Zoological Illustrations, Volume 3: or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting AnimalsSwainson, William
Science
Zoological Illustrations, Volume 3: or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals
Swainson, William
Animals -- Pictorial works
In prosecuting my illustrations of this genus, I have carefully examined
all the specimens in the cabinets of my friends, and have added many to my
own. These materials have thrown some additional light on those species
which I have already described, and have enabled me to detect several
others altogether new. Among the latter is the shell here figured, and
which is so rare, that I know but one example of it in this country. Its
form is more oval than that of _A. rugosa_, from which it is likewise
distinguished by a very small umbilicus, nearly concealed by the inner lip;
the wrinkles are numerous and unequal, the spire pointed, and the aperture
milk-white.
Since my remarks on the _Planorbis cornu-arietis_ of Lamarck were
published, it has been discovered that the shell is furnished with an
operculum: one of these is in the possession of Mr. Sowerby: thus what was
a matter of doubt becomes a fact, and affords the only substantial argument
for terming it an _Ampullaria_. On the other hand, its affinities to
_Planorbis_ (marked by its discoid, depressed form, and the total absence
of the pillar,) remain in no degree impaired. The weight of argument on
both sides _now_ appears to be so equal, that it is a matter of no moment
whether this shell be placed in the system at the end of the _Ampullariae_,
or at the commencement of the _Planorbes_. To the generality of
conchologists, the latter collocation would appear the most simple; but, on
the whole, I incline more to the propriety of considering it the terminal
species of the _Ampullariae_, or that which marks their transition (as I
before observed) to the _Planorbes_.
* * * * *
Pl. 176
[Illustration]
ANODON elongatus,
_Lengthened Anodon._
* * * * *
GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 96.
* * * * *
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_A. testa transversim oblonga, crassa, antice compressa, extremitate
utraque rotundata; umbonibus valde prominentibus, crassis; lamina
cardinali convexa._
Shell transversely oblong, thick, anteriorly compressed, both
extremities rounded; umbones very prominent, thick; hinge-plate convex.
* * * * *
This extremely rare shell bears not the least resemblance to any which
Lamarck has described, or with which I am acquainted. It was formerly in
the late Mr. Forster's collection, and is now in the possession of Mrs.
Mawe. Its form is like that of _Unio ovatus_ (_Mya ovata_ of Montague), but
it is a much thicker and stronger shell; the posterior end is greatly
compressed, but round; the umbones convex, remarkably thick, and deeply
eroded; the inside pearly and iridescent, with a strong flesh-coloured
tinge; the ligamental or hinge-plate is perfectly smooth, and rather
convex; the muscular impressions are deep.
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