3 "Tt i
C~JG
MONOGRAPH!
OF THE
FAMILY UNIONID^E,
OR NAIADES OF LAMARCK,
(FRESH WATER BIVALVE SHELLS,)
OF
NORTH AMERICA,
ILLUSTRATED BY FIGURES DRAWN ON STONE FROM NATURE.
BY T. A. CONRAD,
CURATOR OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, HONORARY MEMBER OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
PHILADELPHIA:
J. DOBSON, 108 CHESNUT STREET.
1836.
da>H
E. G. Dorse y, Printer, 12 Library Street.
TO
CHARLES A. POULSON, Esq.
Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, fyc.
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED,
AS A SLIGHT TRIBUTE OF ESTEEM,
BY HIS OBLIGED FRIEND,
THE A UTHOR.
MONOGRAPH Y
OF THE
FAMILY UNIONIDil
UNIO.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Shell equivalved, inequilateral: cardinal teeth two in each valve, irregular, generally striated, simple or biparted; an elongated lamelliform tooth on the pos- terior hinge margin of the right valve, and two similar teeth on the corresponding margin of the left valve: muscular impressions two principal ones in each valve.
OBSERVATIONS.
Mr. Say justly remarks, that, "in North America, the shells of this genus excel those of any other country in magnitude, beauty, and diversity of spe- cies." The rivers of Tennessee have furnished the most beautiful specimens of many species common to the western waters. The Ohio or Mississippi has
not hitherto furnished a single species existing in tide waters which flow into the Atlantic; and the only shell of this character is the Alasmodonta mar- ginata, Say.
The shells of this genus may be divided into two groups, the "winged" and "not winged," as Mr. Sow- erby has proposed for the whole family of Unionid^e. The former are included in the genus Symphynota, of Mr. Lea, which we cannot adopt, because, as Fe- russac justly remarks, "in the same family generic characters should be taken from the same parts;" thus the other genera are formed from the absence or arrangement of the hinge teeth, whilst Symphynota, without any regard to the hinge, is constructed from a testaceous connexion of the valves, which Ferussac observes is "almost an organic character among the Acephala which have the mantle completely closed near the hinge margin, at least in young shells."
Dr. Kirtland has made some interesting remarks on the sexes of this family, in which he has proved them to be distinct, in the opinion of many concho- logists; and the sex can be ascertained by the form of the shell. Almost every species has two promi- nent varieties of form, one of which is shorter and more ventricose than the other, which is happily ex- plained by the observations of the intelligent author of the essay referred to.*
*Vide Silliman's Journ. vol. xxvi. p. 117.
c"1
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nioJasccatus,Raf
UNIO FASCIATI S.
P
biy tys, and a few infc
3; umbo slightly compressed, little at; anterior iment margin scare
curved, slightly declining; posterior margin obliqU' truncated; umbonial slope abruptly rounded; submar- furrowed; basal margin protruding a d behind the middle; within white;
thin, showing the
■■
s .
Mag. de Zool. I - cabh Sillimaivs Journal, vol. vi. p. 126.
. No, 1020.
1
LVATIO
This shell h
me conr derous and co nark-
1
ad cardinal teeth. nearly related to
rassus. Say, but can be distinguished by its more elliptical outline, much broader and darker ra d by the beaks being less nearly terminal. Fe- • gives carinatus, Barnes, sa nyme
5, Say. Common in the western wa
r
.
UNIO FASCIATUS.
Plate I. DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, compressed, yellowish olive, with broad dark green rays, and a few intermediate nar- row rays; umbo slightly compressed, little promi- nent; anterior side short; ligament margin scarcely curved, slightly declining; posterior margin obliquely truncated; umbonial slope abruptly rounded; submar- gin slightly furrowed; basal margin protruding a little near and behind the middle; within white; cardinal teeth thick, direct; margin thin, showing the exterior rays.
SYNONYMES.
U. fasciatus, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 28.
Poulson's translation, p. 20. Say, Amei\ Conch. No, 6.
Ferussac, Mag. de Zool. U. carinatus, Barnes. Sillimairs Journal, vol. vi. p. 126. Cab. A. N. 8. No. 1020.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell has been considered a variety of cario- sus by some conchologists, but it is invariably more ponderous and compressed, with very different mark- ings and cardinal teeth. It is most nearly related to the crassus, Say, but can be distinguished by its more elliptical outline, much broader and darker rays, and by the beaks being less nearly terminal. Fe- russac gives carinatus, Barnes, as a synonyme to crassus, Say. Common in the western waters. The
figure is from a specimen from the Scioto, given me by my friend, Dr. William Blanding.
UNIO OVATUS.
Plate II.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell subtriangular, rather thin, compressed ante- riorly, inflated over the umbonial slope, which is pro- foundly angulated and subrectilinear; posterior slope flattened or slightly concave, much wrinkled; umbo inflated, prominent, sloping anteriorly, distant from the anterior margin; surface glabrous, olive-yellow; within bluish; cardinal teeth double in each valve, very oblique, compressed, elevated.
SYNONYMES.
U. ovatus, Say. Nicholson's Ency. (3d Amer. ed.) art. Conch.
pi. ii. fig. 7. Lam An. sans vert. vol. vi. p. 75. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1225.
OBSERVATIONS.
The great depression of the posterior slope distin- guishes this species from the cardium, Raf. Old shells are produced posteriorly. It varies consider- ably in form; some specimens are compressed, others very ventricose, with rather broad radii over the whole disk. This variety is so dissimilar to the specimen figured, that I propose to designate it by a distinct name, terming it variety ornatus; it is com- mon in the rivers of South Alabama. The species is common in the western waters.
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near; p
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Unto ovatuti >S'«-<j-
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/ Unio c/aua, Laitt.^ £.Unio decisus, Lea.
ao clava.
form, verj obliqi
mi obliqi ! from the umbo: tent is arcua
: umbo i , d, narrowed, inclining for-
ced to a point, terminal; epiden ■ ■
An. Bans »1. vi. p. 74.
. vol. v. p. 43 p. 47.
:- i
A beautiful non in
the w
comes greatly produi uid compressed, and gci lished with irregular indentations. Alli< , nob. and decisus, LT
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4
UNIO CLAVA.
Plate III. — Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION.
Shell cuneiform, very oblique; posterior side pro- duced, compressed, with an oblique furrow rapidly- widening from the umbo; ligament margin arcuate, very oblique; umbo elevated, narrowed, inclining for- wards; beaks curved to a point, terminal; epidermis wrinkled, olive-yellow or brownish, with interrupted rays over the umbo, disappearing with age; within white, very iridescent posteriorly; cardinal tooth in the left valve nearly parallel with the ligament mar- gin.
SYNONYMES.
U. clava, Lam. An. sans vert. vol. vi. p. 74.
U. scalenius, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 43. pi.
lxxxi. fig. 24, 25. Poulson's trans, p. 47. U. modioliformis, Say. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1117.
OBSERVATIONS.
A beautiful species when perfect, and common in the western rivers. With age the posterior side be- comes greatly produced and compressed, and gene- rally furnished with irregular indentations. Allied to U. oviformis, nob. and decisus, Lea.
B
6
UNIO DECISUS.
Plate III.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell cuneiform, oblique; anterior margin obtusely rounded; posterior side produced, somewhat com- pressed, with a very oblique indistinct furrow, and irregular indentations, frequently obsolete; extremity angular; beaks nearly terminal, eroded; umbonial slope rectilinear, subangulated; epidermis finely wrin- kled inferiorly, reddish-brown with obsolete brown narrow rays; within white.
SYNONYMES.
U. decisus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series, vol.
iv. p. 92, pi. xii. fig. 23. U. taitianus, ib. vol. v. p. 39, pi. iv. fig. 11. variety. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1733.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species much resembles the preceding, but can always be distinguished by its broader and less oblique umbo, uniform absence of green rays, and by its rectilinear umbonial slope, but more especially by the posterior extremity, which is never so nearly on a line with the base as in the former shell, which with age is greatly produced and compressed, whilst the present species, when old, never becomes so; the cardinal teeth, also, are very different. Com- mon in the Alabama river, and has hitherto been found only in the state of Alabama.
UNIO REFLEXUS.
Plate IV.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suboval, thick anteriorly; middle of the disks with a single row of distant elevated tubercles, about four in number; umbo not very prominent, subme- dial; umbonial slope subcarinated; posterior side slightly furrowed and emarginate at base; posterior slope flattened, with transverse undulations; poste- rior extremity truncated; within white; cardinal teeth large, direct, much sulcated.
Var. A. disks covered with small tubercles.
Var. B. epidermis blackish, nacre purple.
SYNONYMES.
U. reflexus, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 40.
Poulson's trans, p. 40. Say, Amer. Conch. No. 6. Fernssac,
Mas;, de Zool. U. cornutus, Barnes. S'dliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 122. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1750.
OBSERVATIONS.
Allied to the U.Jlexaosus, but approaches nearest to U. gibbosus, Raf., yet may always be distinguish- ed from that species by its suboval outline, and the regularity and prominence of its tubercles. The two varieties I found in the Alabama river. The figure represents a tuberculated specimen. The species preserves its distinctive characters in very
8
remote localities, specimens from south Alabama perfectly resembling others from the waters of Indi- ana.
UNIO FLEXUOSUS.
Plate IV.— Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell subtriangular, bifurcated, swelling and sub- nodulous in the middle; posterior side with a wide oblique furrow; umbonial slope obtusely carinated; umbo flattened, prominent; epidermis with numerous slender rays; within white, cardinal teeth direct, sulcated; lateral teeth short and thick.
SYNONYMES.
U. flexiiosus, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 40. U. foliatus, Hildreth. Silliman's Journ. vol. xiv. p. 248, fig.
16. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1050.
OBSERVATIONS.
A specimen of this shell in Mr. Poul son's cabinet was labelled by Rafinesque, whose description, un- der the name we have adopted, entirely accords with the species before it has attained its profound bifur- cation.
This singular species, when young, is smooth, and simply emarginate behind the middle. It approaches nearest to U. gibbosus, Raf. Not uncommon in the western rivers.
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9
UNIO PHILLIPSII.
Plate V.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell subovate, with concentric furrows; anterior side smooth; disk with a single row of irregular tubercles in the centre, some of which are elongated and grooved; posterior side narrowed, with a wide furrow and a few small tubercles; umbonial slope straight, carinated and tuberculated; posterior slope concave, indistinctly tuberculated; ligament slope rectilinear, oblique; extremity direct, emarginate; basal margin swelling centrally, emarginate behind; mnbo prominent, rather broad, flattened at the sum- mit; beaks retuse; epidermis yellowish-brown, with indistinct filiform rays over the umbo; within white; cardinal teeth rather small, direct, double in each valve.
OBSERVATIONS.
This handsome species is allied to U. (/iiadrahis, Raf., but is very distinct, the young shell having broad smooth and retuse beaks, whilst the young of the quadrulus has the beaks narrowed, tuberculated, pointed and curved forwards. The specimen figured is from the Wabash, and is in the cabinet of Mr. John Phillips, who called my attention to it as a distinct species, and I have dedicated to him a small tribute of respect for his talents and scientific zeal.
10
UNIO METANEVRUS.
Plate V. — Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suboval, thick, ventricose; anterior side tu- berculated, except near the margin, which is smooth; disk with an oblique furrow; umbonial slope very prominent, broad and rounded, with numerous tu- bercles, some of which are very large; posterior slope wide, concave, or angular, with oblique slightly re- curved series of rib-like tubercles; umbo slightly prominent; beaks retuse; ligament margin oblique, rounded at the extremity; posterior margin emargi- nate; epidermis yellowish-brown, with interrupted green rays; within white, much thickened anteriorly.
SYNONYMES.
U. metanevra, Raj '. Ann. gen. des Sc Phys. vol. v. p. 39.
Ferussac, Mag. de Zool. U. nodosus, Barnes. Silliman's Journal, vol. vi. p. 124, pi. vi.
fig. 7. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1754.
OBSERVATIONS.
A common species in the western and southern rivers, easily recognised, when in perfection, by its swelling umbonial slope: very old specimens much resemble U. stapes, Lea, but are much larger.
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emar. rupted
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VI.
ut are
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■' ! ! i '■-' '
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). I'Jiin ph.ill.lp.yii , Co/i. "Z-. Vnio MrAaneuru s, Haf-
pec. f#3S.
11
UNIO MORTONI.
Plate VI. — Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION.
Shell suborbicular, not thick, ventricose; disk flat- tened, or slightly furrowed from beaks to base, co- vered with irregular tubercles; anterior margin sub- truncated; posterior margin straight, direct; ligament margin subarcuate, oblique, forming an angle with the posterior margin; umbo with an oblique furrow, prominent; beaks rather retuse, decorticated; umbo- nial slope angular, slightly arcuate; posterior slope flattened; epidermis yellowish brown, with fine crowd- ed wrinkles; within white; anterior margin not thick- ened; cardinal teeth compressed, very prominent, oblique.
Cab. Ji. N. S. No. 1874.
OBSERVATIONS.
This pretty species is common in Bayou Teche, Louisiana; but I have seen it from no other locality; it approaches nearest to the quadruhis, Raf., but dif- fers greatly in size, convexity, and want of a distinct furrow from beak to base. It is dedicated to my friend Dr. S. G. Morton, whose exertions have fur- nished a splendid collection of American and foreign fresh water shells to the Academy of Natural Sci- ences.
12
UNIO FRAGOSUS.
Plate VI. — Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell suborbicular, ventricose, with an indistinct narrow furrow, and two approximate series of very prominent irregular tubercles, anterior ones largest; umbonial slope angular; posterior slope slightly con- cave, with a few narrow rib-like tubercles, more pro- minent near the margin; posterior margin direct, slightly emarginate; ligament slope straight, slightly oblique; umbo narrow, prominent; beaks much in- curved, pointed, tuberculated; epidermis brown, with two or three broad, widely interrupted green rays.
OBSERVATIONS.
This fine spocies approaches quadridus, Raf., but is much more ventricose, has more prominent tuber- cles, and is very distinct. I am indebted to Dr. Blanding for the splendid specimen represented by the figure; it is from the Scioto river, Ohio.
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indistinct
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>ro-
brown, with
rays.
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, but
to Dr. ented by
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/. Unlo MortonL, Con. %.vn\o jranosus, Conrad.
Die. 1S3S
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('"/a co.rtatu*, fia/;
\io COST AT?
y
slope; umbo narr<
minal; ligament
lowish
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U.
n. vol. vi. p. 121, pi. 2.
■ a\ ver
m ich
\\ with 1
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Sfe
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17 UNIO COSTATUS.
Plate VII.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suboval, slightly ventricose anteriorly; disk with profound oblique undulations, numerous and re- curved behind the umbonial slope; umbo narrow, slightly prominent, oblique, nearly terminal; ligament margin elevated, nearly straight; epidermis yellowish brown, sometimes blackish brown, much wrinkled posteriorly; within white, iridescent posteriorly, waved on the margin; cardinal teeth very thick.
SYNONYMES.
U. costatus, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 49. pi.
lxxxii. fig. 13, 14. Poulson's trans, p. 57. Say, Amer. Conch.
No. 6. Ferns. Mag. de Zool. U. undulatus, Barnes. Silliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 121, pi. 2.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell very nearly approaches U. plicatus, Say, and some varieties can scarcely be distinguished from it. It has, in general, more undulations, a much less prominent umbo, is less ventricose, and has often a yellowish epidermis, which is not the case with the plicatus. Not uncommon in the western waters, and in the Alabama river; very large and fine in the rivers of Tennessee.
18
This species in some of its varieties so nearly re- sembles U. heros, of Say, when the latter is old and eroded on the umbones, that Mr. Say at one time considered them identical; the young shell of the he- ros, however, was found to be so entirely dissimilar to the young of the costatus, that the specific differ- ence was obvious to the most careless observer, and Mr. Say in his synonymy retains his species. This circumstance should induce those naturalists who live in favourable situations to study the young of every species, for as Mr. Lea has justly observed, they are the most certain guides to specific distinc- tions; when the umbones and beaks are perfect, most species will exhibit very nearly the prominent cha- racters of the very young shells, and hence the ne- cessity of procuring cabinet specimens of the most perfect description, if we would effectually trace the species and make ourselves acquainted with their affinities.
20
UNIO PARVUS.
Plate IX.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell oblong or elliptical, with prominent concen- tric lines, and slightly contracted from beak to base; inflated posteriorly and the basal margin dilated and rather abruptly ascending to the extremity, which is narrow, obtuse, and much above the line of the base; umbo when not decorticated, profoundly sulcated; umbonial slope undefined; posterior slope with a sub- marginal, slightly prominent line; ligament margin not oblique; posterior margin obliquely truncated above; within white; cardinal teeth very erect.
SYNONYMES.
U. parvus, Barnes. Silliman's Journal, vol. vi. p. 1T4. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1872.
OBSERVATIONS.
A small species, without any prominent character, yet very distinct. It approaches nearest to U. lieno- sws, nob. but that species is always more or less radiated and generally pink or purple in the interior; the parvus is white within and rarely rayed. Inhabits western rivers generally from Bayou Teche in Louisi- ana to Fox river in the North Western Territory.
An elegant specimen from the Scioto river is dark olive-green and distinctly rayed; and the acutely an- gulated ridges on the beaks are very perfect.
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mt concen- . to base;
•.-..ise;
tted;
ub-
y truncated : i ct.
ter,
ean U. lieno-
>r less
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and ra ^its
uisi- Nbrth ry.
dark an- b
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21
UNIO GLANS.
Plate IX.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate-elliptical, thickened anteriorly; surface with numerous concentric lines; anterior side short; posterior side subcuneiform; umbo slightly prominent; beaks undulated; umbonial slope undefined; epidermis generally dark brown, sometimes rayed; within dark purple, except on the anterior margin; cardinal teeth prominent, direct.
SYNONYMES.
U. glans, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series, vol. iv.
pi. viii. fig. 12. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1168.
OBSERVATIONS.
This does not appear to be an abundant species, yet it is occasionally found in the waters of Ohio, Tennessee and Alabama. In the latter state I met with it only in the tributaries of the Tennessee river. The purple nacre and white anterior margin will al- ways distinguish this species from any other, which resembles it in form. Another peculiarity is the posterior tooth of the left valve pointing to the pos- terior extremity, which causes the teeth to diverge greatly. It most resembles U. lienosus, nob. and U. parvus, Barnes. The figure represents the largest and best specimen I have seen, and the only one that is distinctly rayed; it is from the Harpeth river, Tennessee.
22
UNIO SILIQUOIDEUS.
"'Plate X. — Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate-oblong or elliptical, ventricose, mode- rately thick; surface glabrous, olive-yellow, with nu- merous green rays varying much in size; anterior side not very short, margin regularly rounded; liga- ment margin straight, not declining; posterior ex- tremity angulated; umbonial slope undefined; beaks with flexuous undulations; within bluish-white; cardi- nal teeth oblique, lateral teeth slightly decurved pos- teriorly.
SYNONYMES.
U. siLiquoiDEus, Barnes. Silliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 269. U. inflatus, lb. p. 267. Cab. Jl. N. S. No. 1055.
OBSERVATIONS.
The species which most resembles this appears to be the radiatus, which for comparison we figure upon the same plate. Young specimens differ constantly from the radiatus in having a straw-coloured highly polished epidermis, and much undulated beaks; are more inflated, have the anterior side longer and the margin more regularly rounded. The sexual varie- ties are far more strongly marked, some specimens having almost the form of U. cariosus, whilst the ra- diatus offers comparatively slight differences of out- line. Old shells become thick and much inflated, and
23
resemble in form the U. teres, Raf. common in the western rivers. I did not observe it in Alabama.
Mr. Say, in his synonymy of the western species, has given the siliquoideus as a synonyme of U. cariosus, considering it a mere variety of that species, and more strangely merges the radiatus in the same. We have seen abundance of both the latter and cariosus, in the Schuylkill and Delaware, but never any varie- ties of either which could for one moment have led us to confound the two species. Mr. Lea informs us that a specimen of the siliquoideus in the Garden of Plants at Paris, is labelled luteola of Lamarck; this name we should have adopted if Ferussac had not referred Lamarck's specimen of luteola to cariosus, of Say, which we presume to be correct, as that distin- guished naturalist is well acquainted with those species which are common in the United States.
In Bayou Teche there occurs a beautiful species allied to this if it be not a variety; it is distinguished by a darker epidermis, with distant and dark green rays of nearly uniform size. We have not seen many specimens, but a figure of it will be given when its characters shall be determined and its affinity with the siliquoideus clearly ascertained.
24 UNIO RADIATUS.
Plate X. — Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell oblong-ovate, thin, slightly compressed on the anterior side; surface with fine wrinkled lines and distinct furrows; olive, with numerous green rays, varying in size; anterior side short and narrowed; margin abruptly rounded; posterior side dilated; liga- ment margin elevated, slightly curved; anterior basal margin slightly contracted; umbonial slope undefined; posterior extremity subtruncated; within yellowish or salmon coloured, and thickened anteriorly; bluish and highly iridescent posteriorly.
SYNONYMES.
U. radiata, Lam. An. sans vert. vol. vi. p. 73.
Barnes. Silliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 265.
Mya radiata, Spengl. Gmel.
U. virginiana, Lam. An. sans. vert. vol. vi. p. 79.
U. oblongata, Wood. Suppl. Index. Test.
Cab. A. N. S.No. 1116.
OBSERVATIONS.
A common species in the tide waters of the middle states, and very abundant in those of Virginia, but it has not been found in any of the tributaries of the Mississippi, except the Ouisconsin river, where, according to Mr. Barnes, it was obtained by Mr. Schoolcraft. This naturalist remarks that it inhabits Saratoga lake.
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tinkled lii
: -
od; riorly; bluish and
I i ■
die
but it
■ >f the
re,
Ir.
: inhabits
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10
t.Unio Siltuuoideus, Barnes r. X. t/nio radiatus , La mirrri.
//
0 'pactorosus, 0
■>, Onto frrzctoltis, Jittf.
2f>
UNIO PECTOR(
- Fi, . 1.
.SCRIPT 10
the larger rays Uerior side compr -s^ed, Jed; ligament margin pan, umbonial slope angular; umbo broi summit obtusely rounded; beaks distant
an white, with a
K Trans. Amer. Pliilos. Soc. new sei '. v.
i I. Sept.
■rly th-
nlate for c<
1. The specimen re-
•thin each valve, b in the splendid nd in the Hi I mens
25
UNIO PECTOROSUS.
Plate XL— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, inflated, moderately thick, yellow- ish or olive, with unequal green rays, the larger rays having distant dark spots; anterior side compressed, extremity acutely rounded; ligament margin parallel with the base; umbonial slope angular; umbo broad, prominent, summit obtusely rounded; beaks distant from the anterior extremity; within white, with a wide greenish margin; cardinal teeth thick, promi- nent, direct; cardinal plate dilated.
SYNONYME.
U. pectorosus, Nob. New fresh water shells, p. 37. pi. vi. fig. 1.
May, 1834. U. perdix, Lea. Trans. Amer, Philos. Soc. new series, vol. v.
p. 72. pi. xi. fig. 31. Sept. 1834. Cab. A. N. S. No. 2102.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell has so nearly the outline of U.fasciolus, that I have figured both on the same plate for com- parison. It diners from that species in the rays, dilated cardinal plate, &c. It is allied to U. ovatus, Say, but is much more elongated. The specimen re- presented has double cardinal teeth in each valve, but the character is not permanent. It is in the splendid collection of Mr. Poulson, and was found in the Har- peth river, Tennessee. I obtained a few specimens
D
26
on the bank of Elk river, Alabama, in which the epi- dermis was dark and the rays obscure. Mr. Lea compares it with the crassus, Say, but we cannot find any point of resemblance.
UNIO FASCIOLUS.
Plate XL— Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Male. Shell elliptical, inflated, yellowish, with nu- merous unequal flexuous green rays; anterior margin regularly, not obtusely rounded; posterior extremity angulated; ligament margin slightly declining; umbo wide, prominent; beaks retuse, distant from the an- terior extremity; umbonial slope obtusely rounded; within white; cardinal teeth prominent, diverging; margin horn-coloured, shewing the exterior rays.
Female. Short ovate; posterior side dilated; umbo narrower and more oblique; ligament margin elevated.
SYNONYMES.
U. fasciolus. Raf. An. gen des Phys. Sec. vol. 5. p. Poul- son's trans, p. 28. Say. Amer. Conch. No. 6.
U. multiradiatus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series, vol. 3. p. 48. pi. ix. fig. 15.
Cab. .d. N. S. No. 1429.
OBSERVATIONS.
Distinguished by its numerous unequal green undulated rays; without these the female might be
\%
, ii :. ( i, ', .Unto -Ala
■uriosus. Old shells are very tliJ ndMr.Pc s a fine specimen
, H;> sen
. e thii:! ;ed
two
10 CONGARJ
n
pe much !ated lines;
ed.
i
I. vi
101.
outh ( lugusl
■
27
mistaken for U. cariosus. Old shells are very thick and ponderous, and Mr. Poulson has a line specimen of this description. Had the Baron de Ferussac seen this, we think he would not for a moment have deemed it a variety of U. subovatus. Mr. Phillips has two fine specimens, male and female; the former is repre- sented.
UNIO CONGARiEUS.
Plate XII. — Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptico-rhomboidal, thin, somewhat flattened at the sides; epidermis olive or reddish-brown, with numerous green rays, sometimes obsolete; umbones flattened, broad; summits obtusely rounded, slightly prominent; umbonial slope profoundly angulated; ligament slope slightly oblique; posterior slope much depressed, with oblique, irregular, undulated lines; within white, highly iridescent; cardinal teeth oblique; lateral teeth elongated, slightly curved.
SYNONYME.
U. congar;£us, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series, vol.
4. p. 72. pi. vi. fig. 4. Cab. A. N. S. No. 2101.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the eastern waters of South Carolina. I found it also at Augusta, Georgia, in great numbers.
28
It certainly approaches U. niger, Raf.; the young of the latter resembling it so much, as to lead to the inference that they may be varieties of one species, occasioned by difference of locality. Specimens from Augusta resemble the m^er more than those from the Congaree river; and in Flint river, Georgia, is a va- riety of the latter, differing only from the congarceus in being rather larger and more ponderous.
UNIO MASONI.
Plate XII. —Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suboval, thin; umbones broad, inflated, disks slightly flattened near the umbonial slope; beaks dis- tant from the anterior margin; ligament margin ele- vated; umbonial slope angulated; epidermis oliva- ceous, polished, wrinkled inferiorly; summits decor- ticated; within white, cardinal teeth oblique, rather thick.
SYNONYME.
U. masoni, Nob. New fresh water shells, p. 34. pi. 5. fig. 2. Cab. A. N. S. No. 2100.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits Savannah river, at Augusta. When the description was originally published, I had seen only
13
' nio cot? emeus, HUdretL i cutULus, C.
20
young shell, but subsequently, in examining a
r of specimens of f irceus from the same
ality, an adult hich has
r ihe . n Mr.
:
r kno
i
'., with crowded short; posterior side sub-
'
■
■
each
|
1 |
|
|
V>A |
I
\4
l
29
the young shell, but subsequently, in examining a number of specimens of U. cougar (Bus from the same locality, an adult specimen was discovered, which has served for the figure and description. It is in Mr. Phillips's cabinet. The outline of the young shell is represented for comparison with that of U. cougar teas. Mr. Poulson's cabinet.
It is dedicated to Mr. William Mason, whose dis- coveries have much advanced our knowledge of American conchology.
UNIO COCCINEUS.
Plate XIII. — Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell oblique, subtriangular, compressed, slightly waved; epidermis blackish-brown, with crowded wrinkles; anterior side very short; posterior side sub- cuneiform, much compressed, extremity truncated; umbo slightly flattened; basal margin not much ar- cuated posteriorly; posterior margin slightly sinuous, oblique, rounded above; umbonial slope abruptly rounded; summits prominent, eroded; within salmon colour, rarely white; cardinal teeth double in each valve, direct.
SYNONYME.
U. coccineus, Hildrcth. Cab. A. Ar. S. No. 2104.
30
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell, in having a slightly undulated disk, ap- proaches the mytiloides, Raf., but is very distinct. It is well known in the collections by the name we have adopted, but we are informed that Dr. Hildreth has not published his description of it. I have figured a fine specimen from Mr. Hyde's cabinet. This na- turalist observes that the species inhabits Mahoning river, near Pittsburg, and that of the very many specimens he has received, none has perfect beaks.
UNIO CATILLUS.
Plate XIII.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell oval orbicular, slightly oblique, moderately thick, convex, dark chestnut-brown, with crowded wrinkles; anterior margin obtusely rounded or sub- truncated; posterior margin rectilinear, nearly direct, extremity rounded; umbonial slope roimded; umbones inflated, narrow, prominent; ligament margin rectili- near, oblique, angular posteriorly; summits slightly flattened; beaks much incurved, pointed, slightly tu- berculated; lunule short ovate; within rosaceous; cardinal teeth thick, direct, profoundly sulcated; la- teral tooth of the left valve very thick, that of the right valve compressed, and rising from a very broad plate or base projecting on either side; cardinal plate profoundly dilated.
Cab. A. N. S. Xo. 2103.
31
OBSERVATIONS.
This species has been sent from the west, under the name of coccineus, but is so very distinct that I should not otherwise have compared it with that species. It approaches nearest to the polltus of Say, and obliqims, Lam., but the peculiarity of the teeth and greatly dilated cardinal plate, as well as many other characters, forbid a union with either. Mr. Hyde informs me that a great number of specimens in his possession, from the Scioto river, shew the in- terior to be generally of a rose colour or purple, oc- casionally nearly white, and rarely salmon. Of the latter Mr. Hyde possesses a specimen more beauti- fully coloured than any Unio I have seen — it will be figured in a future number. The figure is from a specimen in the cabinet of Mr. Phillips.
UNIO PRODUCTUS.
Plate XIV.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell narrow-elliptical, produced, moderately thick, slightly ventricose, somewhat contracted near the middle; anterior side short, dilated, margin obtusely rounded; basal margin sinuous; posterior side ros- trated; extremity rounded, much above the line of the base; ligament margin parallel with the line of the base; umbonial slope obtusely carinated; umbo decor- ticated, not elevated above the dorsal line; within
32
purplish; cardinal teeth thick, direct; lateral teeth thick.
OBSERVATIONS.
On a passing glance this shell would certainly be mistaken for U. jiasutus, but the thickness of the shell, the dilated anterior side, and thick, direct, lateral teeth, will sufficiently distinguish it. The disk pos- teriorly has several small plicae or undulations simi- lar to those of U. grayanus, Lea, but as only one specimen can be examined this character may prove inconstant.
In the cabinet of Mr. Phillips. I found it on the shore of Savannah river, at Augusta, and supposed it to be a variety of nasutus, but comparing it with that species from South Carolina and Florida, it was found to differ materially, and to form a link between it and the rectus.
UNIO LANCEOLATUS.
Plate XIV.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell narrow-elliptical, thin, ventricose, yellowish, smooth and polished; disks slightly flattened; ante- rior side somewhat compressed, not very short, mar- gin regularly rounded; umbonial slope regularly rounded, inflated; posterior side produced, extremity
teeth
ilybe
Mi
ateral
pos-
n the
with
was
tween
I
msD, ante-
uiar- Jarly mitv
teeth
if*
L(2
J
\
r-
aid cei be
iiiekness of : ell,
thick, direct, lateral
e disk pos-
ul ■> tions simi-
only one
prove
he
g it with
>rida,it was
>rm a link between
■
AT
■ ,
i ■
' mpre
: ante-
, mar-
jolarly
iitv
I
//
. UjiW>f>rodurtu.fjC.%.-(f.Un^oL k » ■ '"" ' -
■■.
i
33
angulated; beaks not prominent; ligament mar' short, elevated; withJD Imon colour; lateral
teeth slightly recu
U. LANCEO]
T I Mr. Lea. Mr. Hyde
rom the Kappahannoc
>ut-
.
mently the middle; each val
;ymes.
m ert. vol
33
angulated; beaks not prominent; ligament margin short, elevated; within pale salmon colour; lateral teeth slightly recurved.
SYNONYME.
U. lanceolatus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, new series,
vol. iii. pi. 3. fig. 2. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1105.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits Tar river, N. C, Mr. Lea. Mr. Hyde has received specimens from the Rappahannoc at Fredericksburg, Va. It approaches nearest in out- line to U. productus and ?iasatus, but cannot be easily confounded with either.
UNIO RECTUS.
Plate XV. DESCRIPTION.
Shell profoundly elongated, thick; anterior side short; posterior side rostrated, cuneiform; extremity angular, compressed; umbo inflated, but not promi- nent, obtusely rounded; disks slightly contracted in the middle; ligament margin nearly rectilinear; epi- dermis dark green or olive-brown, smooth, frequently with broad green rays; within pink in the middle; cardinal teeth small, direct, double in each valve.
SYNONYMES.
U. rectus, Lam. An. sans vert. vol. vi. p. 74. E
34
U. latissima, Raf. An. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. 5. p. 31. Poul-
son's trans, p. 25. U. PRiELONGirs, Barnes. Silliman's Jour. vol. vi. p. 261. Cab. A. N. S.No. 1112.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell resembles in outline U. ?iasutus, Say, U. lanceolatus, Lea, and U. teres, Raf. With the latter it has most affinity. It is a common western species, found as far north as the Ouisconsin, and inhabits the Alabama river near Claiborne. The figure was taken from a fine male specimen in Mr. Poulson's cabinet.
UNIO CRASSUS.
Plate XVI.
DESCRIPTION.
Male. Shell ovate, thick, yellowish, with brown rays, obsolete inferiorly; umbo broad, flattened; beaks obtuse, nearly terminal; umbonial slope angulated; posterior side cuneiform; posterior dorsal margin arcuate; basal margin dilated behind the middle; pos- terior extremity angular; within salmon colour or white, with a horn-coloured margin; cardinal teeth direct, thick, very prominent, subtrifid.
Female. Shell oval quadrate, ventricose, posterior side dilated; posterior margin widely truncated, di- rect; umbo oblique and terminal.
31
I
vol. Poul-
itline I
With the latter m western spec th< Oi a, and inhabits
: gure was Poulsou's
•I
10 CRASSTJS.
0
with brown
Uened; beaks
led;
/l'sal margin
ddle; •
>ur or
horn-coloured udinal teeth
uninei
ior :cated, di-
M
Unio crass us
35
SYNONYMES.
U. crassus, Say. Nich. Enc. (Amer. ed.) art. Conch, pi. i. fig.
8. old male. U. crassidens, var. c. Lam. An. sans vert. vol. vi. p. 71.
U. LIGAMENTINA, ib. p. 72.
U. ellipticus, Barnes. Silliman's Jour. vol. vi. p. 259. male. U. suborbiculatus, Hildretli. Silliman's Jour. vol. xiv. female. U. abruptus, Say. Amer. Conch, pi. 17, female, var. A. male. U. cYCL^ps, Raf. Contin. of Monog. p. 2, female. Cab. A. N. S. No. 358.
OBSERVATIONS.
Closely related to U.fasciatiis, Raf., but can be dis- tinguished from that species by fewer and narrower rays, generally distinct only over the umbones; by a lighter coloured more polished epidermis; more pro- minent teeth, and the prevalence of a salmon co- loured interior. Common in the rivers of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, but appears to be rare in the more southern states. I could not find it in the rivers of Alabama. The specimen figured was pre- sented by Dr. Blanding.
UNIO VIRIDIS.
Plate XVII.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical or subovate, ventricose, thin; disks slightly flattened anteriorly, much inflated over the umbonial slope; lines of growth prominent; ligament margin elevated; posterior slope dilated; posterior
36
extremity truncated, direct; epidermis with green rays, obsolete anteriorly, distinct and very unequal posteriorly; umbo slightly prominent; beaks with an- gular furrows, pointed; within white, iridescent; car- dinal teeth compressed, oblique, that of the left valve double or trifid; lateral teeth of the left valve imper- fectly divided.
SYNONYME. •
U. viridis, Raj. An. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 27. Poulson's
trans, p. 19. Cab. A. N. S. No. 2105.
OBSERVATIONS.
The first specimen of this species which came under my observation, was found in the Schuylkill river, near Philadelphia, by Mr. Hyde, who kindly offered me the use of it, as I supposed it to be unde- scribed. Comparing it, however, with a single valve from the Kentucky river, in Mr. Poulson's cabinet, it proved to be of the same species with that speci- men which was labelled viridis by Ratine sque. Mr. Hyde has received specimens from a small stream near Lancaster, and from the Juniata river. One from the latter locality has been selected for the figure and description. It is allied to U. heterodon, but can- not be confounded with that species.
f?
i. bum viTtdiSjRxLf. Z.Unt'i ocfiva.ce.us, Say.
UNIO OCHRACEI
Pi
DES
oil el! I, thin
■ sen un> •uperior mar
not oblique; umbo ml tenor exi
igular; umboni; jundly arcuate: phite,
■ ■ •. ■
A. i
rosac
SYNON -eus, Say. Nich. Enc. (Am
>; : OBSE]
common in the
n& inhabits most tide s nori an-
er. Variety A. is very abundant in Jai irginia, where I found vast numb
i -here by seines us-
37
UNIO OCHRACEUS.
Plate XVII.— Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, inflated, thin; epidermis smooth and polished, rugose posteriorly, yellowish, with nar- row green unequal rays; anterior side narrowed, and the superior margin elevated and connate; ligament margin not oblique; umbo inflated; posterior extre- mity angular; umbonial slope angular; basal margin profoundly arcuate; within white, rarely pale rose or salmon; cardinal teeth very oblique, much compressed, bifid in the right valve; single or imperfectly divided in the left; lateral teeth arcuate.
Var. A. Reddish brown; rays obsolete or want- ing; within rosaceous.
SYNONYMES.
U. ochraceus, Say. Nich. Enc. (Amer. ed.) art. Conch, pi. ii.
fig. 8.
Symphynota ochracea, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, new
series, vol. iii. p. 69. Var. A. Mytilus fluviatilis, Gmel. Lister, tab. 157. fig. 12. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1063.
OBSERVATIONS.
Very common in the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, and inhabits most tide waters north of Savan- nah river. Variety A. is very abundant in James river, Virginia, where I found vast numbers of shells brought ashore by seines used in the shad fishery in
38
the month of March. So accurately does the above mentioned variety agree with Lister's figure and de- scription, that I cannot doubt the identity. The species is, perhaps, most closely allied to U. cariosus, its common associate in the Delaware and Schuylkill. The specimen figured has a double cardinal tooth in each valve.
UNIO NASUTUS.
Plate XVIIL— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elongated, compressed, thin; disks slightly flattened; anterior side short; posterior side rostrated, tapering, angular at the extremity; umbo not promi- nent; beaks small, eroded; umbonial slope profoundly oblique, angulafed; ligament margin rectilinear, ele- vated; posterior superior margin profoundly oblique and slightly concave; within bluish, iridescent, rarely purple or salmon; cardinal teeth compressed and oblique, double in each valve.
SYNONYMES.
U. nasutus, Say. Nich. Enc. (Amer. ed.) art. Conch, pi. iv.
fig.l. U. rostrata, Valenc. Lister, tab. 151. fig. 6. Cab. A. N. S.No. 1123.
OBSERVATIONS.
A common species in the tide waters from Florida
m
^%^~,
to the eas I
in the Potomat specimens are ex specimen ii river, Vii .. with i
in the . In ( th i
*G ICr
lTS„
■ . prominent; summit oblique, angulated- lished,
low; within sal in the lei"'
i
I found the spec ita. It resembles U. Ian colour. Its proper p1 and declivis, Say.
1
■
I
■I
39
to the eastern states. I found it in great abundance in the Potomac river, near Washington, where the specimens are exceedingly elongated. The smaller specimen figured is a female variety from James river, Virginia, where they are generally ornamented with rays; the other figure represents a rare purple variety from Chester river, Maryland: it is in the cabinet of Mr. Phillips. In old shells the teeth are often thick and direct.
UNIO ICTERINUS.
Plate XVIIL— Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, moderately thick; anterior margin regularly rounded; posterior margin descending ob- liquely, and subtruncated at the extremity; umbo not prominent; summit decorticated; umbonial slope very oblique, angulated; epidermis smooth and polished, olive yellow; within salmon coloured; cardinal tooth in the left valve trifid, in the right, single.
SYNONYME.
U. icterinus, Nob. New fresh water shells, p. 41. pi. vi. fig. 5. Cab. A. N. S. No. 2106.
OBSERVATIONS.
I found the species in the Savannah river, at Au- gusta. It resembles U. lanceolatus in epidermis and colour. Its proper place, we think, is between nasu- tus and declivis, Say.
40
UNIO CARIOSUS.
Plate XIX.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell subovate, ventricose, thick anteriorly; epider- mis yellowish or straw coloured, very smooth and polished, with a few narrow dark green rays poste- riorly, more numerous on the posterior slope; umbo prominent, decorticated; umbonial slope angulated; ligament margin elevated; ligament prominent; basal margin swelling posteriorly; within white; cardinal teeth double in each valve, prominent, oblique.
SYNONYMES.
U. cariosus, Say. Nich. Enc. (Amer. ed.) art. Conch, pi. iii.
fig. 2. female. U. luteola, Lam. An. sans vert. vol. vi. p. 79. U. ovatus, Valenc. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1022.
OBSERVATIONS.
This is one of the most abundant species in the tide waters of the middle states, but I found it com- paratively rare in the Potomac and James rivers. In varieties of form it much resembles U. crassus, and both male and female are represented, in order to convey a clear idea of sexual differences, which are so striking in a large proportion of the species. It is very often destitute of rays, and I have seen only one specimen in which the rays extended over the disk to the anterior margin.
der-
and
Me-
ated;
asal inal
al. in.
the
Id ind to are It ttly the
^
E
I
1
S
anteriorly; epider-
ry smooth and
poste-
> . urnbo
uJ led;
riorlyj with n each valve, promii
!-,;:■ i. iii.
.
uind it com-
Tn
s and
to
;ual di >re
It
01
r the
■■
/?
..'•- s, i
'10
' m" miffiloides, HMfin-eMtu.
UNI'
OID1
brc ho tap<
curved, rr
vated; lunule o
and iridescent towards
dinal
riormi ■
M
U. MYTJ
lig. 8.- Poulsi
C. RUBRA, Bof.
yramidatus, Lea. Tran
vol. iv. p. 109, pi. v,
This coma the western wa name we have ad
Nob., and U. undatus, Barr is, but although it ties are
Young specimens are and frequently
IPs
\4
p
r,
41
UNIO MYTILOIDES.
Plate XX.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elevated, subtriangular; epidermis reddish- brown, with crowded wrinkles; posterior side with a broad furrow; anterior side gibbous; umbo tapering, curved, narrowed at the summit, which is much ele- vated; lunule obtusely cordate; within white, purple, and iridescent towards the posterior extremity; car- dinal teeth large, very thick, prominent, sulcated; posterior muscular impressions impressed, the smaller one profoundly.
SYNONYMES.
U. mytiloides, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc Phys. vol. v. p. 47. pi. 82.
fig. 8. Poulson's trans, p. 53. U. rubra, Raf. U. pyramidatits, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, new series,
vol. iv. p. 109, pi. xvi. fig. 39. U. caridiacea, Say of Guerin. Cab. A. N. S. No. 2017.
OBSERVATIONS.
This common species, since its first discovery in the western waters, has always been known by the name we have adopted. It is nearly allied to U. cor, Nob., and U. undatus, Barnes, but is very distinct, although its varieties are intricate and perplexing. Young specimens are very short and greatly elevated, and frequently rayed; old shells are compressed, cu-
42
neiform, and produced posteriorly; the rays confined to the umbo and obsolete. Inhabits the Alabama and Black Warrior rivers.
<
UNIO DILATATUS.
Plate XXI.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovato-elliptical, thick and ponderous, slightly sinuous; posterior side produced, compressed, cunei- form; umbo broad, flattened, summit obtusely round- ed; anterior lunule large, elliptical; umbonial slope angulated, not very distant from the margin; basal margin slightly contracted near the middle; within obliquely sulcated from the umbo towards the poste- rior basal margin; colour purple, with a bluish mar- gin; cardinal teeth thick, direct; lateral teeth very thick, and terminating rather abruptly.
SYNONYMES.
U. dilatatus, Ruf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 31. Poul- son's trans, p. 25. Say, Amer. Conch. No. 6. Ferr. Mag. de Zool.
U. nasutus, Lam. An. sans vert. vol. vi. p. 75.
U. gibbosus, Barnes. Silliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 262.
Cab. A. N. S. No. 1072.
OBSERVATIONS.
In outline this species approaches U. fasciolaris, but "differs in the much less dilated cardinal plate, in having the anterior [posterior] smaller muscular im-
itly iei- nd-
ope
id thin ste- iar- eiy
9
i
jS
r.de
i,in
mi-
7
i,hnn\„ y n,„.„i Lah
■
confined Alabama
TATUS.
1(S
$
X
4
.
DEe
li] ■
■
aial slope nt from the margin; basal middle; within iste- nar-
i
ol. v. p. 31. Poul- Ferr. Mag. de
vi. p.
iolaris,
in
oular im-
Zi
I 'did (1 ilnl rtl u.s, Rn\~iiie,Y(H'<-
%%
Unit) tuherr-til ut us: ' KaJ.
■ ■
sion situated immed b e tip ol
melliform teeth, in
'uie much mo; lines crossin, ing a pur; of'
■
I - • Mi Missouri. In
only in the Tennessee and i It is
common spec Caroh
lacea, \
\
UNIO TUBERCUK
I
(I hi irregt margin; tuberci anterior mar
direct, emarginate; , profo
umbo narrow, very promir proximate, but generally erod-
/• '■■.•■
■EHVl VMt
\M
43
pression situated immediately beneath the tip of the lamelliform teeth, in having the anterior [posterior] lunule much more depressed, with slightly elevated lines crossing the wrinkles."* It also differs in hav- ing a purple interior, varying from an intense shade of that colour, approaching an indigo blue, to a pale reddish-purple. The great thickness of the superior portion of the shell causes the cavity of the umbo to be very shallow.
Common in the tributaries of the Ohio, Upper Mississippi, and Missouri. In Alabama, I found it only in the Tennessee and its tributaries. It is a common species in the mountainous region of North Carolina and Virginia, where, from a poverty of cal- careous matter, it is always comparatively small. U. cuprea and U. atroviolacea, Raf., appear from the descriptions to be mere varieties of V. dilatatus.
UNIO TUBERCULATUS.
Plate XXII. DESCRIPTION.
Shell subquadrangular, convex, thick; disk covered with irregular tubercles, except towards the anterior margin; tubercles largest near the centre of the disk; anterior margin obtusely rounded; posterior margin direct, emarginate; anterior lunule elliptical, profound; umbo narrow, very prominent; beaks pointed, ap- proximate, but generally eroded or worn in maturity;
* Say. Ainer. Conch, pi. 22.
44
umbonial slope angulated; basal margin arcuate; epi- dermis green olive, with green capillary rays over the umbo; within chocolate colour; cardinal teeth very large, direct, prominent, trifid in the right valve; cavity of the beak very profound.
SYNONYMES.
U. tuberculatus, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 42.
Say. Amer. Conch. No. 6. Ferr. Mag. de Zool. U. verrucosus, Barnes. Silliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 125, pi. 5,
fig. 6. U. tuberculosa, Valenc. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1430.
OBSERVATIONS.
Some varieties of this species closely resemble U. bulletins exteriorly, but independent of other charac- ters, the chocolate coloured interior, which, though sometimes pale, never wholly disappears, will at once distinguish the present species from all its congeners. It is a very variable shell; some specimens from the Harpeth river, Tennessee, being much dilated and compressed, and the ligament margin so much ele- vated as to give the posterior side an alated appear- ance. Other specimens are far more elevated in proportion to their length, and the posterior sulcus and emargination profound. These great differences may be sexual characters, but require an anatomical investigation of the animal to settle that point.
Common in the western rivers, and inhabits Lake Erie and the Ouisconsin, according to Mr. Barnes. It is not found in Alabama south of the Tennessee river and its tributaries.
•a
LUrtiii deelivtx, Say.X.TZBtandinaianug, Lea
Lthmnn L'Vitro] IMI'
[O DECLIVIS.
■
■
■
rec 'bliquc
trum of the posterior basa] the umb<
i; card
■ lateral te< th.
. pecuvis, Say. Tra pi. U. geometrtcus, Lea. Trai vol. v. p. 0,
Tt
its gei > me what from either, en which I found in a
i, where the specie com] i an th<
■ station. I -s\
•I
*!
4
■ib
■<%,
4
45
UNIO DECLIVIS.
Plate XXIII.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell trapezoidal, moderately thick; anterior mar- gin obtusely rounded; beaks slightly elevated, with oblique undulations; hinge margin rather elevated and compressed, angulated at tip; posterior margin rectilinear, descending obliquely to a prominent ros- trum of the posterior basal margin at the extremity of the umbonial slope; umbonial slope abruptly rounded, and bounded on its posterior side by two slightly im- pressed lines; basal margin arcuate; surface deeply wrinkled; within tinged with purplish; cardinal teeth oblique; lateral teeth distant from the cardinal teeth.
SYNONYMES.
U. declivis, Say. Trans. Journ. vol. iv. p. 527, Amer. Conch.
pi. 35. U. geometricus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series,
vol. v. p. 38, pi. 4, fig. 10. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1875.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species resembles a variety of the complanatus in its general form, and its teeth and posterior angle are somewhat similar to those ofnasutus. It is very distinct from either. The figure is from a fine speci- men which I found in a small creek in Greene county, Alabama, where the species is abundant, but usually more compressed than the one I have selected for representation. I was unable to find a specimen in
46
any of the large rivers. It is common in Bayou Teche, Louisiana, and has been found in the Ohio canal near Louisville, whence Mr. Hyde has received it.
UNIO BLANDINGIANUS.
Plate XXIII.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell subtrapezoidal, rather thin, ventricose; ante- rior margin very obtusely rounded; ligament margin much elevated, slightly arcuate, angulated at tip, pos- terior margin long, oblique and rectilinear; extremity subtruncated or obtusely rounded; beaks slightly ele- vated, eroded; umbonial slope rounded, very distant from the margin; epidermis finely wrinkled; within purplish, with green stains; cardinal teeth small, single in the right valve and compressed; widely bifid, and rather obtuse in the left; lateral teeth distant from the cardinal teeth, and arcuate; anterior muscular impressions marginal.
SYNONYME.
U. blandingianus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series,
vol. v. p. 101, pi. xv. fig. 44. Cab. Ji. N. S. No. 1859.
OBSERVATIONS.
A species allied to complanatus and declivis, but differing from both in the elevated ligament margin and inflated disks. The anterior lunule resembles
%}
'-X.
I mo JieT.ronattt* <faif.
■ . yj> ...
the preceding i:
t Florida, from an I
wort! Iv dedi
DESCRIPTIO
Shell sublenticul;
i
■
merous capillar the posterior side; with thick, prominent; lateral of the d.
inator, |
tPILLARl . SOC. 1:
v. p. 29, |
, A.N. 8. No. 13!
It would seem from thi I those Unio; aticulated and d
fk
X
3
^
i
i
47
that of the preceding species. It was obtained in East Florida, from an Indian, by Dr. Blanding, and to this worthy naturalist the species has been pro- perly dedicated.
UNIO PERSONATUS.
Plate XXIV. DESCRIPTION.
Shell sublenticular; length rather more than the height; anterior margin forming with the basal mar- gin a regular curve to the termination of the umbo- nial slope; posterior side narrowed; posterior margin subtruncated; umbo rounded, very prominent, subme- dial; umbonial slope swelling near the base, gaping and denticulate on the margin; epidermis with nu- merous capillary rays, profound and undulated on the posterior side; within pink; cardinal teeth direct, thick, prominent; lateral teeth slightly recurved; cavity of the beak not profound.
SYNONYMES.
U. personatus, Say. New Harmony Disseminator, p. 309, 1829. U. capillaris, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series, vol.
v. p. 29, pi. 2, fig. 2, 1832. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1382.
OBSERVATIONS.
It would seem from the observations of Dr. Kirt- land, that all those Uniones which have the peculiar denticulated and dilated base, are female shells; and
48
if so, we arc unacquainted with the male personatus. The exterior somewhat resembles V. Icevigatus, and the cardinal teeth are very like those of U. nexus; Say's description applies only to the immature shell. For the use of the splendid specimen here represented and described, we are indebted to G. W. Feather- stonhaugh, Esq., who procured it from Cumberland river, Tennessee. Mr. Say's specimens were from the Wabash.
UNIO CORDATUS.
Plate XXV.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell subtriangular, not oblique, length and height nearly equal; beaks distant from the anterior margin, prominent, incurved and pointed; anterior lunule very broad and obtusely obovate, beneath which is a flat- tened cordate space with the opposite margin recti- linear; inferior portion of the anterior margin regu- larly rounded to the middle of the basal margin, which is emarginate and ascending posteriorly; sinus of the posterior side not oblique, slightly arcuate; posterior margin rounded above, angulated at its junction with the basal margin; epidermis fuscous, with green interrupted rays over the umbo; within white.
SYNONYME.
U. cordatus, Raf. Ann. gen. ties Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 46. Poul-
son's trans, p. 52. Cab. A. N. & No. 2018.
V .
■
mm
A
i
"IS.
a app]
uted
and described, we are indebted to G. W. Feather-
,, who procured it from Cumberland
ty's specimens were from
E
J
£
I
N.
Shell sul nilar, not oblique, length and height
sarly equal; beal in,
pi'
.
i i
regu-
margin,
posteriorly; sinus
of not obliqt gbtly arcuate;
rgin rounded al d at its
ith the basal m
rithin
Poul-
Z5
i in,) r o rda l n.Y, A' f/ fin i' .vii uf .
Z6
I nio n irirr'' R nj
49
OBSERVA'J
J formerly suppo but the diffe
■ has
■
• he po prolonged obliquely downwards. aabits the Ohio and its tributaries. Tl ci-
longs to the er-
laugh, and is k< , Tenn<
■onne<
\!
UNIO
Plate XXVI.
DESCRIPTIC
h
i ■
■ tened, summ
lated; epide wn, frer;
within purple or salm;
tent; lateral teeth thic! iinal teeth; posterior ssed; •
i
I
ha
IK
k
ski ll
l
49
OBSERVATIONS.
I formerly supposed this shell a variety of myti- loides, but the differences are so constant in a great number of specimens, that it may be useful to intro- duce it to conchologists by the name which Rafinesque has bestowed upon it. It differs from mytiloides in not being oblique, in being about as long as it is high, in having the beaks distant from the anterior margin, and never in any stage of growth having the poste- rior side prolonged obliquely downwards.
Inhabits the Ohio and its tributaries. The speci- men figured belongs to the cabinet of Mr. Feather- stonhaugh, and is from Cumberland river, Tennessee. It connects U. mytiloides with 77. imdatus.
UNIO NIGER.
Plate XXVI.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical; with age, subovate, or subtriangu- lar; thick and ponderous; disks somewhat flattened; posterior lunule with short, oblique, vermicular raised lines; posterior side compressed, cuneiform; umbo broad, flattened, summit obtusely rounded; umbonial slope angulated; epidermis reddish-brown, frequently rayed; within purple or salmon colour; cardinal teeth direct, prominent; lateral teeth thick, distant from the cardinal teeth; posterior muscular impression slightly impressed; cavity of the beak shallow.
G
50
SYNONYMES.
U. niger, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 25. Poul- son's trans, p. 15. Say. Amer. Conch. No. 6. Ferr. Mag. de Zool.
U. crassidens, var. b. Lam.
U. cuneatus, Barnes. Silliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 263.
Cab. A. N. S. No. 2400, 2401, 2402.
OBSERVATIONS.
In the observations on U. congarceus, I compared that species with the niger, but however the young of both may resemble each other exteriorly, the car- dinal teeth of the latter are always more robust and less oblique, and the interior very often dark purple, which is never the case with the congarceus. It dif- fers most obviously from U. dUatatas, in being com- paratively much shorter, and in the raised lines on the posterior lunule.
Common in the western streams, and very abun- dant in the Black Warrior and Alabama rivers. In Detroit river, Michigan, it has been obtained by Dr. Sager.
UNIO GIBBOSUS.
Plate XXVII.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell subovate, oblique, with a submedial nodulous ridge projecting at base; concentric sulci very dis- tinct; posterior side with a wide furrow; umbonial slope angulated; umbo prominent; posterior end and
%'l
'■-..:•:••■•
Cth-.
:a
posterior basal margin emarginate; epidermis smooth, shining, yellowish with i s; within
white, rarely rose colon i
U.
■
OBSERVATIONS.
Besid< the preceding spe< his
ambiance to three no; ti, however, can it be confound-
tho U.j-
■ found it in the Tem but not farther south, distinguished by the dilated inargi profound in this species than in any other.
UNTO GIB
VA
Pi-.
OBSERVATIONS.
This is perhaps a mere variety of U. gibbosus, K bu* much more obli< nearer the
\r^
i
^
51
posterior basal margin emarginate; epidermis smooth, shining, yellowish with numerous green rays; within white, rarely rose coloured.
SYNONYMES.
U. gibbosus, JRaf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 49. Poul-
son's trans, p. 56. U. torulosus, Raf. lb. p. 48. Poulson's trans, p. 56. U. perplexus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new series, vol.
iv. p. 122, pi. 17, fig. 42. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1051.
OBSERVATIONS.
Besides its affinity with the preceding species, this shell has a general resemblance to three others, with none of which, however, can it be confounded by those who are familiar with the subject; these are V.Jtexuosus, U. Phillipsii, and U. refiexus.
Common in the Wabash and Scioto, and I have found it in the Tennessee river, at Florence, Alabama, but not farther south. The female may be readily distinguished by the dilated margin, which is more profound in this species than in any other.
UNIO GIBBOSUS.
VARIETY PEROBLIQ.UUS. Plate XXVII.— Fig. 2.
OBSERVATIONS.
This is perhaps a mere variety of U. gibbosus, Raf., but it is much more oblique, the beaks nearer the
52
anterior extremity, the posterior basal emargination much less profound, and the central tubercles are obsolete; in outline it closely resembles U. obliquatus, but that species is always of a purple colour within, though the tint is sometimes pale.
Inhabits the Wabash river, Indiana, and Detroit river, Michigan.
UNIO TERES.
Plate XXVIII.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell narrow — elliptical, subcylindrical, moderately thick; umbo slightly prominent; summit obtusely rounded; umbonial slope abruptly rounded, submar- ginal; posterior side produced, cuneiform; epidermis yellowish and polished, rarely rayed; within white or pale salmon colour; cardinal teeth double in each valve, subcompressed, very erect; lateral teeth distant from the cardinal teeth.
SYNONYMES.
U. teres, JRof. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 55. Poulson's
trans, p. 68. U. anodontoides, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, new series,
vol. iv. p. 91, pi. viii. fig. 11. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1S83.
OBSERVATIONS.
A well characterized species, approaching the rec- tus in outline, but is comparatively shorter and emi-
I
ne tin i In ie Wabash river, Indiana, and Detroit
nation
re
(us,
■ ■Hi
idrical, moderat. prominent; summit obtusely ial slope abruptly rounded, submar-
m; epider
■
tant the cardinal teeth.
I teres, 7; des Sc. Fhys. vol. v. p. 55. Poulson's
tr.
i.'ries, rol. i
I iie tec- s' and emi-
U/d
_\ I- fin' (errs, Accf.
53
nently distinguished by the peculiarity of its pale epidermis. The sexes are well marked by difference of outline.
Not uncommon in the Western rivers, and in Bayou Teche, Louisiana, where it is ornamented with pale green rays. In the Alabama river it is partial to a muddy bed, and rare on the bars.
I have figured a specimen in Mr. Poulson's cabinet, brought from the west and labelled by Rafinesque.
UNIO SAGERI.
Plate XXIX.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell narrow — elliptical, moderately thick on the anterior and thin on the posterior side; disks slightly contracted from beak to base, causing the basal mar- gin to be slightly sinuous; anterior side short, margin regularly rounded; posterior side produced, somewhat • , pointed, extrem||| obtuse; ligament margin elevated; XUf- umbo not prominent, flattened; umbonial slope round- ed; within bluish-white and iridescent; cardinal tooth in the right valve thick, direct, divided at the summit by a deep groove; in the left valve widely bifid, with a submedial lamelliform elevation; lateral teeth com- pressed.
OBSERVATIONS.
This interesting species was found in Detroit river, Michigan, by Dr. Abraham Sager, of Detroit, to whom
t
54
I have a pleasure in dedicating it. The outline of a young specimen is very similar to a variety of V, dilatatus, but the thinness of the shell, colour of in- terior, and particularly the form of the teeth, will readily distinguish it. The old shell might perhaps be mistaken for a variety of the U. rectus, but the young has very little resemblance to that of the latter. U. dilatatus is found in company with this species, retaining all the peculiarity of habit which it pos- sesses in the Ohio and other tributaries of the Missis- sippi, which confirms our opinion that the shell we described above is new and distinct.
UNIO LAPILLUS.
Plate XXIX.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suboval, thick, yellowish, with very numerous , dark green undulated rays; anterior jnargin not very short, rounded; beaks but little elevated, simple; liga- ment margin declining gradually in an arcuate line; posterior extremity rounded; umbonial slope unde- fined; basal margin straight or slightly contracted in the middle; within pearly white; cardinal teeth direct, thick; lateral teeth thick, oblique; cicatrices very deep and rounded; cavity of the beaks almost obliterated.
SYNONYMES.
U. lapillus, Say. Trans. Journ. of Med. vol. iv. p. 528, Amer. Conch, pi. 41.
■".' ..».- ■ ' ■
I
V.
I h
■ ill
. The old
variety of the / .'. . but tlie
has i iblance to that of the latter.
V with this species, which it pos-
■J
I APILLUS.
DEiv
rous
simple; liga-
in arcuate line;
ed; umbonii pe unde-
tight or si in
ct, j deep cavity terated.
U. i Co
p. 528, Amev.
?Q
y
•
iV'rvia iSaaerij C. &.u.l<LpLUii$,Sa.ii
m
-30
/
'.<-> -truijil is. i. ■! ,
55
, Lea. Trans. Amer. Ph ol.iv. p. x.
16.
Cab S. No.
ERV-fl I
Mr. S the
Induced many, i
• b
The young of that speci
more elongated transverse beaks much undulated," & It is usu;
;
in i
nei ! tch we owe to I
1
k
U> iS.
Shell ovatf the ■■■■ il slope;
;•• margin elevated- into a I bluish and highly iridc • er] , compressed,
I] •.-■■■.
\
be
.V— !.—
55
U. fabalis, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. vol. iv. p. 96, pi. x.
fig. 16. Cab. A. N. S. No. 2404.
OBSERVATIONS.
Mr. Say observes that "the robust teeth and the thickness of the whole shell have induced many, and myself amongst the number, to consider this shell as the young of gibbosus, Barnes, [dilatatus, Raf.] but a very slight examination serves to show that it is very distinct. The young of that species is always much more elongated transversely, not so thick, with the beaks much undulated," &c.
It is usually smaller than the specimen represented, and, except the aciitissimus, is the least of North American Uniones yet described. Dr. Sager found it in Detroit river, Michigan, and it is not uncommon in the Ohio and its tributaries. The figure repre- sents a fine specimen, of more than ordinary size, which we owe to the politeness of Professor J. Green.
UNIO FRAGILIS.
Plate XXX.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate, thin, fragile, somewhat inflated over the umbonial slope; disks flattened towards the base; hinge margin elevated into a large wing, connate; within bluish and highly iridescent; cardinal teeth very oblique, compressed, disposed to be single in each valve; lateral teeth arcuate.
56
SYNONYMES.
U. fragilis, Raj. Ann. gen. ties Sc. Phys. vol. v. p. 29. Poul- son's trans, p. 22. Say, Amer. Conch. No. 6.
U. gracilis, Barnes. Silliman's Journ. vol. vi. p. 174.
U. fragilis, Swains.
Symphynota gracilis, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. new se- ries, vol. iii. p. 66.
Cab. A. N. S. No. 1657.
OBSERVATIONS.
Allied to U. alatas, but is longer in proportion, thinner, and lighter coloured in the interior and epi- dermis. In some localities the wing is small, but in others generally elevated.
Found by Mr. Schoolcraft in Fox river; it inhabits the Detroit river, Michigan, lakes, and the western rivers generally, and I found it common in the Ala- bama at Claiborne.
UNIO ALATUS.
Plate XXXI.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell triangular, ovate, moderately thick; disks flattened anteriorly, and inflated over the umbonial slope; anterior side narrow, margin obliquely recti- linear above; posterior side profoundly dilated, and rising into an elevated connate wing; umbo oblique, inclined, not prominent; posterior lunule with two subangulated lines; umbonial slope regularly rounded; wing emarginate inferiorly; posterior end biangulated;
I
/
\
I
'ted:
■
Poul-
I
rtion. in
it inha
western
i in the Ala-
bo
XL
l
recti-
o oblique,
i arly round
iierioi
biang i
■v
X
Into a La- 1 us, tSau.
3Z
X;v,
. ^--.
( ,m, ijif lulus
/"
57
mis dark green-ol; l; wrinkles Ian
» posteriorly; v (descent;
dinal teeth dir
i
METAP1 V. I
Cab.
. Phil. Soc, (m
OBSERVA
m<
Inl
Terri' Mr. Barnes; Detr
Sager; western streams ally, a
It is extremely in South Alabama
Pla
DESCRIPT]
ell triangular, ovate, thin; eontr; oin beak to
1
■
1
■
57
epidermis dark green-olive, wrinkled; wrinkles lamel- liform posteriorly; within reddish-purple, iridescent; cardinal teeth direct, double in each valve; lateral teeth arcuate.
SYNONYMES.
U. alatus, Say . Nich. Enc, Am. ed., art. Conch.
U. (metaptera) megaptera, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys., vol.
v. p. 299. Symphynota alata, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, (new series,)
vol. iii. p. 448. Cab. A. N. S. No. 20409.
OBSERVATIONS.
This well known species approaches a variety of U. purpuratus, Lam., but is less inflated and has a more elevated wing. From the fragilis it can be distinguished by its larger size, dark epidermis, purple nacre, thicker cardinal teeth, &c.
Inhabits Fox and Ouisconsin rivers, North- West Territory, Mr. Barnes; Detroit river, Michigan, Dr. Sager; western streams generally, and the great lakes. It is extremely rare in South Alabama.
UNIO INFLATUS.
Plate XXXII.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell triangular, ovate, thin; contracted obliquely from beak to base; inflated over the umbonial slope; valves elevated into a small wing anteriorly and into
H
58
a broad high wing posteriorly, and connate in both; posterior margin of the wing arcuate, and slightly emarginate or angulated at base; beaks slightly pro- minent; cardinal teeth single in both valves, and lamelliform; lateral teeth arcuate, prominent towards the extremity; nacre purple.
SYNONYMES.
Symphynota inflata, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series,
vol. iv. p. 99, pi. xiv. fig. 28. U. Alabamensis, Nob. New Fresh Water Shells, p. 67. Cab. A. N. S. No. 20405.
OBSERVATIONS.
Differs from U. (Symphynota) Icevissimus in the inflated umbonial slope and more elevated wing. It was discovered near Claiborne, Alabama, by Judge Tait, and sent to Mr. Lea. I have since found it very abundantly a few miles south of Claiborne, but it is rare in the upper part of the Alabama and in the Black Warrior rivers, and has not hitherto been found elsewhere.
UNIO LEPTODON.
Plate XXXIII. DESCRIPTION.
Shell narrow-elliptical, very thin and fragile, com- pressed anteriorly, and slightly inflated over the um- bonial slope; beaks very small, approximate; posterior
1 1 >th;
h ■
ad it towards
■
new scries,
1
*
is in the It
i a, by Judge I I law ad it
rare in tit-
1
4
\a"
om-
ie mi i-
■ ■
0 •_>
O.)
J--
/
Unto Lefttodortj Jttcf.
59
side produced, pointed; hinge margin elevated; pos- terior margin very oblique, extremity acutely angular, and much above the line of the base; basal margin regularly arcuate; epidermis olive-yellow, with very oblique narrow rays; within bluish, tinged with violet above, highly iridescent; cardinal teeth obtuse, smooth, nearly obsolete; lateral teeth single in each valve.
SYNONYMES.
U. leptodox, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys., vol. v. p. 295.
Poulson's trans., p. 21. Say, Amer. Conch. No. 6. Ferr.
Mag. de Zool. U. plaxus, Barnes. Silliman's Journal, vol. vi. p. 272. Axodoxta purpurascexs, Swainson. Symphyxota texuissima, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, (new
series,) vol. iii. p. 453, pi. xi. fig. 21. Cab. A. N. S. No. 20406.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell has an exterior much resembling that of an Anodonta, but the teeth are generally sufficiently developed to constitute it a true Unio. It is allied to V.fragilis, but differs widely in the teeth, in being pointed posteriorly, and in not being alated. It is connate when perfect.
Inhabits the Ouisconsin, Mr. Barnes. I found a single specimen in Alabama. The specimen figured is from the Scioto river, and was presented by Dr. William Blanding.
60
UNIO ELLIPSIFORMIS.
Plate XXXIV. —Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, slightly ventricose, produced pos- teriorly, moderately thick; disks slightly contracted anteriorly; umbonial slope rounded; beaks slightly prominent, approximate, simple; basal margin dilated posteriorly to the middle; within bluish; cardinal teeth thick, direct.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species I have seen only in the cabinet of Mr. John Phillips, who received it from Michigan. It is very similar in outline to U. lienosus, but the short, thick, direct teeth, simple beaks, and bluish nacre, form a very distinctive character.
UNIO LIENOSUS.
Plate XXXIV.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, inflated, slightly furrowed or con- tracted from beak to base; substance of the shell thickened towards the base; posterior dorsal and posterior basal margin rounded, extremity subangu- lated; beaks pointed, approximate, slightly prominent,
S* ■%£'
m\
J
I
3
£XXI\
■PTION.
vent , produced j
ghtly contra*
slightly
hare seen only in the cabin ^Ir.
who n from Michigan. Il
ver -hort, thi<
^5
! v[V.~- }•
rowed or < :' the shel trds the 1 .r doi
promii
/
2.
Unto elUj>.?ifoTm.is,C Z. (f.li&no.iu*,(i.
61
with interrupted undulations; concentric lines promi- nent; epidermis dark olive, obscurely rayed, wrinkled on the margins; cardinal teeth double in both valves, slightly compressed, oblique, striated; nacre varying from bluish white to deep salmon or purple; cavity most capacious under the umbonial slope.
SYNONYMES.
U. lienosus, Nob. Silliman's Journal, vol. xxv. p. 339, pi. 1,
fig. 4. U. Nashvillianus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, (new series,)
vol. v. p. 100, pi. xiv. fig. 43. Cab. A. N. S. No. 20407.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell is remarkable for inhabiting exclusively the small streams, and is common in Greene county, Alabama. It is a variable species, sometimes not easily recognised, and the sexual distinctions are as obvious as in U. siliquoideus. The colour of the in- terior is remarkably inconstant, but a purple ap- proaching to salmon is the most prevailing tint, and the margin is bluish-white. The affinities are U. parvus, Barnes, and V. glans, Lea, but it is much larger than either, has very different beaks, and does not inhabit the same waters with those species.
62
UNIO STAPES.
>
Plate XXXV.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell subtriangular, compressed, thick; anterior side with numerous approximate, angulated, slightly ele- vated tubercles; disks with a distinct furrow from beaks to base; umbonial slope swelling; posterior slope greatly contracted, tuberculated, angulated sub- medially, and forming a right angle with the umbonial slope; posterior margin direct, forming a regular curve with the ligament margin; emarginate inferiorly; base slightly emarginate; within white; cardinal teeth thick, direct; lateral teeth short, very oblique.
SYNONYME.
U. stapes, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, (new series,) vol. iv.
p. 77, pi. vii. fig. 8. Cab. A. N. S. No. 20408.
OBSERVATIONS.
A rare species, remarkable for the small area be- hind the umbonial slope, which gives it somewhat the form of U. truncatus, Raf. It approaches nearest to the mctancvra, but is very distinct. The shell is not in the least oblique, and the beaks are central, flat- tened and prominent. I found it only in the Alabama river, near Claiborne, where it was first obtained by Judge Tait and forwarded to Mr. Lea.
I
!?/":' i
/. Ullio Stapes. Lea £.. lT.intt.rm edius, Conrad.
Shell
.Tl'
•
Dl
k; anterior side
slightly ele-
from
r^
1
rly; base irdinal teeth thick,
i
IV.
•
ea be- , iat the
>. Tl
not
, flat-
' ;abama
obtained by
36
/. Unio stupfs. Leu Z. i. inter in edi'us; Conrad.
03
UNIO INTERMEDIUS.
Plate XXXV.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suboval, compressed; disks flattened or slight- ly furrowed from beaks to base, covered, except on the posterior side, with small slightly elevated tuber- cles, which are rib-shaped on the posterior slope; umbonial slope not prominent, and rounded or sub- angulated; posterior slope obtusely angulated; beaks oblique, not prominent; ligament margin long, arcu- ate; posterior margin direct, emarginate; within white; cardinal teeth direct.
OBSERVATIONS.
Three specimens of this species were obtained by Dr. S. Blanding, of Columbia, S. C, from Nolachucky river, Tennessee, and were kindly submitted to my inspection. They differ from the preceding in being somewhat oblique, in having less prominent beaks, a wider posterior slope, but particularly in being desti- tute of tubercles anteriorly. From the metancvra it is easily distinguished by the want of a swelled um- bonial slope. It is so evident a link between these two species, that I have given it the name of inter- medins, suggested by my friend Mr. John Phillips. In a young specimen which I have figured, the epi- dermis is covered with small crowded angular green spots, but in the old shell they disappear. The latter becomes distinctly angulated or furrowed on the pos-
64
terior slope, and profoundly emarginate posteriorly, as represented in the outline, fig. 3.
UNIO OCCIDENTALS.
Plate XXXVI.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, convex, anterior margin very regu- larly rounded; anterior dorsal margin elevated; basal margin straight and parallel with the ligament mar- gin; posterior margin oblique, extremity rounded; umbonial slope undefined; beaks slightly prominent, with undulated grooves; summit rounded; epidermis yellowish, with narrow green rays, which are obso- lete or wanting on the anterior side; within bluish; cardinal teeth direct, prominent, acute; lateral teeth lamelliform.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell has an outline similar to that of U. com- planatus. It differs from that species in its yellow epidermis, the peculiarity of its rays, more elevated anterior margin, lamelliform lateral teeth, &c.
Inhabits Currant river, Arkansas, whence it was brought by Mr. Featherstonhaugh, to whose kindness I owe the use of this and several rare and beautiful species.
36
z
I. I'nin Occidentffli-i; C- &>. I'- Collittun, Con.
On sin.eiifT.AT..
•:•
■■■■MW
\~:--'i \\— \ '
65
UNIO COLLi
Pla,
Shell
fitly mity, tl margin straight near the middle; beaks small, slightly promk undulated; umbones with t the
or pale > eeth oblique, rob
A.N. S.
This species may read tubercles on the umbones. The female, v closely resembles , but 1
Consf
>m
whom I r<
■
1/
m
65
UNIO COLLINUS.
Plate XXXVL— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, rather thin, with coarse concentric lines; umbonial slope rounded; posterior side slightly produced, and rapidly narrowed to the extremity, which is rounded; basal margin straight near the middle; beaks small, slightly prominent, approximate, undulated; umbones with two or three small tubercles posterior to the middle; epidermis yellowish-brown, obscurely rayed; within white or pale rose colour; cardinal teeth oblique, robust.
Cab. A. N. S. No. 20408.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species may readily be known by the small tubercles on the umbones. The female, when young, closely resembles U. heterodon in outline, but the usual formation of the lateral teeth and the tubercles emi- nently distinguish it. Inhabits North river, a branch of James river, Virginia, where it was found by Mr. Constant Newkirk, of Washington College, from whom I received three specimens.
66
UNIO SOWERBIANUS.
Plate XXXVIL— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate, convex, with concentric furrows; disks slightly gibbose in the middle; posterior side with a furrow from beak to base; a slight groove on the pos- terior submargin; raised radiating lines extend from the angle of the larger furrow to the posterior extre- mity, which is direct and slightly retuse; basal margin retuse posteriorly; epidermis glabrous, with faint fili- form brown rays; within purple or rose colour; car- dinal teeth very large and prominent, double in each valve.
SYNONYME.
U. sowerbianus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol. v. p. 68, pi. x. fig. 28.
OBSERVATIONS.
The fine specimen of this beautiful and very distinct species which I have figured, was kindly loaned for the purpose by Mr. Featherstonhaugh, who procured it from Cumberland river, Tennessee. I found one in the summer of 1833 on the bank of Elk river, Alabama, and judging from Mr. Lea's figure of the pileus, I supposed it to be that species.* The speci- men is in the cabinet of Mr. Poulson.
The Sovjerbianus is remarkable for its highly po- lished epidermis and raised lines on the posterior side.
* New Fresh Water Shells, p. 69, note.
^
i
. 1.
ntric furrows; disks
-terior side with a
•ove on the pos-
end from
tre-
car- nt, double in each
new series, vol.
c
(Ct
ied for
l, who procured
Juml >ne
er,
: the
ie speci-
lighly po- e posterior side.
iote.
si
67
UNIO POLITUS.
Plate XXXVII.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suborbicular, convex, with slight concentric furrows; anterior margin obtusely rounded; posterior margin nearly direct; ligament margin rectilinear, slightly declining; umbonial slope rounded; disks flat- tened or very indistinctly furrowed posteriorly; basal margin rounded, or slightly gibbous in the middle; epidermis glossy, with fine concentric wrinkles; umbo prominent, smooth and polished, with dark green interrupted rays; within white; cardinal teeth thick, very direct.
SYNONYMES.
U. politus, Say. Amer. Conch., No. 6.
U. subrotundus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iv. p. 117, pi. xviii. fig. 45. Cab. A. N. S. No. 20409.
OBSERVATIONS.
Related to U. Kirtlandicus, Lea, from which it dif- fers in being proportionally more elevated and much less compressed. It is also a smaller species. The name of subrotundus has necessarily been abandoned, as it is preoccupied for a different species.
08
UNIO NEXUS.
Plate XXXVIII.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell triangular, sub-rhomboidal, much inflated, thick; umbo prominent; posterior slope much de- pressed, with a broad, shallow groove, which extends from the beak to the posterior margin; posterior margin forming nearly a right angle with the base, obtusely emarginate in the middle by the termination of the groove; umbonial slope carinated, in conse- quence of the depression of the posterior side; lunule very short; epidermis yellowish-brown, obsoletely ra- diated; within white; cardinal teeth direct; lateral teeth short, with but little obliquity.
SYNONYMES.
U. nexus, Say. Trans. Journ., vol. iv. p. 527, 1831. Amer.
Conch., pi. li. U. arceformis, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iv. p, 116, pi. xvii. fig. 44. Cab. A.N. S. No. 20410.
OBSERVATIONS.
Mr. Say remarks that this species is "related to triqueter, Raf., but differs in the greater prominence of the superior portion of the anterior [posterior] margin." There is also a great difference in the teeth and in the markings of the epidermis, which in the nexus are filiform rays, but in the triqueter gene- rally sagittate spots. Not uncommon in the Cumber-
4 de- ads ior ise, ion se- nile n-
vol.
•nee ior] the
b in
ene- ber-
7 .
<
.
%
il, much inflated,
o much de-
•xtends
-lerior
limule
9 q, obsoletely ra-
eth direct; lateral
to
iinence
or]
:e in the
which in
gene-
in the Cumber-
■mMiM^^B
■VI
'..-
1. Vnio nein.r, li'ay. Z. V. Grecnci. (fonrad
C9
land river, and it seems chiefly confined to the waters of Tennessee — I saw none in Alabama. The figure is from a specimen in the cabinet of Mr. Feather- stonhaugh.
UNIO GREENII.
Plate XXXVIII.— Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell sub-triangular; disks slightly flattened; ante- rior side not very short, margin rounded, not very obtuse; umbo flattened, not elevated; beaks eroded; umbonial slope straight, subangulated; ligament short, ligament margin forming with the posterior margin a nearly regular arcuate line; extremity obtusely round- ed or subtruncated; basal margin slightly arcuate; epidermis wrinkled on the margins, with narrow green rays on the posterior slope and interrupted rays on the umbo; within white; cardinal teeth slightly oblique; lateral teeth oblique and very slightly curved.
SYNONYME.
U. greenii, Nob. New Fresh Water Shells, p. 32, pi. iv. fig. 1. Cub. A. N. S. No. 20413.
OBSERVATIONS.
Dedicated to my friend Jacob Green, M. D., Pro- fessor of Chemistry in Jefferson College, a gentleman well known as a contributor to Conchology. Inhabits the head waters of Black Warrior river, Alabama; not uncommon.
70
UNIO SHEPARDIANUS.
Plate XXXIX. DESCRIPTION.
Shell profoundly elongated, sinuous, compressed, tapering to the posterior extremity, which is trun- cated; valves rather thin, with concentric lines, pro- found over the umbonial slope, which is slightly ele- vated; a carinated line passes between the umbonial slope and posterior dorsal margin; beaks very small, hardly raised above the dorsal line; within purple; lateral teeth long and rectilinear, somewhat dilated or thickened near the anterior termination.
SYNONYME.
U. shepardianus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
v. p. 95, pi. xiii. fig. 38. Cab. .&. N. S. No. 20411.
OBSERVATIONS.
This is perhaps the most elongated, proportionally, of any known Unio, except the Grayanus, and differs chiefly in this respect from U. angustatus, which is the species most nearly related to it.
Inhabits Alatamaha river, near Hopeton and Da- rien, Georgia.
is, compressed,
is trun-
itric lines, pro-
ele-
- • ■
margin
dilated
n.
of chit the s
Inhi, rien, G
ad differs which is
ear HV
QC
39
Unio jShebardicmua, l.rtf .
71
UNIO COMPRESSUS.
Plate XL.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell oblong or elliptical; disks flattened; anterior margin regularly rounded; umbonial slope slightly elevated, rounded; beaks undulated, not prominent, distant from the anterior extremity; ligament margin elevated, connate; posterior margin oblique, recti- linear, extremity truncated and slightly projecting beyond the line of the base; epidermis ochraceous, with numerous unequal green rays, some of which are very broad; within white, tinged with pale salmon under the beaks; cardinal tooth scarcely double in the right valve, very oblique, elongated, rather thick; in the left valve widely trifid, compressed, posterior lobe rather behind the apex.
SYNONYMES.
U. compressus, Deshayes.
Symphynota compressa, Lea. Trans. Ainer. Phil. Soc, (new
series,) vol. iii. p. 450, pi. xii. fig. 22. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1098.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species can at once be distinguished from all others by the peculiarity of its hinge. It inhabits the Ohio, Scioto, and Wabash rivers; also Oak Orch- ard creek, in the State of New York, and Norman's Kill, near Albany. The figure is from a specimen which I found in a mill pond at the village of Adams,
72
Jefferson county, New York, where the species is extremely abundant.
UNIO CAPS^EFORMIS.
Plate XL. — Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell sub-oval, slightly ventricose, moderately thick; posterior side flattened or very slightly grooved; umbonial slope obtusely angulated; basal margin rounded medially, straight or slightly emarginate posteriorly; posterior extremity direct, truncated, narrowed, slightly produced; summits obtusely round- ed, not prominent; epidermis yellowish, with nume- rous narrow unequal green rays; within white; cardi- nal teeth very erect and prominent.
SYNONYME.
U. capsjEformis, Lea. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, new series,
vol. iv. p. 143, pi. ii. fig. 4. Cab. A. N. S. No. 20414.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits Cumberland river near Nashville, Tennes- see. I have found it in the Tennessee river at Flo- rence, Alabama. It bears a slight resemblance to the young of U.flexuosus, and is a very distinct spe- cies. The female is represented in figure 3. Be- tween the sexes the difference in outline is greater than in any species with which we are acquainted, except U. gibbosus, Raf.
-:
■■!v
i
[in ite
id-
ifr
a,
e the species is
r
ORMIS.
ulatc
li
tj
ly round-
• wish7 with nume-
•e; cardi-
43, pi. ii. tig. 4.
■
to r spe-
quainted,
40
I I nio c om hrcssuv. Z. V.c'ap#cefoTmi.<i,Lea. 3. female.
41
•
/ Unio xubhlanu* C. J . V-flavus, Kaf.X
73
i tine sp belong
-.ollection of M I ivillc, TV
i
Six sub-oval; disks flattened; ai regularly rounded, obliquely
!itly oblii ■
■ u ainal tee(
OBSERVA I have re
• VA
H
■
more compi ded with
U. Maso
■»■
1
73
The two fine specimens figured belong to the splendid collection of Mr. Poulson. They were sent from Nashville, Tennessee.
UNIO SUBPLANUS.
Plate XLI. — Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell sub-oval; disks flattened; anterior margin regularly rounded, obliquely descending; umbonial slope rounded; posterior slope dilated; beaks not pro- minent, distant from the anterior extremity; ligament margin elevated, slightly oblique; posterior extremity truncated; epidermis yellowish-brown, with numerous fine concentric wrinkled lines; within pale rose colour; cardinal teeth oblique; lateral teeth rectilinear.
Cab. A. N. S. No. 20412.
OBSERVATIONS.
I have recently received several specimens of this shell from Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, where they were found by Mr. Newkirk in a branch of the James river. Approaches U. Masoni, but is more compressed and elongated, and cannot be con- founded with it.
K
74
UNIO FLAVUS.
Plate XLL— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell sub-triangular, moderately thick; disks flat- tened on the posterior side; anterior margin obtusely rounded; ligament margin oblique, rectilinear; poste- rior margin wide, straight, nearly direct; extremity obtuse; basal margin straight from the posterior ex- tremity to beyond the middle; umbonial slope cari- nated; umbo rather prominent; beaks flattened, with a few obtuse oblique undulations; within salmon colour; cardinal and lateral teeth large and very pro- minent.
SYNONYMES.
U. flava, Ttf. Ann. gen. des Sc, vol. v. p. 59. Poulson's
trans., p. 38. U. rubiginosits, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iii. p. 41, pi. viii. fig. 10. Cab. A. N. A'. No. 1126.
OBSERVATIONS.
This shell is so distinctly described and even figured by Rafinesque, that no honest inquirer can refuse him credit for the species. He remarks that he found "it only in the small rivers falling into the Kentucky, Salt or Green rivers." This peculiarity of habitat is remarkable, and I was unable to find a specimen in either the Alabama, Tombeckbe, or Black Warrior rivers, although several were found in a small mill stream in Greene county, Alabama. Rafinesque re-
4x
capaic, Green.,
75
that the "youi« animal of a deep i ords with i r, consid'
.
UNIO CAP
LIL
thin, trai connate; prominent, d mis straw colour on the p
cardinal teeth lamellar, pr< ight
. crenate and single in the left; la
SVMPHVNOTA .: I
vol. iv. t>- 153, pi
. No. 12
\
OBSERVATIO
■
i«
75
marks that the "young shells are almost yellow, and the animal of a deep or orange-yellow colour," which accords with my own observation. I do not, how- ever, consider the colour of the animal any safe guide in specific distinction, as I have found the same spe- cies, particularly V. decisas, to contain in some spe- cimens an orange coloured, and in others a perfectly white animal.
UNIO CAPAX.
Plate XLIL DESCRIPTION.
Shell very globose; valves rather thin, translucent, connate; umbones tumid, summit obtusely rounded, prominent, distant from the anterior margin; epider- mis straw colour, polished, with two faint green rays on the posterior slope; within white and iridescent; cardinal teeth lamellar, prominent, double in the right valve, crenate and single in the left; lateral teeth arcuate.
SYNONYMES.
U. capax, Green. Cab. of Nat. Hist, vol. ii. p. 290. 1832. Symphynota globosa, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series,
vol. iv. p. 153, pi. iv. fig. 12. 1834. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1227.
OBSERVATIONS.
The most ventricose of all the Unios known, and, when young, one of the most delicate and beautiful.
76 ,
It most nearly resembles U. cardium, Raf., but the tumid umbones will always prove a di$tf/)btf(fi cha- racter. Dr. Green was the first to recognise this as an undescribed species, and his name, having priority, must necessarily be adopted. He observes, "I now describe a fine large shell, which seems to have escaped the notice of our conchologists. The first specimens of this shell which I observed were from the Falls of St. Anthony. I afterwards received it from the Bayou Teche, but I never discovered or ascertained that it exists in the Ohio." Mr. Lea, on the authority of Col. Long, informs us that it inhabits the Ohio, 150 miles below Louisville, Ky.
UNIO RUDIS.
Plate XLIII.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate-acute, thick anteriorly; diameter great- est at the umbones; beaks eroded; posterior side cuneiform; ligament and posterior margins arcuate, extremity subangulated; epidermis brown, wrinkled inferiorly; within white; cardinal teeth small, direct; lateral teeth slightly arcuate.
SYNONYME.
U. ravenelianus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iv. p. 144, pi. iii. fig. 5. Cub. A. N. S. No. 20415.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits French Broad river, North Carolina, Dr.
, f /■■!• : an. ''. V. ail :'«"■>: !■"■»
\h, I found
Warrior r'v Resembli great(
77
!
I
inotl
Shell ov narro
I; posterior slope lim
n
arc> cardinal
r
U. • An. ., vol. v:
P
i
Va
77
Ravenel. I found it in the upper part of the Black Warrior river, Alabama, where it is rare.
Resembles U. pcrovatus in outline, but the shell is far greater in diameter through the umbones, and the beaks nearer the anterior extremity. The most striking character, perhaps, is the accurate wedge- shaped form of the posterior side. Mr. Lea first published this species under the name of Ravenclianus, but as I had previously published a different species with the same name, I am compelled to substitute another.
UNIO OBLIQUUS.
Plate XLIII.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate-rotundate, oblique; disks with a slight narrow furrow on the posterior side; umbonial slope carinated; posterior slope with an obtuse carinated line; ligament and posterior margins arcuate; posterior extremity obliquely truncated; beaks very prominent, curving forward; lunule sagittate; within white; car- dinal teeth directed obliquely backwards; lateral teeth arcuate; cardinal plate much thickened under the cardinal teeth, contracting the cavity of the umbo.
SYNONYMES.
U. OBLiquA, Lam. An. sans Vert, vol. vi. p. 72. Ferus. Mag.
de Zool. U. ebenus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol. iii.
p. 94, pi. ix. fig. 14. Cab. Ji. N. S. No. 1259.
78
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Black Warrior and Alabama rivers, where I found it in abundance; also the Ohio and its tributaries.
The ovate form of this species and its obliquity will distinguish it at a glance from undatus, Barnes. The young is remarkable for being of yellow colour behind the umbonial slope, which soon disappears in general as the shell increases in size.
Mr. Lea appears to be ignorant of the true distinc- tive character of this species, since he affirms that I have published it under the name of mytiloides; the latter is destitute of the callosity of the cardinal plate which characterizes the obiiauus, has a very different lunule, and is dissimilar in outline to that species. Those who are conversant with the two shells will not confound them.
Mr. Lea considers the obliqua of Lamarck to be identical with undatus of Barnes, but Lamarck's de- scription is wholly inapplicable to the latter, whilst it agrees with the ebenus of Lea, with which it is identical, according to Ferussac.
UNIO APICULATUS.
Plate XLIV.— Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION.
Shell subquadrate, compressed; summits not very prominent; hinge margin declining; disks with a dilat- ed not deeply impressed furrow; umbonial slope
//
Mi v¥ -v <M
I [/mo afuriil at u .$•, l?cm %>.[/, bras inujtj > on.
>y
rinated;
, and i
^ed n
ss in sv
OBSERVA .
Im Alal:
I f .
which inii
'ice:
tes .
the \ ; tubercles nearly dis
of
■
F
1
I
DESCRIPTION.
>iar, com
.
•
I'
■
I
)
ft
79
arcuate, carinated; posterior margin dilated, direct, produced, and rounded or subtmncated at base; disks covered with small subequal tubercles, arranged more or less in symmetrical lines; within white.
SYNONYMES.
U. apiculatus, Say. Disseminator, 1829. American Conch.
pi. 52. U. asper, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol. iii. p.
95, pi. ix. fig. 15, 1832. Cab. A. N. S. No. 1877.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Alabama river, near Claiborne, where I found specimens, but they were not numerous nor comparable in beauty to those which inhabit Bayou Teche in Louisiana.
Mr. Say thinks this may prove to be a variety of U. quadrulus, but although it is nearly related to that species we believe it to be very distinct. Old shells become proportionally more elongated and produced at the posterior extremity of the basal margin, and the tubercles nearly disappear on the inferior half of the disks. The figure is from a specimen from Bayou Teche.
UNIO PRASINUS.
Plate XLIV.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suborbicular, compressed, with distant con- centric impressed lines; anterior margin obtusely
80
rounded; posterior margin wide, direct; basal margin straight, parallel with the ligament margin; summits rather prominent; disks smooth, with a few very small tubercles on the posterior side; epidermis olive- yellow, very broadly rayed with green; within white.
SYNONYMES.
U. prasinus, Nob. New Fresh Water Shells, p. 44. May, 1834. U. schoolcraftensis, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series,
vol. iv. p. 149, pi. iii. fig. 9. Sept. 1834. Cab. Jl.N. S.No. 1128.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Scioto river, Indiana.
The specimen of this shell in the cabinet of the Academy of Natural Sciences was brought by Mr. Schoolcraft from Fox river, of Green Bay — others are in the collection of Mr. Hyde. The species differs from II. bulletins, Raf., in being of a suborbicular out- line, more compressed, with much less prominent beaks and fewer tubercles. Some specimens have a few rather large tubercles near the base.
UNIO NODULATUS.
Plate XLV.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell suborbicular, slightly ventricose, moderately thick; posterior margin direct, retuse in the middle; ligament margin straight, elevated, scarcely declining; disks with two scries of distant prominent tubercles;
ti
mzz>
■
Y r.vnio , iiaj z i iullai us, a af
81
posterior slope dilated, with nodules towards the margin; beaks slightly elevated, granulate at tip; epidermis olive-brown and rather smooth; within white; cardinal teeth large and prominent; lateral teeth subrectilinear.
SYNONYMES.
U. nodulata, Ruf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys. , vol. v. p. 41, pi.
lxxxi. figs. 17, 18. Poulson's translation, p. 42. Say. Amer.
Conch., No. 6. Ferrus. Mag. de Zool. U. pustulatus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iv. p. 79, pi. vii. fig. 9. Cab. Ji. N. S., No. 1755.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Ohio river and its tributaries. It is related to U. bidlatus and U. Mortoni. From the for- mer it differs in the regularity of its tubercles, in the dilatation of the posterior slope, and in the absence of the broad green ray on the umbo. From the latter it may be distinguished by the same characters, and, in addition, by the want of a broad depression or furrow, which characterizes U. Mortoni. Rafinesque's outlines of this shell, though rude, are characteristic enough; and his description, though short, perfectly clear and applicable to this species only.
82
UNIO BULLATUS.
Plate XLV.— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elevated, equilateral, inflated, irregularly tu- berculated on the middle and posterior slope; medial tubercles generally large; substance of the shell thick; beaks elevated and granulated at tip; ligament slope descending, short; posterior margin direct, nearly straight; epidermis bright brown, a single broad in- terrupted green ray passes from the apex to the middle of the disk; within white; lateral teeth very short, straight, thick and oblique.
SYNONYMES.
U. bullata, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys., vol. v. p. 41. Poul-
son's trans., p. 43. U. verrucosus albus, Hild. Silliman's Journ., vol. xiv. p. 289. U. pustulosus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iv. p. 76, pi. vii. fig. 7. Cab. A. N. 3., No. 1175.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Ohio and its tributaries, Alabama and Black Warrior rivers. This common species is easily recognised, and will be found to differ con- stantly from U. prasinus by its more elevated and ventricose form and more numerous tubercles. It wants the furrow of the Mortoni, and is besides dis- tinguished by its green ray and larger tubercles. The white colour of the nacre is remarkably constant,
83
as I have never found it to vary in a great number of specimens, which is seldom the case in most other species. A variety is remarkably abundant in the Black Warrior river, at Erie, Alabama.
Mr. Say has referred this species to V. ?iodiilosus, Wood, but the figure of that shell in Wood's Con- chology appears to me to represent a very different species.
UNIO STEGARIUS.
Plate XL VI.— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elevated, ovate; valves thick, with concentric furrows and ridges; disk with a narrow, not deeply impressed furrow from beak to base; umbo and beaks inclining forward; lunule large, ovate-acute, very dis- tinct; beaks pointed and incurved; umbonial slope carinated over the umbo; epidermis yellowish-brown, with crowded, fine, green dotted rays, and broad rays, composed of large dots; posterior margin direct; within white; cardinal plate greatly dilated; cardinal teeth direct, deeply sulcated; muscular impressions small.
SYNONYMES.
U. stegaria, Raf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys., vol. v. p. 46.
Poulson's translation, p. 51. Say, Amer. Conch., No. 6.
Ferr., Mag. de Zool. U. irroratus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. , new series, vol.
iii. p. 269, pi. v. fig. 5. Cab. A. N. S., No. 1122.
84
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Ohio, Scioto, Wabash, and more rarely the rivers of Tennessee. I have not observed it so far south as the Tennessee river, in Alabama. It is a very beautiful species, remarkable for its very numerous dotted rays and its regular and graceful outline, which approaches that of U. retusus.
UNIO DROMAS.
Plate XLVL— Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell obliquely ovate; disks flattened above, and with a very prominent concentric angular ridge in the middle; a slight furrow from beak to base on the posterior side; beaks prominent, summit rather wide, flattened; lunule angular; epidermis yellowish-brown, with very numerous green interrupted capillary rays, and a few broad rays; within white; cavity shallow.
SYNONYME.
U. dromas, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol. v.
p. 182, pi. x. fig. 29. Cab. A.N S., No. 20416.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits Harpeth and Cumberland rivers, Tennes- see; Elk river, near the muscle shoals, Alabama. I have not found it further south.
My father, many years since, received this elegant
I
m
#
ioto, W I
Uabai
nle for il and its ar and grac<
Lt Of I
mid i
flattened above, a ■ hi fun aks pr
> wish-brown,
>l. V.
iennes- iabama. 1
<nt
46
3 r>, •' o <£rom as, Lea
85
species from Harpeth river, Tennessee. It cannot be confounded with U. stegarius, in consequence of its remarkable gibbose disk. The rays are more strongly marked than those of the latter species; the disk is never tuberculated, whilst the stegarius is sometimes covered with tubercles, as Mr. Lea has stated in his remarks upon the dromas. A single valve in my cabinet measures about four inches from beak to base.
UNIO SUBTENTUS.
Plate XLVIL— Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell oblong-suboval, very widely and slightly con- tracted at base; summits hardly elevated, decorti- cated, obtusely rounded; posterior basal angle a little prominent, rounded; posterior dorsal slope with nu- merous subramose, slightly arcuate, oblique, parallel costs; epidermis with broad interrupted green rays, sometimes obsolete; within reddish-fulvous; cavity of the umbo not deep; cardinal teeth somewhat direct, not transverse; lateral teeth slightly arcuate.
SYNONYME.
U. subtentus, Say. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc, vol. v. p. 130.
Amer. Conch., pi. xv. Cab. Ji. N. S., flo. 20417.
OBSERVATIONS.
Mr. Say observes, " in general outline, this shell
86
has some resemblance to U. purpureus, Nob.; but it is distinguished by many characters, and more ob- viously by the character of the anterior costated margin. It is a native of South Carolina,* and was sent to me by Professor Vanuxem, who obtained it from the North Fork of the Holston river."
Dr. William Blanding presented me with specimens from Nollichucky river, Tennessee, the largest of which is nearly destitute of the posterior ribs. I found a few dead shells on the bank of Elk river, near the muscle shoals, Alabama.
UNIO ACUTISSIMUS.
Plate XLVIL— Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell narrow-elliptical; posterior side produced, gradually narrowed to a point; valves thin; posterior side with parallel furrows extending from the umbo- nial slope to base; posterior slope with slightly arcuate ribs and furrows; umbonial slope carinated; beaks not elevated above the dorsal line; epidermis yellow- ish, with green dotted rays; within yellowish, highly polished, exhibiting the ribs of the exterior.
SYNONYME.
U. acutissimus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. , new series, vol.
iv. p. 89, pi. x. fig. 18. Cab. A.N. S.,No. 20418.
* Mr. Vanuxem informs me that he found it in Virginia.
47
-■■ \
)
,^y
.-■■'
t.ZTnio auJttentws, iSav. Z.l aeutixsimite.JLeu 3.1 com a dins. Lea,.
Inhabits the Ala! rare. This is
■
; but le usii
•ome- tin or wanting. I found two fine
viduala at the villi I mty, Ala-
bar in 1
•
Pl
Shell elliptical, basal i htly
rat'
■
3h-
bro ng
to )rl
: new
p. 6 Cab. .
'•-'.>•>■-.
87
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Alabama and Black Warrior rivers: rare.
This is one of the smallest species of Unio, and resembles the young of the conradius, but is much more elongated. Mr. Lea observes that the lateral teeth are single in each valve; but the specimens be- fore me have the usual form of a divided tooth in the left valve. The epidermis is marked with pale green zig-zag lines, and the furrows on the disk are some- times obsolete or wanting. I found two fine indi- viduals at the village of Erie, Greene county, Ala- bama, on a bar in the Black Warrior river.
UNIO CONRADIUS.
Plate XLVIL— Fig. 3.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, basal margin straight or slightly emarginate; ligament margin slightly declining; valves rather thin, with undulations on the posterior side, sometimes obsolete; posterior slope with arcuate ribs; beaks very slightly prominent and undulated, decorticated; epidermis finely wrinkled, yellowish- brown, with numerous green rays; within inclining to salmon colour; very iridescent and furrowed pos- teriorly.
SYNONYME.
U. conradius, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol. v.
p. 63, pi. ix. fig. 23. Cab. JL N. S., No. 20419.
88
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits Flint river, Alabama, near its junction with the Tennessee river, and is common in the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee. This small species is related to U. sabtentus, but is very obviously dis- tinct. It is proportionally shorter than the acutissimus, and has more obvious beaks, but young individuals much resemble the latter species, as may be observed in fig. 4. In some specimens the posterior undula- tions are large and profound, in others more nume- rous and not so distinct.
UNIO INTERRUPTUS.
Plate XLVIII. DESCRIPTION.
Shell subtriangular, disks flattened; umbones broad, flattened, summits obtusely rounded; posterior slope much depressed; umbonial slope abruptly rounded, nearly terminal; epidermis brownish-yellow, wrinkled, except on the umbo; rays numerous, narrow, inter- rupted, of a dark olive colour; on the umbonial and posterior slopes consisting of series of small quad- rangular spots; within white; cardinal and lateral teeth very robust; anterior and posterior muscular impressions deeply impressed.
SYNONYMES.
U. interrupta, Jiaf. Ann. gen. des Sc. Phys., vol. v. p. 36.
Say. Amer. Conch., No. 6. Ferr. Mag. de Zool. U. brevidens, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iv. p. 75, pi. vi. fig. 6. Cab. A. N. S., No. 1114.
IM^BHMaMaaAMi
■/
ion i the
but is verj
• than tin
:als be observed •ior undula-
-
Plate XL VIII.
I
►ad, rior slo
led,
en ■ ■
•onial and series of small quad- • b ior and p<
oh v. p. oh
series, vol.
48
V inttrTu,btu. 8, Rfffivt-sifUe .
49
LU.hlixiis.i'. Z. (fhete.ro t£tm, !.»<£■ 3.V.aanstriotus} Conrtl<£.
I
-
Shell cat
tio,
prom in;
(r^
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h lin<
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7
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v.''"
89
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits Cumberland river near Nashville, Ten- nessee, and Elk river, near the muscle shoals, Ala- bama.
In outline it somewhat resembles Unio lineolatus, but more nearly approaches the penitus. The rays, very wide umbo, and the proportionally shorter out- line distinguish it from the latter species. The lower figure represents the female.
UNIO PLEXUS.
Plate XLIX.— Figs. 1, 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell suboval, ventricose; posterior margin trun- cated or obtusely rounded; posterior slope with nar- row ribs; umbo flattened, with longitudinal undula- tions; umbonial slope subangulated; beaks eroded, not prominent; epidermis nearly black, wrinkled; within purple; cardinal teeth direct; anterior muscular impression very rough.
Cab. A. N. &, No. 20421.
OBSERVATIONS.
This species was sent from Vera Cruz by the American consul, Dr. Marmaduke Burrough. I am unacquainted with its habitat. The larger speci- men, of which an outline is given on the plate, much resembles U. niger, but the undulations on the urn- bones, the proportional length in the smaller speci-
M
90
men, and other characters, render it sufficiently distinct. It has, perhaps, more general resemblance to Unio trapezoides than to any other species.
UNIO HETERODON.
Plate XLIX.— Fig. 3.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell rhomboidal-ovate, ventricose, valves thin; ligament margin short, elevated, parallel with the basal margin; umbonial slope rounded; beaks decor- ticated; basal margin straight in the middle; posterior extremity rounded or very obtusely angulated, a little above the line of the base; within bluish; cardinal tooth in the left valve trilobed; in the right valve, single, elongated, oblique, compressed; lateral teeth slightly curved, double in the right valve.
SYNONYME.
U. heterodon, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.
iii. p. 428, pi. viii. fig. 11. Cab. A. N. St., No. 20425.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the Schuylkill and other rivers in Penn- sylvania. This interesting little species was first found by Messrs. Mason and Hyde, and my father suggested the name of heterodon, which Mr. Lea has adopted. It is related to V. viridis and compressus, but the double cardinal teeth being in the right valve will distinguish it from every other species.
91
UNIO LIENOSUS.
VARIETY CONSTRICTUS. Plate XLIX.— Fig. 4.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, ventricose; beaks rather prominent, undulated, distant from the anterior margin; posterior side furrowed, contracted at base; posterior angle much above the line of the base; epidermis obscurely rayed; within white; cardinal teeth robust.
Cab. A. N. S., No. 20423.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits North river, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Several specimens of this variety exhibit the peculiar groove on the posterior side, which has suggested the name. . In other respects it agrees with U. lineosus of the south-western streams, except that the cardi- nal teeth are more robust.
UNIO STRAMINEUS.
Plate L. — Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate, ventricose; disk with coarse prominent lines of growth; umbo with numerous undulated plicae; umbonial slope undefined; ligament margin elevated;
92
anterior side slightly contracted or furrowed from beak to base; basal margin slightly emarginate; epi- dermis straw-coloured, polished; within white; car- dinal teeth double in each valve; lateral teeth slightly arcuate.
SYNONYME.
U. stramineus, Nob. New Fresh Water Shells, pi. vii. fig. 3. Cab. A. N. S.t No. 20420.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits brooks or mill streams in Greene county, Alabama.
This species may be compared to some varieties of siliguoideus, but is sufficiently distinct, being desti- tute of rays on the disk, and having remarkably prominent lines of growth. The siliqaoideus has not been found in Alabama.
UNIO PATULUS.
Plate L. — Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION.
Shell ovate; convex anteriorly, and compressed and cuneiform posteriorly; substance of the shell thick on the anterior and thin on the posterior side; beaks not terminal, prominent, undulated, almost contigu- ous; umbonial slope undefined or obtusely rounded; epidermis brownish-yellow, with broad interrupted green rays composed of fasciculi of hair like lines; within white; cardinal teeth, in the left valve pro-
:ar-
ties
My
DOt
'ted ( from
i slightly pi-
■ir- ^h valvej lai i]y
.YME.
pi. vii. fig
y
tty,
red to some varieties distinct, being de;
aiarkably Th< s has not
■
\TU}
. iterio -. sed
. ■
1, pre mdulal contigu-
rounded; •ipted hair li] the left val ro-
so
X
y
>
j.U. straminevs, 6-. Z.l ' patnlu-s;Lca.
0 J
/"
-=sszr ; .•■ —
f/7w'w Hemieii, ('onrctfC.
.
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flushed from 7 . •
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.
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93
foundly diverging; in the right valve single, robust, sulcated; lateral teeth rectilinear.
SYNONYME.
U. patulus, Lea. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc, new series, vol.iii.
p. 441, pi. xii. fig. 20. Cab. A. N. S., No. 20424.
OBSERVATIONS.
Inhabits the rivers of Tennessee and Kentucky, and appears to be comparatively rare. It may be distinguished from U. clava by its less oblique and more compressed form; and the beaks are less pro- minent and not terminal. The beaks are acutely pointed at the apex, and nearly touch each other; and they are somewhat flattened on the summit and have tubercular undulations. It is probable that U. oviformis is but a variety of this species.
UNIO HEMBELI.
Plate LI. — Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION.
Shell elliptical, convex, posterior extremity angular, much above the line of the base; posterior slope with obtuse undulations; beaks eroded, scarcely elevated above the dorsal line; umbonial slope undefined; epi- dermis dark brown, becoming black with age, much wrinkled; within white; cardinal teeth robust, double in each valve, direct, profoundly striated.
Cab. A. N. S., No. 20422.
94
OBSERVATIONS.
Many specimens of this shell was sent from New- Orleans in company with the declivis, Mortoni, pur- puratus, &c, but the locality was not given. It has some affinity with the subtentas, but is thinner in sub- stance, and differs widely in the posterior angle. It is never rayed, whilst that species has well marked interrupted rays. Some specimens which are desti- tute of the undulations on the posterior slope might be confounded with U. complanatus.
It is named in compliment to my friend William Hembel, Esq., Vice-President of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
END OF VOL. I.
INDEX
Unio fasciatus,
OVATUS,
— CLAVA, DECISUS,
— REFLEXUS, FLEXUOSUS, PHILLIPSII, METANEVRUS, MORTONI, FRAGOSUS, — COSTATUS, • RETUSUS,
- PARVUS, - GLANS, SILIQUOIDEUS,
~ RADIATUS, PECTOROSUS, FASCIOLUS, CONGARjEUS, MASONI,
— COCCINEUS,
- CATILLUS, PRODUCTUS, LANCEOLATUS,
"-RECTUS, -
- CRASSUS,
- VIRIDIS,
~ OCHRACEUS, -NASUTUS, ICTERINUS,
- CARIOSUS,
- MYTILOIDES, - » DILATATUS, -TUBERCULATUS,
DECL1VIS, *, BLANDINGIANUS,
PERSONATUS, - CORDATUS,
|
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IV
PAGE. PL. FIG.
I-NIO NIGER, - - - - - - 49 26
r GIBBOSUS, - - - - - 50 27 1
PEROBLIQUUS, - - - - - 51 27 2
-teres, - - - - 52 28
SAGERI, - - - - - -53 29 1
LAPILLUS, - - - - 54 29 2
~ FRAGILIS, - - - - - 55 30
- ALATUS, - - - - - 56 31
inflatus, - - - - - 57 32
leptodon, - - - - - 58 33
ellipsiformis, - - - - - 60 34 1
lienosus, - - - - 60 34 2
stapes, - - - - - - 62 35 1
intermedius, - - - - 63 35 1
occidentals, - - - - - 64 36 1
collinus, - - - - 65 36 2
sowerbyanus, - - - - - 66 37 1
politus, - - - - 67 37 2
- nexus, - - - - - - 68 38 1
GREEN1I, - - - - - 69 38 2
shepardianus, - - - - - 70 39
compressus, - - - - 71 40 1
caps.eformis, - - - - - 72 40 2
subplanus, - - - - -73 411
- plavus, - - - - - -74 41 2
apax, - - - - - 75 42
RUDis, - - - - - - 76 43 1
obliquus, - - - - 77 43 2
apiculatus, - - - - - 78 44 1
- prasinus, - - - - - 79 44 2 "s nodulatus, - - - - - 80 45 1
- bullatus, - - - - - 82 45 2
- stegarius, - - - - - 83 46 1 *■ liROMAS, - - - - 84 46 2
subtentus, - - - - - 85 47 1
acutissimus, - - - - 86 47 2
conradius, - - - - - 87 47 3
— interruptus, - - - - 88 48
plexus, - - - - - - 89 49 1
heterodon, - - - - - 90 49 3
lienosus, - - - - - 91 49 4
stramineus, - - - - - 91 50 1
patulus, - - - - - 92 50 2
HEMBELI, - - - - 93 51 1
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW ANODONTA.
ANODONTA V1RGATA.
Description.
Shell subovate, thin and fragile, inflated; umbo prominent, distant from the anterior extremity; beaks pointed, incurved, undulated; um- bonial slope angulated; posterior margin arcuate, extremity angulat- ed; basal margin dilated posteriorly; within bluish and iridescent; cavity very capacious.
Observations.
This pretty Anodonta is related to A. undulata, Say, but can be known by the posterior dilatation of the basal margin, which inclines the outline to an ovate form, and by the rays, which are very numerous and unequal, of a beautiful dark green, or the epidermis is green with narrow pale rays, and much resembles Anodonta radiata, nob.; it is comparatively shorter than that species.
This species was afforded me for description by Dr. Jacob Green, Professor of Chemistry in Jefferson College. Mr. William Mason has specimens from Buck Creek, Clarke county, Ohio.
Vr » v. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW ANADONTA.
^^ -\TTOtMrW.*] ANADONTA CARINIFERA.
Shell narrow, elliptical, compressed, thin and fragile; anterior side narrow, rounded at the extremity; posterior side produced, subcunei- form, truncated at the extremity; hinge margin long, straight, elevated or slightly ascending, from anterior to the posterior extremity; beaks not elevated above the dorsal line; basal margin straight in the middle; colour of epidermis olive-green inferiorly, darker above; hinge margin without a callous. Length, 2| inches; height, 1£ inch. Inhabits rivers in Kentucky.
This species is in the fine collection of my friend Mr. John Phillips, who informs me that it is from the Ohio or one of its tributaries below Louisville. It has much the outline of Unio carinifera of Lam. (the common variety of U. complanatus,) but is proportionally more elon- gated, and the posterior extremity resembles that of Unio declivis, except that it is truncated at the tip.
Unio gibbosus, var. perobliquus, pi. xxvii. fig. 2, 1 have ascertained tQ be a species; it will therefore take the name of Unio perobliquus.
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