p.  13,   (June,  1830.) 

Cerithium  Melanoides,    Sotverbi/   Min.  Conch,  of  Great  Britain, 

Vol.  II.  p.  109,  pi.  147,  f.  6,  7. 

DeFrance  Diet,  des  Sciences  naiuielles,  Tom.  XXIX,  p.  469. 
When,  some  months  since,  I  addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  Natural 
History  Magazine  some  observations  on  Mr.  Samuel  Stutchbury's  pro- 
posed new  genus  CyprcBcassis,  I  ventured  not  to  advance  any  opinion 
upon  the  subject ;  my  intention  was,  by  bringing  forward  such  facts  as 
I  had  myself  observed,  independently  of  the  favourable  or  unfavourable 
bearing  they  might  have  upon  the  establishment  of  the  proposed  genus, 
to  enable  others,  as  far  as  ray  facts,  combined  with  Mr.  Stutchbury's, 
would  go,  to  form  a  correct  judgment  upon  the  subject.  I  know  not  what 
expressions  I  may  in  those  observations  have  made  use  of  that  may  fairly 
be  construed  into  expression  of  personal  feeling,  or  an  improper  spirit, 
with  both  of  which  I  have  been  charged.  I  have  merely  stated  facts, 
the  proofs  of  which  are  existing  and  to  be  seen  every  day  ;  that  these 
facts  have  a  direct  tendency  unfavourable  to  the  establishment  of  Mr. 
Stutchbury's  proposed  genus  is  not  to  be  charged  as  a  fault  against  me. 
I  have  not  pretended  to  assert  that  the  proposed  genus  may  not  eventually 
be  fully  established  upon  well  marked  characters,  but  I  must  still  say,  that 
it  cannot  be  considered  as  established  upon  the  three  characters  which 
Mr.  Stutchbury  has  propounded  as  distinguishing  it  from  Cassis;  these 
three  characters  it  will  be  remembered  are,  1st.  the  absence  of  epider- 
mis, and  I  have  shown  that  Mr.  Stutchbury's  typical  species  has  an  epi- 
dermis ;  2d.  the  absence  of  operculum,  and  I  have  shown  that  at  least 
one  of  the  species  associated  by  Mr.  Stutchbury  with  Cypraecassis  has 
an  operculum  ;*  and  3d.  the  absence  of  varices  except  in  the  adult  state, 

•  There  is  no  greater  reason  for  supposing  Mr.  Cuming  to  have  accidentally 
applied  the  operculum  of  some  other  animal  to  C.  coarctata,  than  there  might 
he  for  supposing  the  qperculum  of  C.  Testiculus  to  have  been  accidentally 
detached    from  the  foot   of  the   animal  before  it  was  put  into  the  spirit,  or 

B 


10 


and  I  have  shown  that  three  of  Mr.  Stutchbury's  species  form  either  in- 
ternal or  external  varices  at  various  periods  of  growth.  And  though  I 
thus  say,  I  do  not  intend  to  assert  that  these  facts  are  to  be  taken  as 
conclusive  against  the  establishment  of  the  proposed  genus,  but  only  as 
strongly  unfavourable  to  it. 

I  have  thought  it  necessary  to  make  these  preliminary  remarks,  be- 
cause the  treatment  I  have  experienced  in  consequence  of  my  observa- 
tions upon  this  subject,  is  such  as  would  have  prevented  me  from  con- 
tinuing to  bring  forward  the  numerous  facts  with  which  I  am  acquainted, 
had  I  not  been  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  fearlessly  giving  them 
publicity  even  at  the  risk  of  exposing  myself  to  such  misrepresentation  : 
for  these  facts  cannot  always  coincide  with  the  opinions  or  preconceived 
notions  of  certain  classes  of  writers,  the  profound  ignorance  of  some  of 
whom  is  only  equalled  by  their  arrogance.* 

I  shall  therefore  now  proceed  to  the  subject  of  the  present  communica- 
tion ;  only  premising  that  my  aim  and  intention  is  alone  the  advancement 
of  the  purity  and  exactitude  of  such  Natural  Sciences  as  may  be  in  a  greater 
or  less  degree  affected  by  my  facts.  The  form  in  which  I  shall  put  my 
observations  will  be  that  of  a  critical  analysis  of  the  various  published 
observations  and  assertions  relating  to  the  Melania  inquinata  o{  DeFrancCy 
and  I  shall  add  such  facts  as  I  have  had  the  opportunity  of  observing 
whether  corroborative  or  not  of  previously  published  opinions.  In 
order  to  avoid  frequent  references  I  have  placed  at  the  head  of  this  arti- 
cle the  direction  to  all  that  has  appeared  upon  this  subject,  down  to  this 
present  time,  as  far  as  I  know  of.  It  will  be  needful  in  the  first  place 
to  ascertain  what  are  the  precise  characters  of  Melania  inquinata  accord- 
ing to  DcFrance;  then  I  must  enquire  how  far  the  yb55z7  shells  given 
under  that  name  by  Deshayes  agree  with  the  true  Melania  inquinata  of 
DeFrance ;  next   I  must  institute    a  careful  comparison  of  this  fossil 

that  it  might  not  actually  have  been  detatclied  by  the  sudden  contractions. 
of  the  animal  upon  being  plunged  inlo  the  strong  spirit  in  which  it  was 
preserved. 

•  I  do  not  intend  to  include  among  these  writers  either  of  the  Mesjsrs, 
Stutchbury. 


11 

species  with  the  recent  one  which  Deshayes  asserts  to  he  identical  with 
it,  and  lastly  I  shall  bring  forward  such  facts  as  I  possess  and  as  are 
calculated  to  explain  or  to  enable  Naturalists  to  form  a  correct  judgment 
upon  the  subject. 

I  commence  then  with  my  endeavour  to  ascertam  what  are  the  precise 
characters  of  the  true  Melania  inquinata  of  DcFrance,  and  in  order 
that  I  may  net  lay  myself  open  to  a  charge  of  misrepresenting  DeFrance^ 
I  copy  verbatim,  what  he  has  said  about  it  in  the  Dictionnaire  des  Sci- 
ences naturelles,  "  Melanie  souillee :  Melania  inquinata,  DeF. ;  Ceri- 
thium  melanoides.  Sow.,  pi.  147,  f.  6,  7.  CoquiJle  conique,  turri- 
culee,  chargee  de  tubercules  et  de  cordons  transverses,  comrae  certains 
^speces  de  Cerites  ;  le  dernier  tour  est  charge  de  cinq  a  sept  cordons  et 
d'une  rangee  de  tubercules  a  sa  partie  superieure  ;  sur  les  autres  tours 
on  ne  voit  qu'une  ou^  deux  cordons  et  les  tubercules,  qui  onl  cela  de 
trfes  singulier,  que  souvent  ils  sont  brises  et  qu'a  leur  place  on  voit  une 
petite  cavite  ;  longueur  deux  pouces.  On  trouve  cette  espece  a  Wool- 
wich, a  Charlton  et  a  Southfleet  en  Angleterre,  a  Beaurein  departement 
de  la  Somme,  ou  elle  est  accompagnee  de  Paludines,  et  a  Epernay  avec 
des  Gyrenes.  Celles  de  Woolwich  el  de  Beaurein  ont  jusqu'a  douze 
tubercules  sur  chaque  tour,  et  quelques  individus  de  ce  dernier  lieu  en 
sont  presque  depourvus.  Celles  d'Epernay  en  ont  environs  huit  trfes 
marquees.  Je  n'ai  jamais  pu  rencontrer  une  seule  de  ces  coquilles 
ayant  I'ouverture  en  assez  bon  etat  pour  en  saisir  tous  les  caract^res  ; 
mais  Je  pense  qu'elles  dependent  du  genre  Melanie. 

Celles  qu'on  rencontrent  d  Epernai  et  a  Beaurein  se  trouve  dans  des 
couches  qui  touchent  a  la  partie  superieule  de  I'argile  plastique  et  du 
lignite,  audessous  du  calcaire  coquillier  et  il  y  a  lieu  de  croire  que 
celles  des  autres  localites  se  trouve  dans  les  memes  circonstances." 
Thus  far  Defrance  :  but,  it  will  be  seen,  that  as  far  as  the  general  de- 
scription thus  given  goes,  it  will  apply  with  equal  correctness  to  several 
things  which  may  nevertheless  be  perfectly  distinct  from  each  other ; 
he  refers,  however,  to  the  shell  figured  in  Mineral  Conchology  under 
the  name  Cerithium  melanioides,  as  a  representation  of  his  Melania 
inquinata  ;  the  fact  of  its  being  a  true  Melania  is  therefore  indubitable, 


V2 

and  the  author  of  MiiK-ral  Conchology  has  incorrrctly  placed  it  among' 
the  Cerithia,  and  he  has  been  unfortunate  in  selecting  a  specimen  for 
representation,  which  on  account  of  the  state  of  the  anterior  part  of  the 
columella,  has  the  appearance  of  justifying  this  view  of  it.  This  is, 
therefore,  the  shell  that  is  most  perfectly  identified  by  Defrance  as  his 
Melania  inquinata,  though  it  is  also  extremely  probable  that  he  has  not 
distinguished  from  it  other  shells  which  are  found  in  France.  In  re- 
lation, however,  to  the  above-mentioned  circumstance,  which  Defrance 
considers  very  singular,  namely,  that  the  tubercles  are  often  broken 
and  replaced  by  small  cavities,  I  must  not  omit  to  state,  that  it  can  only 
be  regarded  as  a  proof  that  the  shells  were  inhabitants  of  the  fresh  or 
brackish  waters  of  rivers,  lakes,  or  estuaries  ;  that  the  tubercles  are  not 
actually  broken,  but  eroded  in  the  same  manner  as  the  points  and  other 
prominent  parts  of  MeJaniae,  NcriliniE,  and  other  fresh  water  and 
estuary  shells  commonly  are,  such  erosion  being  continued,  until  in 
place  of  tubercles  a  small  cavity  has  been  formed.  These  little  cavities 
then  that  replace  the  tubercles  are  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  character  of 
the  species ;  and  the  first  result  of  the  examination,  as  far  as  I  have 
hitherto  gone,  is  that  the  shell  named  by  Sowerby  in  Mineral  Con- 
chology Cerithium  melanioides  is  the  Melania  inquinata  of  Defrance. 
I  find,  that  in  the  Index  to  Mineral  Conchology  it  is  referred  to  under 
the  name  "  Potamides  politus  (melanioides)"  by  which  I  understand 
J.  D.  C.  Sowerby  to  express  his  opinion,  that  this  is  one  of  those  shells 
that  may  with  propriety  be  separated  from  the  Cerithia  under  Brong- 
niart's generic  term  "  Potamides"  (in  French),  or  "  Potamis"  (in  Latin) : 
the  opinion  thus  expressed  isjikhowever,  not  compatible  with  fiict,  for 
the  shell  is  a  true  Melania. 

I  must  next  enquire  how  far  the  fossil  shells  given  by  Desliayes  under 
that  name,  agree  with  the  true  Melania  inquinata  of  Defrance.  And  to 
put  my  readers  in  possession  of  the  whole  subject  with  the  least  pos- 
sible trouble  to  them,  I  sliall  copy,  vk^ord  for  word,  what  Deshayes  has 
said  upon  it,  in  his  Description  des  Coquilles  fossiles  des  environs  de 
Paris. 


13 

"  Melanie  souillee.  Melanin  iiiqninala,  Dcf.  " 
M.  testa    elongato-turritd,  basi  striata  ;  avfractUms  suhconvexis,    in 

medio  angulatis ;  luherculis  depressis  serratis,  vcl  stria  procminen- 

tiore  ;  apcrlura  ooafa,  basi  dilatatd. 

Def.  Diet,  des  Sc.  nat.  tom.  29,  p.  469. 

Cerithiim.  melanioides,  Sow.,  MineralConchol.pl.  147,  f,  6,  7. 

Var.  a.     Testa  anfractihus  bistriatis ;  tuberculis  numerosioribvs. 

Var.  b.     Testa  iubercnlis  bifariain  separalis. 

Var.  c.  Testa  majorc  anfractihus  tristriatis  ;  stria  inferiore  aliquan- 
tisper  subtuberculatd. 

Localiles :  Epernay,  A.  P.  les  environs  de   Soissons  pour  la  var.  c. 

M.  Ferussac  possfede  I'analogue  vivant  de  cette  espece,  et  surtoiit  de 
notre  varifete  c.  Elle  vient,  a  ce  qu'il  nous  semble,  de  la  partie  meridio- 
nale  de  I'Asie.  On  trouve  en  Angleterre,  a  Headen  hill,  I'analogue  fos- 
sile,  que  Mr.  Sowerby,  a  cause  du  mauvais  etat  des  individus  qu'il  a  eus 
a  sa  disposition,  avoit  range  dans  le  genre  Cerite.  Cette  espece  est 
assez  grande,  turriculee,  attenuee  au  sommet  ou  un  peu  tronqufee ;  elle 
offre  dix  a  onze  tours  de  spire  legerement  convexes,  et  separes  par  une 
suture  superficielle.  Chaque  tour  de  spire  presente,  un  peu  audessous  du 
milieu,  une  rangeede  tubercules  saillans  un  peu  aplatis  et  assez  aigues;  le 
resteest  lisse  dans  le  plus  grand  nombre  des  individus.  A  la  base,  on 
remarque  cinq  ou  six  stries  saillantes ;  I'ouverture  est  ovale-oblongue,  la 
levre  droite  entiere  et  simple.  La  var.  a.  fig.  13,  14,  sereconnoita 
des  tubercules  plusnombreux  et  plus  serres,  aplatis  plutot  longitudinale- 
ment,  que  transversalement :  audessus  il  y  a  deux  stries  saillantes  et 
distantes.  La  var.  b.  est  singuliere  par  les  tubercules  qui  se  trouvent 
divises  transversalement  dans  leur  milieu  par  une  strie  profonde.  La  var. 
c.  n'est  pas  raoins  remarquable  que  la  precedente  ;  les  tubercules  sont 
presque  eflfaces ;  a  leur  place,  il  y  a  une  strie  saillante  qui  ofFre  des 
tubercules  tr^s  petits,  a  peine  saillans ;  audessus  de  cette  strie  il  y  a 
ordinairement  trois  autries  simples.  Cette  variete,  qui  paraitdependre  de 
la  localite  ou  on  la  trouve,  est  plus  grand  que  les  autres,  et  est  generale- 
ment  plus  large  a  la  base.  Longueur  quarante-cinq  millimetres :  lon- 
gueur de  la  variete  c,  cinqiiante  millimetres." 


14 

Now,  tliat  this  may  be  correctly  understood,  I  must  state,  that  irt 
the  above  description  Deshayes  speaks  of  the  apex  of  the  shell  as  the 
summit,  and  of  the  anterior,  wider  part  as  the  base,  though  he  places 
his  figure  exactly  in  the  reverse  position,  putting  the  anterior  wider 
part  upwards,  and  the  apex  downwards  ;  and,  moreover,  that  the  ex- 
pressions "  audessous''  and  "  audessus"  in  the  above  description  are  to 
be  taken  in  reference  to  the  position  in  which  the  figures  are  placed  in 
his  plate,  and  not  with  reference  to  what  he  has  called  summit  and  base 
in  his  description. 

Taking  the  above  description  alone,  and  without  further  reference  to 
the  figures  than  is  necessary  to  understand  it  correctly,  there  is  nothing 
in  it  to  lead  any  one  to  suppose  that  Deshayes  is  describing  a  different 
thing  from  Defrance,  and  the  conclusion  must  be  drawn,  that  his 
Melania  inquinata  is  identical  with  Defrance's  and  Sowerby's  :  but  any 
one  would  be  led  greatly  to  doubt  the  identity  of  the  species  who  placed 
any  dependence  upon  the  figures  in  Deshayes,  which  are  very  little  like 
the  shell  represented  in  Mineral  Conchology,  and  not  much  more  like 
five  authentic  specimens  at  present  in  my  possession,  which  represent 
two  of  the  varieties  from  different  localities  in  France  ;  indeed,  these 
figures  of  Deshayes  are  such,  that  I  think  it  would  scarcely  be  possible  to 
identify  the  fossil  by  them  alone,  and  without  the  aid  of  other  figures 
and  descriptions.  The  second  result  of  this  examination  is,  nevertheless, 
that  Deshayes'  fossil  Melania  inquinata  is  identical  with  Defrance's,  and 
that  they  are  represented  in  this  country  by  the  shell  named  Cerithium 
melanioides  in  Mineral  Conchology  ;  afterwards  altered  in  the  Index  to 
the  sanie  work,  to  Potamides  politus  (melanioides)  but  which,  con- 
sequently ought  to  bear  the  name  of  Melania  inquinata  of  Defrance. 

I  must  now  institute  a  comparison  of  this  fossil  species  with  the 
recent  one,  which  Deshayes  asserts  to  be  identical  with  it.  For  this  pur- 
pose I  refer  to  the  Mag.  de  Conchyliologie,  page  and  plate  1 3,  and  I 
transcribe  word  for  word  his  statement  relative  to  it. 

"  M.  souiLLEE.     M.  inquinata,  Defrance.     Deshayes. 
Testa  transverse  multistriata,    apice  costata ;    costis  longitudinalibus ; 
stria  unica.  superiore  nodulosa. 


15 

Long.  40  mill. ;   larg.  16  mill. 

Nous  avous  annonce  dans  notre  ouvrage  sur  les  fossiles  des  environs 
de  Paris  (tome  II.  page  105)  que  la  Melanie  souillee,  si  abondarament 
repandue  a  I'etat  fossile  dans  le  bassin  de  Paris  et  en  Angleterre,  se 
trouvait  aussi  vivante ;  nous  avions  cite  ce  fait  de  m^moire,  ayant  vu  la 
coquille  vivante,  quelques  annees  auparavant  dans  la  collection  de 
M.  De  Ferussac  ;  aujourd'hui  que  nous  possedons  aussi  cette  espece  a 
I'etat  recent,  nous  en  donnons  une  figure  que  Ton  pourra  facilement 
comparer  avec  celles  qui  sout  dans  notre  ouvrage  ;  on  s'assurera  par  ce 
moyen  de  I'identite  des  individus  vivants  et  fossiles,  et  Ton  s'apercevra 
que  I'individu  figure  ici  est  une  vari^te  a  ajouter  a  celles  qui  sont 
connues.  II  a  quelques  stries  de  plus  vers  la  suture,  et  n'a  sur  chaque 
tour  qu'une  seule  strie  transverse  qui  soit  tuberculeuse.  Nous  renvoyons 
pour  le  reste  de  la  description,  soit  a  notre  ouvrage,  dans  I'endroit 
precite,  soit  a  I'article  Melanie  du  Dictionnaire  des  Sciences  Naturelles, 
par  M.  Defrance.     Patrie  :  les  Phillippines. 

Juin,  1830.  Dkshayes. 

Let  me  now,  before  instituting  a  comparative  examination  of  the  fossil 
and  recent  shells,  first  compare  the  figures  and  desciiptions  of  Deshayes, 
in  compliance  with  his  invitation.  It  will  be  seen  upon  making  this 
comparison  that  there  are  several  points  in  which  the  recent  differs  from 
the  fossil  shells  ;  the  first  of  these  is  the  form  of  the  volutions,  which  in 
the  figure  of  the  recent  shell  are  represented  as  being  wider  in  propor- 
tion to  their  length,  and  more  convex  than  in  the  figures  of  the  fossil ; 
the  next  is  the  suture,  which  is  represented  as  much  more  deeply  placed 
in  the  recent  than  in  the  fossil,  in  which  latter  Deshayes  says  it  is  super- 
ficielle'^ ;  then  the  form  of  the  aperture  is  represented  in  the  fossil  as 
smaller  and  rounder  than  in  the  recent ;  the  appearance  of  a  thickened 
margin  is  also  given  to  the  figures  of  the  fossil,  while  in  the  recent 
figure  the  margin  is  made  to  appear  thin  and  sharp-edged  :  next,  in  the 
description  the  recent  shell  is  said  to  have  longitudinal  ribs  at  the  apex 
fapice  costatd ;  costis  longitudinalibusj  and  in  the  figure  these  longi- 
tudinal ribs  are  made  to  extend  more  or  less  distinctly  nearly  over  the 
whole  shell,  but  these  ribs  are  neither  mentioned  in  the  description  nor 
do  tiiey  at  all  appear  in  any  of  the  figures  of  the  fossil  varieties;    then 


IG 


in  the  fossil,  there  are  no  striae  either  represented  in  the  figures  of  the 
varieties,  or  mentioned  in  the  descriptions  above  or  nearer  the  apex  than 
the  row  of  tubercles,  whereas  in  the  figure  of  the  recent  shell  several 
striae  are  represented  in  that  position,  and  in  the  description  he  ex- 
presily  mentions  them  ;  ('■'■  II  a  quelques  stries  de  plus  vers  la  suture'''  J. 
It  is  therefore  evident  that  Deshayes'  recent  is  really  different  in  several 
respects  from  his  fossil  shell,  whether  it  is  merely  another  variety  (which 
he  asserts  it  to  be)  or  a  distinct  species  is  a  question  upon  the  considera- 
tion of  which  I  shall  presently  enter.  But  I  must  first  observe,  in  rela- 
tion to  his  description  of  the  recent  shell,  that  he  commences  with  a 
new  character  of  the  species,  evidently  for  the  alone  purpose  of  bring- 
ing in  this  shell ;  which  he  moreover  asserts  to  be  "  une  variete  a 
ajouter  a  celles  qui  sent  connues."  In  effect  Deshayes  proves  by  his 
own  descriptions  and  figures  that  his  recent  is  different  from  his  fossil 
species  and  he  is  at  variance  with  himself,  for  notwithstanding  he  has 
given  us  a  figure  which  any  oae  may  easily  compare  with  the  figures 
of  the  fossil  which  he  has  given  in  his  other  work,  I  would  ask,  how  is 
it  possible  that  any  one  who  may  take  this  trouble  will  be  assured  of  the 
identity  of  the  recent  and  fossil  individuals  since  he  tells  us  that  the 
I'ecent  one  is  a  variety — if  it  be  a  variety  it  is  not  identical.  This  is 
too  much  in  accordance  with  Lamarck's  absurd  dictum,  conveyed  in  the 
following  words  which  are  to  be  found  in  the  245th.  page  of  the  7th. 
volume  of  his  Histoire  naturelle  des  Animaux  sans  vertfebres,  "  a 
Vegard  des  produits  de  la  Mature,  tons  sont  varietes  les  uns  des  autres, 
ce  que  constate  partout  I' observation  des  avoisinans'^;  I  have  neither  time 
nor  talent  for  entering  upon  so  large  a  field  of  enquiry,  I  would  only 
ask  one  question  ;  If  this  be  true  ;  if  the  Lion,  the  Eagle,  the  Crocodile, 
the  Snake,  the  Flying  Fish,  the  Beetle,  the  Polyp,  the  Molluscum,  &c.  &c. 
be  merely  varieties  one  of  another,  why  do  Naturalists  labour  upon 
systems  and  endeavour  to  ascertain  the  natural  affinities,  and  to  found 
upon  them  classes  and  orders  and  families  and  genera  and  species?  Here 
is  the  ready  answer  to  all  their  researches  "  Thev  are  all  varieties, 

ONE  OF  another." 

But  I  think  I  shall  be  able  to  show  by  a  compaialive  examination  of 
the  recent  and  fossil  shells  thcmselces  that  they  ought  to  be  regarded  as 


17 

distinct  species.  Of  the  recent  one  I  have  before  me  five  specimens 
which  represent  three  varieties ;  and  in  all  these  the  volutions  are  wider 
in  proportion  to  their  length,  than  the  corresponding  varieties  of  the 
fossil ;  their  apertures  are  consequently  larger  and  wider  in  proportion ; 
their  volutions  are  more  rounded,  their  sutures  more  distinct ;  in  all  of 
them  there  exist  more  or  less  distinctly  marked  longitudinal  ribs  (which 
are  not  to  be  seen  at  all  in  the  fossil ;)  and  in  all  of  them  there  are  also 
longitudinal  striae  between  the  tubercular  ridge  and  the  suture  ;  so  that 
here  are  no  less  than  five  characters  in  which  the  recent  appears  constantly 
to  differ  from  the  fossil  shell.  Besides  the  above  characters  I  may  also 
mention  that  the  aperture  of  the  recent  is  very  different  from  that  of  the 
fossil  which  may  be  easily  proved  by  a  comparative  examination  of  the 
lines  of  growth. 

I  am  disposed  to  think,  taking  the  above  characters  in  which  the 
recent  are  found  thus  constantly  to  differ  from  the  fossil  shells,  in  combi- 
nation with  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  nearly  parallel  varieties  in  both, 
that  the  recent  ought  to  be  regarded  as  a  distinct  species  from  the  fossi} 
and  in  this  view  of  the  subject  I  propose  the  following  as  the  diagnostics 
of  the  two  species. 

I.     Melania  inquinata,  Defr. 

Tests,  elongato-turrita  tevi,  anfractibus  decern,  gradatim  crescentibus, 
subconvexis,  postice  prop^  suturam  angulatis,  ad  angulum  tubercu- 
latis,  tuberculis  depressis;  antic^  plerumque  lineis  transversis  non- 
nuUis  pliis  miniisve  elevatis,  nonnunquam  interruptis;  inter  angulum 
et  suturam  planis ;  sutura  subinconspicua ;  apertura  ovata,  posticfe 
emarginata,  antic^  dilatata;  long.  2' 4,  lat.  0'72  poll. 

2.     Melania  Philippinarum, 

Testa  elongato-turrita,  laeviter  subgranosa,  anfractibus  convexis,  longi- 
tudinaliter  subcostatis,  postice  prope  suturam  subangulatis,  ad  angu- 
lum  tuberculatis,    tuberculis  subdepressis,    anticfe   posticeque  lineis 
•  transversis  nonnuUis  plus  minusve  elevatis,  nonnunquam  interruptis; 

c 


18 


sutura    distincta :     aperturS.    ovala,     posticfe     subsinuata,      antice 

dilatata;  long.  2'55,  lat.  0-95,  poll. 

My  specimens  of  the  recent  species  were  received  lately  from  Ma- 
nilla. The  fossil  is  found  abundantly  in  a  bed  of  marie,  intermingled 
with  Cyrense  and  fragments  of  shells,  above  a  thick  bed  of  white  sand, 
between  Charlton  and  Woolwich,  in  Kent ;  also  in  several  other  parts 
of  England ;  and  in  several  localities  in  France.  The  best  representa- 
tions of  the  fossil  are  those  given  in  Mineral  Conchology.  1.  c.  I  have 
never  seen  a  single  specimen  of  the  fossil  with  the  outer  lip  complete: 
but  it  is  easy  to  trace  the  form  of  it  by  the  lines  of  growth,  which  are 
sometimes  very  strongly  marked.  In  order  that  this  subject  may  be  as 
fully  illustrated  as  possible  I  have  added  a  correct  representation  of  each 
of  the  varieties  of  each  species. 

Naturalists  will  now  be  able  to  form  their  own  opinions  as  to  the 
identity  or  non-identiiy  of  these  recent  and  fossil  shells. 

References  to  Plate  I. 

Fig.  ],  2,  3.     Tubercular  varieties  of  Melania  Philippinarum  nobis. 
a.  a.     the  space  between  the  posterior  tubercular  ridge  and  the 
suture. 
4.     Variety  of  Melania  Philippinarum  nobis,  without  a  tubercular 
ridge. 
a.  a.     The  space  between   the  posterior  ridge  that  is  usually 

tuberculated  and  the  suture. 
h.  b.     Distinct  lines  of  growth  showing  the  form  of  the  outer 
hp. 

5.  Melania  inquinata,  Defr. 

a,  a.     The  space  between  the  posterior  tubercular  ridge  and  the 
suture. 

6.  Melania  inquinata,   Defr.,  a  specimen  showing  the  manner 

in  which  the  tubercles  of  the  posterior  ridge  are  com- 
monly eroded. 
a.  a.     The  space  between  the  posterior  tubercular  ridge  and  the 
suture. 


19 

7.     Melania  inquinata,  a  specimen  to  show  the  form  of  the  outei 

lip,  comparatively  with  fig.  4. 
a.  a.     The  space  between  the  posterior  tubercular  ridge  and  the 

suture, 
i.  I).     Distinct  lines  of  growth  showing  the  form  of  the  outer 

lip,  comparatively  with  b.  b.  of  fig.  4. 

Art.  II.  RiXTiFiCATioN  of  some  mistakes  relative  to  the  Genera  Crania 
Retzius  and  Orbicula  of    Lamarck,    which   have  been   committed 
by  various  Authors  :  by  G.  B.  Sowerby,  F.L.S.,  &c. 

That  men  of  science  and  naturalists  are  every  day  more  and  more  fully 
convinced  of  the  necessity  of  exactness  or  precision,  is  proved  by  the 
comparative  care  and  attention  to  minutias  with  which  their  researches 
are  conducted  at  the  present  time,  in  contradistinction  to  the  apparent 
negligence  and  inattention  to  important  circumstances,  which  formerly 
characterized  their  discriminations.  Even  geologists,  who  formerly  paid 
so  little  attention  to  specific  differences,  and  who  considered  every  fossil 
without  exception  as  a  result  of  the  Noachian  deluge,  appear  now  to 
think  it  necessary  before  drawing  their  conclusions,  to  make  themselves 
acquainted  with  the  generic  and  specific  distinctions  of  the  fossils  which 
characterize  different  geological  periods,  inaismuch  as  they  find  that  their 
conclusions  may  be  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  confirmed  or  invalidated 
in  proportion  to  the  exactness  with  which  they  may  have  deduced  them 
from  facts.  It  is  now  well  known  that  every  thing  in  nature  is  governed 
by  fixed  laws,  therefore  those  who  wish  to  become  acquainted  with  her 
works  must  be  extremely  precise  and  attentive  in  their  pursuit  of  this 
knowledge. 

For  this  reason,  when  I  am  convinced  that  any  of  my  fellow  students 
have,  in  consequence  of  carelessness  or  inattention  in  conducting  their 
researches,  arrived  at  incorrect  conclusions,  I  consider  it  to  be  my  duty 
to  endeavour,  if  in  my  power,  to  set  them  right ;  and  for  the  same 
reason  I  am  happy  when  any  who  are  farther  advanced  in  any  particular 
branch-of  thi.;  study  than  I  am,  think   so  well  of  my  labours  as  to  take 


20 


the  trouble  to  instruct  and  correct  aie.  I  am  so  well  aware  of  the  rea! 
imperfections  attending  the  labours  of  even  the  best  informed  that  I 
never  will  be  displeased  at  the  exposure  of  my  own  imperfections, 
indeed  it  will  always  give  me  pleasure  when  convinced  of  them 
to  acknowledge  my  errors.  In  my  published  works  I  am  aware  that  some 
errors  have  obtained  publicity — some  of  them  caused  by  misapprehen- 
sion, some  also  I  fear  by  inadvertence,  and  I  am  determined,  as  oppor- 
tunity occurs  to  point  them  out  and  give  the  necessary  corrections.  I 
may  consider  it  rather  a  fortunate  circumstance  for  me,  that  most  of  these 
errors  are  of  such  a  nature  that  there  exist  very  few  persons  who  are  able 
to  detect  them.  The  present  paper  may  be  considered  as  the  first  fruits 
of  such  determination. 

I  would  therefore  engage  the  attention  of  malacological  students  to  the 
subject  of  the  Ibllowing  references  . — 

DisciNA,  Lamarck  Hist.  Nat.  des  Anim  .  sans  vert,  tome  vi.  Ire 
partie,  p.  236. 

Crania,  ibid.  p.  237. 

Orbicula,  ibid.  p.  242. 

Remarks  on  the  Genera  Crania  and  Orbicula  of  Lamarck,  Trans,  of 
Linn.  Soc.  vol.  XIIL  p.  465,  by  G.  B.  Sowerby. 

Crania,      i  Sowerby's  Genera  of  Recent  and  Fossil  Shells,  Nos. 

Orbicula, f       12  and  13. 

'I  Fleming's  History  of  British  Animals,  p.p.  376,  377. 

CRIOPUS,f  *  ^  '11' 

Discina,  Turton's  Conchylia  Insul,  Brit.  p.  237. 

And  I  have  referred  to  these  five  works,  because  there  is  in  every  one 
of  them  some  error  in  connection  with  this  subject. 

I  commence  with  Lamarck  for  two  reasons, — because  he  is  the  first 
in  order  of  publication  and  because  it  appears  that  almost  all  the  errors 
in  the  other  works  have  been  caused  by  too  implicity  relying  on  his 
correctness.  The  genus  Crania  was  adopted  by  DeBlainvilleand  Brugiiiere 
from  Retzius  and  may  be  considered  as  a  perfectly  well  established  genus; 
Lamarck  appears  to  have  adopted  it  in  reliance  upon  those  authors  with- 
out being  in  the  slightest  manner  acquainted  with  it  himself;  afterwards 


•21 


finding  the  Patella  anomala'm  Miiller's  Zoologia  Danica  and  not  recog- 
nizing their  identity,  though  he  appears  to  have  observed  a  degree  of 
resemblance,  he  seems  to  have  founded  his  genus  Orbicula  partly  upon 
Miillers  plate  and  partly  upon  some  recent  specimens  of  a  very  different 
thing  which  existed  in  the  collections  at  Paris  at  the  time.  Miiller's 
Patella  anomala  is  however  absolutely  identical  with  the  Crania 
Personata,  consequently  Lamarck's  genus  Orbicula  must  be  entirely 
abandoned  unless  it  can  be  used  as  applied  to  that  other  very  different 
thing  which  Lamarck  had  under  his  observation  at  the  same  time 
and  which  he  did  not  distinguish  fron)  Miiller's  Patella ;  and  this  is 
what  I  think  ought  to  be  done.  But  this  is  not  the  end  of  the  confusion 
caused  by  Lamarck's  inattention  ;  for  upon  receiving  from  my  Father 
some  specimens  of  a  small  attached  bivalve  which  I  found  among  some 
Ballast,  and  not  identifying  them  with  the  other  similar  things  which  he 
had  before  considered  as  identical  with  Miiller's  Patella  anomala,  he  has 
put  these  into  another  place  in  his  Systeme,  under  the  name  of  DisciNA 
ostreoides.  Thus  his  genus  Orbicula  has  been  formed  in  a  great  measure 
upon  a  shell  which  is  identical  with  his  Crania,  but  separated  from  it  by 
being  placed  among  the  Brachiopodes,  while  Crania  stands  in  the  Rudis- 
tes ;  and  his  genus  Discina  has  been  made  out  of  another  thing  which 
properly  belongs  to  Orbicula,  but  separated  from  it  by  being  placed 
among  the  Rudistcs,  while  Orbicula  stands  among  the  Brachiopodes. 
Lamarck  should  also  have  referred  Poli's  Anomia  turbinata  to  Crania 
and  not  to  Orbicula. 

I  mutt  now  acknowledge  my  own  errors,  which  have,  however,  princi- 
pally, if  not  entirely  been  caused  by  my  placing  implicit  confidence 
in  the  correctness  of  Lamarck.  The  first  and  leading  error  of  which  I 
have  been  guilty  is  that  of  having  adopted  Lamarck's  incorrect  notion  by 
supposing  the  Patella  anomala  of  Miiller  to  be  distinct  from  Crania 
and  regarding  it  as  forming  the  typical  species  of  Orbicula ;  my  next 
error  has  been  that  of  identifying  the  shell  I  found  among  Ballast  with 
Orbicula  norvegica  of  Lamarck  whereas  it  ought  to  have  been  placed 
as  a  new  species  of  that  genus.  These  errors  of  mine  appeared  first  in 
the  Linn.  Trans,  and  they  have  been  continued  in  my  work  on  the  Genera. 


2:2 


Now  that  [  am  convinced  of  them  I  have    much  pleasure  in  giving  the 
corrections. 

Turton,  whose  work  on  the  British  Bivalves  stands  next  in  order  of 
date,  has  inadvertently  united  the  true  Crania  and  Qrhicula  together, 
giving  them  the  name  of  Discina :  his  mistake  is  however  of  little 
importance  because  he  never  can  be  regarded  as  authority  upon  this 
subject. 

I  now  come  to  Fleming,  "  who  gives  a  place  to  Discina  ostreoides  of 
Lamarck,  even  without  good  proof  of  its  British  origin,  for  the  purpose 
of  rectifying  some  strange  mistakes  in  nomenclature  which  have  been 
oommilted  in  reference  to  this  and  the  following  genus"  (which  is 
Criopus,  of  Poli)  but  this  author  who  thus  makes  his  appearance,  "  ex 
Cathedra,  "  to  set  us  all  right,  has  neither  hit  upon  the  first  and  great 
cause  of  all  the  errors,  nor  has  he  corrected  the  real  errors,  and  he  has 
moreover  made  some  addition  to  their  number.  He  does  not  tell  us 
what  are  the  mistakes  that  he  intends  to  rectify,  we  are  left  to  find  them 
out,  if  we  can:  but  we  are  to  take  his  version  of  the  matter,  without 
his  having  condescended  to  give  us  a  reason  for  any  part  of  it  and  we 
are  to  conclude,  with  implicit  reliance  upon  his  correctness,  that  he  has 
rectified  every  mistake  that  had  been  committed  by  all  authors  who  have 
written  upon  the  subject  down  to  the  time  of  his  advent.  We  shall  now 
see  how  he  has  done  this — in  the  first  place  he  lias  adopted  Lamarck's 
genus  Discina  which  ought  to  have  been  expunged  from  the  system  al- 
together, and  has  added  to  it  three  fossil  species  of  Orbicula  which  have 
been  published  in  the  Zoological  Journal  and  in  Mineral  Conchology  : 
then  for  the  Crania  he  has  used  the  name  Criopus  which  Poli  gave  to  the 
animal  alone  instead  of  using  the  name  which  had  long  before  been 
given  to  the  shell  by  Retzius  and  adopted  by  all  authors,  except  those  of 
the  Linnean  School :  and  then  further,  without  giving  any  reason,  asserts 
it  to  be  probable  that  Crania  of  Lamarck  is  distinct  from  Criopus.  He 
also  says  that  I  have  asserted  the  Orbicula,  of  Lamarck  to  differ  only  in 
the  greater  thickness  and  irregularity  of  the  lower  valve  from  the  type  of 
the  genus  Criopus  of  Poli.  Whereas,  what  I  have  said  is  this,  '•  The 
only  difference  observable  between  the  specimens  (of  what  I  have  called 


23 


Crania  personata  of  Lamarck)  from  Shetland  and  those  from  the  Mediter- 
ranean is  in  the  thickness  and  irregularity  of  the  lower  valve".  The 
Discina  ostreoidcs  of  Turton  is  composed,  as  we  have  already  stated,  of 
two  different  things  (one  from  the  description  being  an  Orbicida  and  the 
other  from  the  synonyms  a  Crania)  Fleming  has  therefore  been  incor- 
rect in  quoting  it  only  under  his  Criopus,  Fleming  has  moreover  com- 
mitted a  mistake  in  coining  a  word,  which  he  has  used  loithout  explana- 
tion, in  his  description.  Of  the  signification  of  this  word  "areulated'^  it 
is  impossible  to  form  any  conjecture;  I  thought  at  first  that  it  was  only 
the  accidental  admission  of  a  supernumerary  letter,  and  that  it  ought  to 
be  read  "arcuated;"'^  but  when  I  looked  for  these  two  arched,  or 
arcuated,  subcentral  muscular  impressions  in  a  number  of  upper  valves 
of  Crania  which  lie  before  me  at  the  moment  of  writing  this,  my  search 
was  entirely  unsuccessful,  and  I  remained  ignorant  of  the  signification  of 
his  new  word.  I  wish  Fleming  had  condescended  to  favour  us  with  the 
signification  of  several  other  words  which  we  frequently  meet  with  in  the 
same  work,  and  which,  being  quite  new  to  us,  we  cannot  perfectly 
understand.  Such  things  as  these  are,  however,  of  trifling  importance 
when  compared  with  the  interminable  mistakes  and  absurdities  which 
disgrace  the  History  of  British  Animals,  by  Dr.  Fleming. 

I  must  now  conclude  by  correcting  two  other  errors  which  I  have 
committed,  both  depending  upon  the  same  cause  as  the  first.  Poli  was 
quite  right  in  identifying  Miiller's  Patella  anomala  with  his  own  Criopus. 
And  De  Blainville  has  been  mistaken  in  referring  the  shell  which  I 
found  among  ballast  to  Patella  anomala  of  Miiller  ;  but  he  has  rightly 
referred  it  to  Orbicula. 

Art,  III.  A  DESCRIPTIVE  CATALOGUE  of  the  species  of  Leach's  Genus 
Margarita. 

§  1.  Testa  non  umbilicata. 
1.  Margarita  taeniata.  Testa  orbiculari-subconica,  tenui,  laevis^ima, 
albida,  transversim  rufo-vittata ;  anfractibus  quinque  subro- 
tundatis,  ultimo  multo  majore ;  sutura  indistincta ;  apertura 
ferfe  orbicular!,  columella  subincrassata,  extus  depressiuscula ; 
long.  0-85.   lat.  1  poll.   Conch,   lUustr,   Marg.  f.  2. 


24 


Syn.  Turbo  taeniatus,  Sowerby  in  Tank.  Cat,  App.  p.  xiii. 
Hab.  ad  oras  Americse  meridionalis. 

2.  Margarita  violacea.     Testa  orbicuiari-subconica,  tenui,  Isevi,  rufes- 

cente ;  anfractibus  quatuor,  tumidis ;  sutura  subobsoleta  ;  aper- 
tura  fere  orbiculari,  infra  subangulata ;  columella    subincrassata, 
subarcuata,  sulco  longitudinali  instructa  ;  long.  0*4.  lat.  0'45. 
poll.  Conch.  Illustr.  Marg.  f.  11,   12. 
Syn.  Margarita  violacea,  King  Zool.  Journ.  vol.  t.  p.  346. 
Hab.  ad  fretum  Magellanicum  (Port  Famine.) 
Obs.     Of  this  shell  the  Indians  make  their  necklaces  ;    it  is  found  ad- 
hering to   the  leaves  of  Fucus   giganteus,    and  is  the  principal 
food  of  the  racehorse  duck  (Capt.  King).     This  shell  is  usually 
of  a  dull  reddish  colour  (not  violaceous),  but  sometimes  it  is  of  a 
pale  dull  yellov^rish  brown. 

3.  Margarita  expansa.     Testa  orbiculari,  lata,  tenui,  Igevi,  rufescente, 

anfractibus  quatuor  subrotuudatis,  levatiusculis,  ultimo  maximo  ; 

suturis  subinconspicuis ;  apertura  orbiculari ;  columella  latius- 

cula,  arcuata,  sulco  longitudinali  instructa  ;  long.  0'5.  lat.  0*55, 

poll.  Conch.  Illustr.  Marg.  f.  16. 

Variat  colore  pallido.     Conch.  Illustr.  Marg.  f.  17. 

Hab.  ad  fretum  Magellanicum  (Port  Famine). 

4.  Margarita  sigaretina.     Testa    orbiculari-subdepressa,    tenui,  laevi, 

rufescente;  anfractibus  tribus,  tumidis,  posticfe  depressiusculis, 
ultimo  maximo;  sutura  subinconspicua;  apertura  maxima,  sub- 
orbiculari,  subobliqua;  columella  latiuscula,  planulata,  arcuata, 
sulco  longitudinali,  indistincto  instructa;  long.  0'35,  lat.  0*5, 
poll.  Conch.  Illustr.  Marg,  f.  14. 
Variat  colore  pallido. 

Hab.    ad  fretum  Magellanicum  (Port  Famine) 
§  2.  Testa  umbilicata. 

5.  Margarita   vulgaris.  Leach.     Testa   orbiculari,    subdepressa,    tenui, 

nitida,   pallescente  :   anfractibus  quatuor,  subtumidis,  depressi- 
usculis, ultimo  majori ;    sutura    profunda,    apertura     magna. 


25 

suborbiculari,    postice   angulau ;  umhilico    magno,     profundo  : 

long.  0-1,  lat.  0-15.  poll.  Conch.  lUustr.  f.  13. 

Hab:  ad  littora  Britannica. 

Syn.  Turbo  Margarita,  Lowe   in   Zool.     Journ.    II.,    p.   107. 

tab.  v.,   f.  10.  11.  11.  b. 

Helix  margarita,  Laskey. 

6.  Margarita    carnea,  Lowe.     Testa    subconica,    spira    brevi,    apice 

elevato,  acuto ;  anfractibus- quatuor,  striis  elevatis,  regularibus 
subdistantibus  cinctis;  apertura  magna,  suborbiculari,  antice  sub- 
angulata;  umbilico  magno,  profundo :  Conch.  Illustr.  Marg.  f.  9. 
Hab :  ad  littora  Scotica.     (Oban) 

Syn.  Turbo  carneus,  Lowe  in  Zool.  Journ.  II.  p.  107.  tab.  V. 
f.  12.  13.  13.  b. 

7.  Margarita  striata.     Testa  conoidea,  anfractibus  sex  rotundatis,  spira- 

liter  striatis,  striis  elevatis,  posticis  distantibus,  anticis  approxi- 
matis,  umbilico  parvo ;  long.  0*85,  lat.  0*9,  poll.  Conch. 
I*iustr.  Marg.  f.  3.  18. 

Syn.  Margarita  striata,  Bred.  &  Sowerby  in  Zool.  Journ.  IV. 
p.  371. 

Hab,  in  Oceano  boreali. 

Obs.  This  shell  has  a  dull  surface  ;  its  longitudinal  striae  are 
decussated  by  very  fine  and  close-set  lines  of  growth. 

8.  Margarita  arctica  Leach.    Testa  orbiculari,  subdepressa,  tenui,  nitida, 

olivacea  :  anfractibus  quatuor,  tumidis,  ultimo  majori ;  sutura 
profunda  ;  apertura  orbiculari,  magna  ;  umbilico  magno  ;  pro- 
fundo ;  long.  0-15,  lat.  0-2,  poll.  Conch.  Illustr.  Marg,  f.  6. 

Syn.  Margarita  arctica,  Leach  in  Ross's  Voyage  of  Discovery} 
1819.     8vo. 

•  helicoides.  Beck,  MS. 

Hab,  in  mari  artico  (Baffin's  Bay,  Sabine  ;  Greenland,  Beck.) 

9.  Margarita  Graenlandica,  Beck,     Tesla  orbiculari,  tenui,  nitida,  pallida, 

spira  elevatiuscula  ;  anfractibus  quinque  rotundatis,  lineis  incre- 
menti  tenuissimis  solum  sculptis  ;  sutura  distinct^  ;  apertur4  sub- — "-*«>. 

1..    /^ V\tf>\ 


^A%*.\^J^ 


26 


orbiciilari;  umbilico  magno  ;  lons^.  0-5^  lat.  OSa.  poll.  Conch, 
lllustr.  Marg.  f.  10. 

Syn.  Margarita  Grcenlandica,  Beck,  M.S. 

Hab.  in  mari  Grsenlandico. 

10.  Margarita  umbilicalis.     Testa  orbiculari,  depressiuscula,  lenuissimfi, 

nitida,  cornea;  anfractibus  sex  subtumidis,  posticis  spiraliter  cos- 
tellatis  ;  sutura  distincta ;  apertura  orbiculari ;  umbilico  maximo ; 
long.  0-6,  lat.  0-8,  poll.  Conch,  lllustr.  Marg.  f.  5. 

Syn.    Margarita  umbihcalis,  Brod.  &  Sowerby,  Zool.  Jour. 

Hab.  ad  Insulam  Melville  dictam,  maris  arctici. 

11.  Margarita  sulcata.    Testa,    orbiculari,    depressiusculu,    tenuissiraa, 

nitida,  cornea  ;  anfractibus   sex,  subtumidis,  spiraliter  sulcatis, 
sulcis  tenuibus,  distantibus  J  sutura  distincta  ;  apertura  orbiculari ; 
umbilico  maximo :  long.   0*27,   lat,  046,  poll.  Conch.  lllustr. 
Marg.  f.   1. 
Hab.  ad  Insulam  Melville  dictam. 

12.  Margarita  undulata.     Testa  orbiculari,  obtuse  conica,  tenuij  rosacea, 

anfractibus  quatuor,    subtumidis,    spiraliter  sulcatis,    postic^  ad 
suturam  undulatis  ;  apertura  suborbiculari ;  umbilico  mediocri  I 
margine  angulato;  long.  0'26,    lat.  0' 33,  poll.  Conch.  lllustr. 
Marg.  f.  4. 
Hab.   in  mari  arctico. 

13.  Margarita  costellata.    Testa  orbiculari,  obtuse^  conica,  tenui,  fusces- 

cente  ;   anfractibus  quatuor,  turaidis,  spiraliter  costatis,  basi  sub- 
angulatis,  inferioribus  subinconspicuis  ;    apertura  suborbiculari. 
antice  subangulata  ;  umbilico  parvo  :    long.  0'3,  lat.  0'33,  poll. 
Conch:  lllustr.  Marg.  fig.  15. 
Hab.  in  mari  arctico. 

14.  Margarita  acuminata.     Testa  orbiculari,    tenui,  albicante,    spira 

acuminata,  anfractibus  quinque  rotundatis,  isevibus  ;  sutura  dis- 
tincta ;  apertura  orbiculari ;  umbilico  parvo  :  long,  0*55,    lat. 
0-5,  poll.     Conch.  lllustr.  Marg.  fig.  7. 
Hab,  in  mari  arctico. 

15.  Margarita  Solariiformis.    Testa  orbiculari,  <;ublenticulari.  tenuissima 


27 

anfractibus quinque,  laevigatis,  subplanulatis,  spiraliter  tenuissime 
striatis,  pallescentibus,  minutissimfe  albido-fuscoque  articulatim 
pictis ;  apertura  subquadrata  ;  unibilico  magno,  profundo : 
long.  O-2.5,  lat.  0-35.  Conch.  lUustr.  f.  8. 
Hab: 
Obs.  This  appears  to  be  an  osculeni  species,  connecting  Margarita 
with  Solarium. 

MiSCKLLANEOUS     OBSIrUiVATIONS, 

Some  time  since  I  was  surprised  at  learning  the  fact  that  the  toot  of 
C^yclostoma  elegans  is  longitudinally  divided  by  a  desp  groove,  which  had 
lately  been  observed  by  my  friend  Lewis  of  KeriSin2:ton,  though  it  had 
been  overlooked  by  Berkeley,  but  having  accidentally  met  with  the  work 
of  Rossmaesler  I  find  the  circumstance  is  distinctly  noticed,  and  several 
representations  given.  But  there  is  another  fact  relative  to  a  well  known 
land  shell  (the  Helix  epistylium)  first  pointed  out  to  me  by  the  same 
Gentleman,  which  I  believe  has  not  yet  been  noticed  in  any  publication. 
It  is  that  this  species  is  viviparous  and  its  young  are  fully  developed  be- 
fore they  quit  the  parent,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  young  of  Paludina 
achatina.  It  has  long  been  well  known  that  many  of  the  pneumono- 
branchous  Mollusca  lay  eggs,  which  are  covered  with  a  calcareous  crust 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  egg  of  Birds,  but  I  have  only  met  with  two 
species  to  which  the  term  viviparous  may  justly  be  applied.  This  Helix 
epistylium  is  one  instance,  and  the  other  is  a  small  turrited  species  of 
Achatina,  which  I  have  named  Jlchatina  vivipara  from  this  circum- 
stance. Three  or  four  fully  developed  young  shells  may  generally  be 
found,  upon  breaking  up  a  full  grown  shell,  occupying  commonly  a 
great  portion  of  the  second,  third  and  fourth  volutions  from  the  base. 
The  shell  is  commonly  about  an  inch  long,  consisting  of  about  nine 
volutions,  the  apex  being  blunt  and  rounded,  the  volutions  longitudinally 
striated  and  the  base  smooth  ;  the  whole  nearly  white,  semitransparent 
and  covered  with  a  thin  olivaceous  horny  epidermis  :  the  young  ones 
consist  of  three  volutions  bipfore  they  quit  the  parent. 


28 


Some  of  the  Lamarckian  j^mpullaricE  are  viviparous,  but  I  have  it  not 
in  my  ponrer  at  present  to  ascertain  vi^hich  species ;  the  circumstances, 
however,  which  I  am  about  to  mention  seem  to  prove  that  one  of  these 
viviparous  species  (if  there  be  more  than  one)  is  sometimes  reverse.  I 
had  once  a  parcel  of  Ampul  larise  in  a  small  tray,  which  I  had  packed 
up  in  a  box,  and  being  subjected  to  rather  violent  shaking  during  a  short 
Journey,  when  the  package  was  opened  there  were  found  in  the  tray 
about  twenty  very  young,  but  fully  formed  Ampullarise,  two  of  which 
were  reverse.  Now  as  there  was  not  a  single  reverse  AmpuUaria  among 
the  old  shells  that  were  packed  in  the  tray,  these  two  reverse  young  ones 
must  have  been  the  produce  of  one  that  was  not  reverse  and  most 
probably  belonged  to  the  same  brood  as  the  other  young  ones.  This 
must  have  been  one  of  those  species  of  Ampullarise  (hitherto  so  called 
which  have  an  horny  operculum,  for  all  the  young  ones  are  furnished 
with  such  an  operculum  ;  I  would  however  suggest  the  propriety  of 
separating  those  with  a  shelly  from  those  which  have  only  an  horny 
operculum,  if  this  has  not  already  been  done. 

A  word  on  the  subject  of  the  British  shell  commonly  called  Nerita 
littoreus  and  which  Lamarck  heis  named  Turbo  neritoides,  may  not  be 
misplaced.  The  foot  of  its  animal  is  divided  by  a  longitudinal  groove 
in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  Cyclostoma  elegans.  This  fact  was 
pointed  out  to  me  by  my  friend  Morris  of  Kensington,  a  few  weeks  ago 
at  Carnarvon.  This  shell  does  not  belong  to  the  true  Neritae,  and  it  is 
improperly  placed  by  Lamarck  among  the  Turbines,  it  appears  to  be 
more  nearly  related  to  the  Jjittorinae  ;  though  it  is  probable  that  upon  a 
more  intimate  acquaintance  with  it.  Naturalists  may  think  it  necessary  to 
regard  it  as  the  type  of  a  new  genus. 

Helix  Helmii,  Gilb.  This  appears  to  me  to  be  a  very  distinct  species, 
the  shell  is  of  a  very  pale  horn  colour,  almost  white,  and  extremely  thin  ; 
its  animal  is  of  a  dark  blue  grey  colour,  and  it  it  remarkable  that  it  is 
always  found  nj)on  the  ground  and  not  upon  the  surrounding  vegetation. 

I  have  lately  been  requested  by  my  friend  Morris  of  Kensington  to 
compare  some  fossil  Valvatae  which  he  has  found  at  Grays  in  Essex,   with 


29 


the  common  recent  species  Valvata  piscinalis  of  Lam.  Upon  examining 
my  specimens  of  this  latter  shell,  I  find  among  them  two  distinct 
varieties  or  perhaps  species.  It  is  remarkable  that  Fleming  in  his  specific 
character  of  this  shell  says  *'  pillar  with  a  large  central  cavity  " 
[or  umbilicus)  and  a  few  lines  after,  in  the  description,  he  says, 
"central  cavity  distinct^  but  not  large:"  but  it  is  also  remarkable  that 
one  principal  difference  between  the  two  varieties  or  species  (as  the  case 
may  be)  which  I  possess,  consists  in  this  very  circumstance ;  it  is  there- 
fore probable  thar  this  apparent  discrepancy  may  be  reconciled  by  the 
supposition  that  when  drawing  out  his  specific  character  Fleming  had  in 
view  a  specimen  with  a  large  umbilicus,  and  afterwards  when  giving  a 
more  detailed  description  he  accidentally  observed  one  with  a  small 
umbilicus.  1  am  much  disposed  to  regard  these  two  recent  sorts  as 
distinct  species,  but  I  should  prefer  leaving  it  undecided  until  an  oppo- 
tunity  occurs  of  examining  more  specimens  from  other  localities.  But 
I  must  compare  the  fossil  with  both  the  recent  sorts.  First,  let  me 
examine  comparatively  the  dimensions  of  the  three  ;  the  fossil  one 
(No.  1)  is  much  larger  than  either  of  the  recent  ones,  and  of  these 
latter,  that  with  the  large  umbilicus,  (No.  2.)  is  much  larger  than 
that  virith  the  small  umbilicus  (No,  3.).  Next,  let  me  examine  com - 
comparativel}  the /)ro/)or<zons  of  the  three  sorts;  No.  1,  iu  its  greatest 
length  measures  34  hundredths  of  an  inch,  and  in  its  greatest  breadth 
26  hundredths  ;  the  length  and  breadth  of  No.  2,  are  exactly  equal ;  and 
No.  3,  is  rather  wider  than  it  is  long ;  the  proportions  of  the  three  sorts 
differ  therefore  very  evidently.  Further,  as  regards  other  characters ; 
the  sutures  in  No.  1 ,  and  No.  2,  are  equally  distinct  and  deep,  while 
that  of  No.  3,  is  not  nearly  so  strongly  marked  :  the  volutions  in  No.  2, 
are  regularly  rounded,  while  those  of  No.  1,  increase  gradually  from 
the  upper  toward  the  lower  parts,  though  they  are  still  very  nearly  regu- 
larly rounded,  while  in  No.  3,  they  increase  still  more  gradually.  In 
No.  1,  there  are  six  volutions,  in  No.  2,  there  are  five,  and  in  No.  3, 
scarcely  four  and  an  half. 


30 


REVIEW. 

1.  A  Catalogue  of  Recent  Shells,  with  descriptions  of  new  or  rare 
species  in  the  Collection  of  John  C.  Jay,  M.  D.  second  edition 
JSfeiv  For^  1836,  illustrated  br/ four  plates. 

Here  is  a  Catalogue  of  Shells  consisting  of  nriore  than  4000  species, 
we  believe  the  most  extensive  that  has  yet  appeared  in  print.  As  such  vpe 
think  it  may  be  useful,  though  even  in  that  respect  it  is  evidently  far 
short  of  what  might  be  done  with  ease  at  the  present  time.  But  it  is 
sent  out  with  such  unpretending  modesty  that  criticism  is  disarmed,  and 
our  business  is  only  to  point  out  to  Dr.  Jay  a  few  of  the  most  important 
errors  and  to  offer  him  our  best  thanks  for  his  very  acceptable  little  book. 
First  then  let  us  inform  him  that  Aphrodite  Columha  of  Lea,  is  nei- 
ther more  nor  less  than  the  well-known  Cardium  Granlandicum  of 
Lamarck,  and  that  it  decidedly  belongs  to  the  family  of  the  Cardiacea, 
and  not  to  the  Conchce  Jluviatiles ;  secondly,  we  regret  that  Dr.  Jay  has 
not  informed  us  whose  genus  Dythalmia  is,  and  where  the  descrip- 
tion of  it  is  to  be  found  ;  we  ask  this  because  we  strongly  suspect  it  to 
be  the  same  thing  as  that  which  has  been  called  Drcissena  by  some 
continental  writer  and  no  other  than  the  Mytilas  Polymorphus  of  Gmel. 
We  mention  this  merely  because  we  would  take  this  opportunity  of 
cautioning  those  who  take  upon  themselves  the  responsibility  of  giving 
names,  to  endeavour  first  to  ascertain  what  has  been  done  by  others, 
and  not  hastily  to  give  a  generic  appellation  to  a  subject  which  may 
already  have  one  or  even  more.  We  do  not  intend  to  find  fault  with 
the  establishment  of  this  genus,  but  we  believe  this  will  prove  to  be  the 
second  generic  name  which  has  been  applied  to  it.  The  word  itself, 
moreover,  appears  to  us  to  be  of  Greek  derivation,  and  we  fear  it  is  not 
classically  compounded.  We  are  surprised  to  see  Laplysia  used,  in  this 
and  some  other  very  modern  works,  instead  of  the  corrected  term 
Aplysia.  But  we  say  no  more  at  present  on  nomenclature,  reserving 
some  hints  on  that  suhjcct  for  an  oppoilunity  of  giving  ihem  more  fully 


31 


and  more  generally.  Let  us  now  turn  to  Dr.  Jay's  plates,  v/e  shall  here 
find  that  he  has  described  and  figured  as  new  eleven  species,  most  of 
which  have  been  already  described  or  figured  long  since.  Fig,  1,  which 
Dr.  Jay  names  Pupa  ringcns  is  Clausilia  pantagruelina  of  Moricand* 
Fig.  2,  {Megaspira  Ruschenhergiana.  Lea,)  is  Pupa  elatior  of 
Wagner.  Fig.  3,  Bulimiis  melastomus%  of  Swainson,  Fig.  4,  [Pupa 
egregia  of  Dr.  Jay)  is  the  young  shell  of  Bulinus  bilabiatus  of  Sowerby, 
published  in  the  Zoological  Journal,  vol.  V.  p,  49,  and  afterwards 
B.  maximilianus  by  Moricand.  Fig.  6,  Ranella  pulchella  of  Gray. 
In  his  Fig,  8.  [Jlmpullaria  ochracea  of  Jay  ;)  we  see  nothing  but  one 
of  the  numerous  varieties  in  colour  of  Ampullaria  fasciata,  Lamarck. 
Fig,  10.  [Natica  imperforata.  Jay,)  was  described  under  the  name  of 
JSfatica  Jluctuata,  in  the  Tankerville  Catalogue  in  1825.  Fig.  11, 
[JVeritina  papillosa,  Jay,)  was  described  under  the  name  of  JVeritina 
granosa,  also  in  the  Tankerville  Catalogue. 

•  This  indeed  is  not  a  Clausilia,  neither  is  it  a  Papa. 
^   Wliich  ought  to  be  melanosloma. 


itdacol .  &  Candiol .  Akg- .   TaL.  J  . 


THE   YORKSHIRE    METEORITE. 


Mr.  G.  B.  SOWERBY  begs  to  state  that,  being  commissioned  by  those 
blanches  of  his  late  Father's  Family,  whose  property  the  famous  Yorkshire 
Meteorite  at  present  is;  he  has  adopted  a  plan  which  was  proposed  two  years 
ago,  and  a  short  address  which  was  drawn  up  at  that  time  by  a  Gentleman 
connected  with  the  British  Museum. 

December  13M.  1835. 

Whether  we  consider  Meteorites  as  foreign  to  the  confines  of  our  atmos- 
phere, as  ejections  or  fragments  of  Planets  moving  within  the  compass  of  the 
solar  system,  or  as  the  chemical  products  of  electrical  phaenomena, — certain  it 
is,  that  even  the  most  satisfactory  solution  of  the  Problem  respecting  their  origin 
would  neither  weaken  the  general  interest  which  must  ever  be  excited  by  each 
successive  appearance  of  these  mysterious  visitants  to  our  Planet,  nor  create 
indifference  toward  such  of  an  older  date,  as  are  distinguished  by  any 
peculiarity  in  their  nature,  or  by  any  remarkable  historical  circumstance 
connected  with  them.  In  the  latter  class  is  most  indisputably  to  be  placed  the 
far-famed  subject  of  this  short  address  which  fell  from  the  atmosphere  in  the 
Parish  of  Thwing,  East  Riding,  Yorkshire,  this  Day  Forty  Years  ago,  during 
which  period,  it  has  maintained  its  superiority  in  size  not  only  over  those  few 
which  descended  in  Great  Britain,  but  also  over  those  of  the  Continent, 
(as  far  as  we  know  of  their)  existence  with  the  sole  exception  of  that  of  Ensisheim, 
still  preserved  in  the  Capital  of  the  Territory  in  which  it  descended  in  1492. 
But  setting  aside  the  bulk  of  the  Yorkshire  Stone,  the  circumstance  alone  of 
its  being  intimately  connected  with  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  extra- 
ordinary Atmospheric  Phenonnenon  in  question,  will  ever  make  it  rank  as  one  of 
the  most  valuable  specimens  of  Natural  History  preserved  in  England.  In  it 
we  possess  the  principal  one  of  the  Three  Stones,  the  chemical  analysis  of 
which,  converted  into  certainty  an  opinion  which  was  till  then  (and  by  the 
more  sceptical  even  after  that  period,)  discarded  as  a  superstition  unworthy 
of  the  advanced  state  of  Natural  Science  at  the  end  of  the  Eighteenth  Century, 
Upwards  of  Thirty -eight  Years  ago,  its  exhibition  in  London  furnished  to 
many  learned  men  of  the  day,  a  theme  for  censure  on  the  blind  credulity  of 
the  Public,  till  Sir  Joseph  Banks's  keenly  discriminating  eye  discovered  an 
agreement  in  external  characters  between  it  and  tvvo  othei  Stones  transmitted 
to  him  about  the  same  time,  the  one  from  Sienna,  the  other  from  Benares,  in 
the  East  Indies,  and  to  both  of  which,  report  has  ascribed  a  similar  origin 
with  that  under  consideration.  Having  obtained  a  small  fragment  from  the 
latter,  a  portion  of  each  of  the  specimens  (subsequently  deposited  in  the 
British  Museum,)  was  submitted  to  chemical  analysis  by  Mr.  Howard, 
whose  excellent  paper  in  the  Philosophical  Transactions  for  1802,  secured  to 
the  Yorkshire  Meteorite  the  eminent  rank  it  has  ever  since  occupied  in  the 
record  of  facts  relating  to  this  interesting  subject  of  research. 

The  Yorkshire  Meteorite  is  well  known  to  have  become  the  property, 
and  to  be  still  in  the  possession  of,  the  family  of  the  late  Mr.  Sowkrby,  who 
now  intend  to  part  with  it.  Proposals  for  purchasing  it  by  Subscription,  with 
a  view  to  its  being  placed  in  the  British  Museum  are  accordingly  submitted 
to  the  Public  at  the  suggestion  of  several  Members  of  Scientific  Societies, 
who  are  of  opinion  that  its  interest  as  a  most  remarkable  object  of  the  Natural 
History  of  Great  Britain  will  secure  a  sufficient  number  of  Subscribers  to 
obviate  the  possibility  of  its  being  eventually  lost  to  this  Country  through 
offers  which  may  be  made  by  Continental  Museums. 

As  soon  as  £300.  shall  be  subscribed,  the  Meteorite  will  be  delivered  to 
the  Trustees  of  the  British  Museum,  together  with  a  List  of  the  Subscribers, 
which  will  then  be  printed,  and  each  Subscriber  will  be  furnished  with  a 
copy.  The  Subscription  Book  is  open  at  Mr.  SuWERBV's,  50,  Great  Russell 
Street,  Bloomsbury. 


NOW   READY. 


Part    I. 

OF  A 

MALACOLOGICAL  &  CONCHOLOGICAL 

WITH   GRAPHIC    ILLUSTRATIONS, 


CONDUCTED  BY 


G.    B.    SOVVERBY,    F.  L.  S. 


TO  BE  CONTINUED  MONTHLY. 


N.  B.     This  Magazine  is  printed  for  private 
gratuitous  distribution  only. 

Societies  and  Private  Individuals  desirous  of 
possessing  it  are  to  send  their  Names  or  Designations 
and  their  exact  Addresses,  at  their  own  expense,  to 
Mr.  SoWERBY,  50,  Great  Russell  Street,  Bloomsbury, 
London. 


Advertisements  cannot  be  inserted  mitess  sent  before  the  20/A 
of  each  month. 


CONCHOLOGICAL 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 


The  Cypraeadae  being  completed  in  the  131st  part  of  the  Concho- 
logical  Illustrations,  G.  B,  Sowerby,  Jun.  gladly  avails  himself 
of  the  opportiiiiity  to  return  thanks  to  his  subscribing  friends  for 
tlie  encouragement  hitherto  afforded  to  his  laborious  undertaking; 
and  also  to  take  a  retrospective  view  of  the  progress  of  the  work, 
from  its  commencement  up  to  the  present  time. 

The  design  of  the  work  being  to  facilitate  the  knowledge  of 
species  hitherto  unknown,  or  known  only  by  description,  we  com- 
menced with  the  Cypraeadae  ;  our  first  8  parts  containing  70  pre- 
viously unfigured  species  of  that  interesting  and  highly  appre- 
ciated family,  with  a  complete  catalogue,  prepared  by  Mr.  G. 
B.  Sowerby,  Sen.,  in  which  all  the  new  species  are  described. 

In  reference  to  the  genus  Cypraea,  however,  we  have  departed 
from  our  prescribed  course,  by  giving,  in  the  later  parts,  repre- 
sentations of  all  the  remaining  species,  whether  previously 
figured  or  not.  A  complete  illustrated  monograph  is  thus  formed 
in  parts  1  to  8,  and  101  to  131,  consisting  of  about  182  species 
and  varieties,  and  obviating  the  necessity  of  refering  to  a  dozen 
or  so  of  large  and  expensive  publications,  which  do  not  come 
within  the  reach  of  all  who  desire  to  possess  a  knowledge  of  the 
subject.  Parts  9  to  13  contain  42  Cancellariae,  some  of  the 
most  beautiful  of  which  were  among  the  late  imports  of  the  inde- 
fatigable Mr.  Cuming,  on  whose  return  from  a  second  collecting 
expedition,  we  anticipate  a  rich  harvest  of  new  discoveries.  This 
genus  is  also  published  with  a  catalogue.  Parts  14  and  16,  con- 
tain 24  new  species  of  Nucula.  In  parts  17  to  19,  are  repre- 
sented 10  species  of  Amphidesma,  which  are  not  in  the  Species 
Conchyliorum,  although  that  important  publication  contains  more 
than  are  to  be  found  in  any  other.  A  catalogue  is  given  with 
this  genus;  and  another  of  Eburnaa,  in  part  20,  with  4  new 
species.  Parts  24,  25,  28,  29,  32,  33,  36,  37,  54,  55,  56,  57,  contain 
73  species  of  the  much  valued  genus,  Conus  ;  and  the  intermediate 


parts,  21,  22,  23,  26,  27,  30,  31,  3^4,  35,  contain  60  si)ecies  and 
varieties  of  Bulinus,  many  of  which  are  quite  new.  Of  the  51 
Chitones,  contained  in  parts  38  to  45,  many  are  extremely  beau- 
tiful, and  some  were  brought  to  the  country,  for  the  first  time, 
by  Mr.  Cuming.  Parts  46  to  51,  contain  32  species  and 
varieties  of  Cardium.  A  complete  monograph  of  the  small,  but 
interesting  genus  Eulima,  consisting  of  15  species,  is  given  in 
parts  52  and  53.  We  feel  particularly  gratified  in  having  been 
enabled,  in  parts  58  to  67,  to  make  57  additions  to  the  known 
species  and  varieties  of  Murex,  a  genus  which  should  be  better 
studied  than  it  is,  including,  as  it  does,  many  of  what  may  be  con- 
sidered, in  form,  sculpture  and  colouring,  as  the  most  elegant  of 
shells.  Parts  68  to  78,  and  80,  contain,  with  a  catalogue,  all  the 
species  and  varieties  of  the  genus  Fissurella,  about  64  in  number. 
Parts  79  and  81  to  83,  present  illustrations  of  15  species  of 
Monoceros,  a  catalogue  of  which  genus  will  be  given  in  part  135. 
In  parts  84,  85,  88,  89,  92,  93,  are  represented  22  species  of 
Ranella.  The  60  species  of  Neritina,  figured  in  parts  86,  87,  90, 
91,  94  to  100,  will  be  formed  into  a  complete  monograph,  by  the 
addition  of  a  catalogue,  to  be  given  with  part  138. 

On  summing  up  the  whole,  it  will  be  found  that  the  131  parts, 
already  published,  contain  1,062  figures  of  714  species  and  varie- 
ties making  important  additions  to  15  difterent  genera,  and  7 
complete  catalogues,  3  more  of  which  will  appear  in  the  next 
seven  parts. 

We  think  it  decidedly  the  better  plan  to  keep  works  of  (his 
nature  unbound  in  Solanders^  or  book-boxes,  and  arranged  ac- 
cording to  the  genera  ;  but  for  the  convenience  of  subscribers, 
who  may  be  anxious  to  bind  their  copies,  we  think  it  best  to 
state  that  parts  133  and  134,  will  contain  the  remainding  species 
of  Margarita,  with  a  catalogue.  Parts  135  and  136,  Chilina, 
with  a  catalogue,  and  also  a  catalogue  of  Monoceros.  Parts 
137  and  138,  with  other  subjects,  ■■■  catalogue  of  the  genus 
Neritina.  All  the  subjects  hitherto  commenced,  will  then  be 
as  complete  as  we   can  make  them  at  present. 

G.  B.  S.  Junr.,  begs  leave  to  add,  in  conclusion,  that  no  pains 
or  expense  will  be  spared  to  render  the  Conchological  Illustra- 
tions increasingly  worthy  of  the  place  ii  must  necessarily  occupy 
in  the  scientific  literature  of  the  country. 


Specimens  of  the  Wood-Engraving  in  the  Volume  for  1837,  of  the 
New  Series  of  the  Magazine  of  Natural  History. 


o.  ^o 


1.  Cut  illustrating  the  paper  of  Mr.  Yarrell  and  Dr.  Clarke,  on  the  capture  of  the  genus 
Herairamphus,  on  the  Suffolk  coast. 

2.  Rev.  W.  T.  Bree's  observations  on  the  Lunar  Hornet  Sphinx. 

3.  Communication  of  Viscountess  Sidmouth,  on  a  Fossil  Crocodile. 

4.  Memoir  of  M.  Leon  Dufour  on  the  Tarantula. 


specimens  of  Wood-cuts. 


1.  Mr.  Harvey,  on  the  animals  of  some  Corals. 

2.  Mr.  Charleswortb,   on  a  form  of  Fossil   Cephalopodous   Shells,   connecting  the  genera 
Nautilus  and  Ammonites. 

3.  Mr.  Sowerby,  on  the  proposed  genus  Cyprsecassis. 

4    Mr.  Charleswortb,  on  the  power  which  the  animal  of  the  Argonaut  has  of  repairing  breaches 
in  its  shell. 

A    2 


Specimens  of  Wood-cuts. 


Mr.  Charlesworth,  on  a  gigantic  Fossil  Teirebratula  from  the  Coralline  Crag 


7 

On  the  First  of  January,  1838,  ivill  be  published, 
Price  Two  Shillings, 

No.  I.  OF  Vol.  II.  (New  Series)  of 
THE  MAGAZINE  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY, 

CONDUCTED    BY 

EDAVARD    CHARLESWORTH,  F.G.S.,  &c. 

ZOOLOGICAL    ASSISTANT    SECRETARY    TU    THE    ZOOLOGICAL    SOCIETY. 

WITH    ILLUSTRATIONS    BY    JAMES    DE    CARLE    SOWERBY,    ESQ. 


1  HE  following  Communications  will  appear  in  the  early 
Numbers:  — Description  of  a  new  Species  of  Ray,  found  on  the 
British  Coast.  By  Jonathan  Couch,  F.L.S. —  New  Arrange- 
ment of  the  Sharks,  including  Descriptions  of  many  new 
Forms.  By  Professor  Muller  of  Berlin  and  Dr.  Henle. — 
Revision  of  Cuvier's  Genus  Scyllium,  including  the  new  Sub- 
genera of  Professor  Mliller,  and  Descriptions  of  many  new 
Species  from  the  Cape.  By  Dr.  Andrew  Smith,  Superintend- 
ent of  the  late  Exploring  Expedition  to  Central  Africa.  —  On 
the  Discovery  of  a  Specimen  of  the  Argentine  (Scolepus  Hum- 
boldtii  Cnv.)  in  the  Frith  of  Forth.  By  Dr.  W.  B.  Clarke  ; 
with  a  Drawing  taken  from  the  Specimen,  and  some  additional 
Remarks  by  Mr.  Yarrell.  —  On  the  Botany  in  the  Neigh- 
bourhood of  Tring.     By  Richard  Chambers,  F.L.S.,  &c. 

—  On  some  Peculiarities  in  the  Skull  of  the  Chetah,  or  Hunt- 
ing Leopard.  By  William  Martin,  F.L.S.,  &c. — On  the 
Discovery  of  some  new  Genera  of  Mammiferous  Animals  in 
the  English  Tertiary  Deposits.  By  Edward  Charles- 
worth,  F.G.S.,  &c.  —  On  the  Septa  formed  in  the  Apices 
of  some  Species  of  LTnivalve  Shells.  By  John  Edward 
<jrRAY,  F.R.S.,  President  of  the  Botanical  Society  of  London. 

—  Monograph  on  the  Family  of  Mutillidse.  By  W.  E. 
Shuckard,  Vice-President  of  the  Entomological  Society. — 
Observations  on  some  of  the  wild  Animals  of  Germany.  By 
W.  Weissenborn,  Ph.  D.  —  Description  of  a  new  Genus  of 
Trochidea.  By  G.  B.  Sowerby,  F.L.S.  —  Illustrations  of 
the  Geology  of  the  South-East  of  Dorsetshire.  By  the  Rev. 
W.  B.  Clarke.  —  Observations  on  the  Flints  found  in  the 
Neighbourhood  of  Blackheath  and  other  parts  of  Kent.  By 
J.  Mitchell,  LL.D. — Remarks  upon  the  Formation  of  Valleys 
in  the  Secondary  and  Primary  Rocks.  By  Dr.  William  Smith. 

—  Catalogue  of  the  Shells  found  in  the  Red  and  Coralline 


Crag  of  Suffolk.  By  Searles  V.  Wood.  —  On  the  Family 
of  the  Trogons.  By  John  Gould,  F.L.S.,  &;c. — A  Memoir 
on  an  anomalous  Group  of  Exotic  Hemipterous  Insects.  By 
By  J.  O.  Westwood,  F.L.S.  —  On  the  Habits  of  the  Long- 
tailed  Trogon.  By  Lucien  Bonaparte,  Prince  of  Musi- 
gnano.  —  Notes  upon  the  Natural  History  of  a  Portion  of  the 
North- West  of  Scotland.  By  William  Thompson,  F.Z.S., 
&c.,  Vice-President  of  the  Belfast  Natural  History  Society. — 
On  some  of  the  Relations  subsisting  between  the  Chemistry 
and  the  Natural  Distribution  of  Organised  Beings.  By 
E.  W.  Brayley,  jun.,  F.G.S.,  &c.,  Librarian  to  the  London 
Institution. — Observations  on  the  British  A'lcadse.  By  Ed- 
ward Blyth.  —  On  the  Discovery  of  the  Fossil  Remains  of 
some  of  the  larger  Carnivora,  in  a  Fresh-water  Deposit  at 
Grays,  in  Essex.  By  John  Morris. — On  the  Existence  of  an 
undescribed  Muscle  in  the  Eye  of  certain  Fishes.  By  John 
Dalrymple,  M.R.C.S.,  &c. 


The  First  Volume  of  the  New  Series  of  Loudon^  s  Magazine 
of  Natural  History  is  now  complete,  illustrated  by  nearly  100 
highly  finished  Engravings  on  Wood,  the  whole  of  them 
executed  by  Branston  ;  and  containing  Communications  on 
Comparative  Anatomy,  from  Richard  Owen,  F.R.S.,  Hun- 
terian  Professor  to  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons:  on 
Ichthyology,  from  William  Yarrell,  F.L.S.,  &c. ;  Edward 
Moore,  M.D.,  F.L.S. ;  and  Dr.  Clarke:  on  Entomology, 
from  J.  O.  Westwood,  F.L.S.;  W.  E.  Shuckard  ;  G.  R. 
Waterhouse,  Curator  to  the  Zoological  Society;  and  G.  R. 
Gray:  on  Conchology,  from  John  Edward  Gray,  F.R.S.; 
George  B.  Sowerby,  F.L.S.;  and  Samuel  Stutchbury, 
Curator  to  the  Bristol  Institution :  on  Ornithology,  from 
John  Gould,  F.L.S.;  and  Edward  Blyth:  on  Botany, 
from  GoldingBird,  F.L.S.;  and  Richard  Chambers,  F.L.S.: 
on  Mammalogy,  from  E.  Gray,  G.  R.  Waterhouse,  and 
William  Ogilby,  F.L.S.,  &c. :  on  Fossil  Zoology,  from 
Gideon  Mantell,  LL.D.,  F.R.S. ;  and  Edward  Charles- 
worth,  F.G.S. 

London,  Longman  and  Co. ;  and  may  be  had  through  all 
Booksellers. 


London : 

I'rintcc!  by  A.  SpoTTiswoonic, 

New-StreeU  Square.