The Project Gutenberg eBook ofZoological Illustrations, Second Series, Volume 2

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofZoological Illustrations, Second Series, Volume 2This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Zoological Illustrations, Second Series, Volume 2Author: William SwainsonRelease date: October 29, 2013 [eBook #44057]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Keith Edkins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZOOLOGICAL ILLUSTRATIONS, SECOND SERIES, VOLUME 2 ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Zoological Illustrations, Second Series, Volume 2Author: William SwainsonRelease date: October 29, 2013 [eBook #44057]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Keith Edkins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)

Title: Zoological Illustrations, Second Series, Volume 2

Author: William Swainson

Release date: October 29, 2013 [eBook #44057]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Keith Edkins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZOOLOGICAL ILLUSTRATIONS, SECOND SERIES, VOLUME 2 ***

A few typographical errors have been corrected. They appear in the textlike this, and the explanation will appear when the mouse pointer is moved over the marked passage.

Project Gutenberg has the other two volumes of this work.Volume I: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44056.Volume III: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44058.

Zoological Illustrations,

ORIGINAL FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS

NEW, RARE, OR INTERESTING

ANIMALS,

SELECTED CHIEFLY FROM THE CLASSES OF

Ornithology, Entomology, and Conchology,

AND ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THEIR APPARENT AFFINITIES.

WM. SWAINSON, ESQ., F.R.S., F.L.S.

ASSISTANT COMMISSARY GENERAL TOH.M.FORCES.CORRESPONDING MEMBEROF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF PARIS; HONORARY MEMBEROF THE HISTORIC SOCIETY OF NEW YORK; MEMBER OFTHE WERNERIAN SOCIETY, &c. &c. &c.

VOL. II.

SECOND SERIES.

London:

PRINTED BY W. J. SPARROW, BERNERS MEWS, BERNERS STREET.

PUBLISHED BY BALDWIN & CRADOCK, PATERNOSTER ROW,

AND R. HAVELL, 77, OXFORD STREET.

1831-2.

TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY,

Louis Philippe,

KING OF THE FRENCH,

Whom as aPrivate Gentleman, exiled by despotism from his native country, enjoyed that respect which the dignity of virtue can alone ensure; whom, as aPrince, descended from a race of Kings, gained the affections of a whole people;—as theKingof a great and intellectual nation, enjoys the love and veneration of the wise and the good; and as a truePatron of Science, munificently encourages, both privately and publicly, all who are engaged in its pursuit,

THIS VOLUME

ZOOLOGICAL ILLUSTRATIONS,

Is dedicated,

WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST ADMIRATION

AND OF THE GREATEST RESPECT,

BY THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

The present state of science in Britain, the usual subject of our preface, has recently been discussed by powerful writers;[1]and has drawn from others,[2]equally eminent, bitter reflections. As regards Zoology, there is a great show of patronage. Zoological gardens, and new societies have sprang up: cheap publications, onpopularnatural history, appear daily; and professors have been installed at the two London Universities. Yet what has resulted? We have lecturers expounding systems they do not comprehend,[3]and we have professors maintaining that a walk into the fields will make "a very good naturalist."[4]Meantime nearly every periodical work on pure science has languished or died away. TheZoological Journalhas been discontinued, although nominally patronized by a society enjoying an enormous annual receipt. The fact, indeed, is but too apparent, that the science of the country,speaking generally, has become superficial, while "neither literature nor art has been encouraged in our opulent Island, half as much as they have been by some of the petty kingdoms of the Continent."[5]

But the political horizon is happily brightening, and the change will ultimately affect all. The stream of national patronage has long been prevented from branching off and fertilizing spots, now impoverished and neglected. Natural History, more than any other science, requires such aid; because it is inapplicable to the purposes of life; and while its study is attended with enormous expence, its acquirement leads to nothing tangible. It is a melancholy fact, that while our present laws crush individual exertion, by extorting a large number of free copies of the most costly works, undertaken by their authors without the slightest hope of remuneration,—the Government of France assignsfor subscriptionsto such publications, an annual sum of £10,000.[6]But on questions regarding the patronage of science, Great Britain, unfortunately, is poorer than any nation in Europe.

Pl.46.

FLUVICOLAcursoria.Courier Waterchat.

Plate 46.

FLUVICOLAcursoria.

Courier Waterchat.

Family Todidæ. Sub-Family Fluvicolinæ.

Fluvicolinæ.Bill, in general, strong; depressed, the tip abruptly bent and notched:gapewith stiff bristles.Tarsilong;toesnearly free,clawsslender and acute.Scapular coverslong.Quillandtailfeathers very broad; but the latter of various shapes. Frequent marshy situations in the New World.Nobis.

Generic Character.—Zool. Journ. No. 10, p. 172.

Specific Character.

White, back brown; wings, stripe on each side the head, and broad rounded tail, black; the latter tipt with white.

There is to be found, in Tropical America, a singular race of flycatching birds, whose plumage is black and white. Their haunts are only in the vicinity of water: they pursue their prey upon the ground, running with great celerity, and are constantly in motion. They have, in short, all the manners and habits of the Stone Chats, and when we published the definition of this genus, we were led to believe it belonged to the Saxicolinæ. The present species we met with in abundance at Pernambuco, frequenting the sides of the rivers and lagoons.

It is not surprising that ornithologists, who are so frequently compelled to form their ideas of natural divisions from mere skins, should be entirely unacquainted with the group, of which this genus is probably the type. But it is strange that the full and accurate information concerning it, which has long ago been furnished by Azara, should have been so utterly neglected. In the views which we have taken of the affinities of these birds, we consider they present a point of junction with the Saxicolæ; passing on one side into the genuine Flycatchers of America, (TyrannulaSw.) and on the other into the typical Todies. The contents however of this group, we are but partially acquainted with. It will compriseNengetus, Sw.Alecturus, Vieil, and several other forms now widely scattered in the newest systems, together with one or two others not yet defined, which we have only seen in the Paris Museum.

Since the above was printed, we find the name ofXolmushas just been proposed for this genus by M. Boié, he not being of course aware that this, and some of his other groups, were published by us three years ago.

Pl.47.

MACROPTERYXlongipennis.Long winged crested Swift.

Plate 47.

MACROPTERYXlongipennis.

Javanese crested Swallow.

Family Hirundinidæ.

Generic Character.

Bill(fig. 1.2.) small, entire, base depressed and straight, the outer half of the culmen suddenly curved; lower mandible straight, nostrils large, oblong:Tarsishort, without scales; anterior toes of nearly equal length; (fig. 3.4.) claws strong; hinder toe long, not versatile, the claw very short and thick.Nob.

Specific Character.

Above obscure glossy green; throat, breast, and lower part of the back light grey; belly, spot on the scapulars, and line over the eye, white; ears rufous; front with an incumbent crest.Hirundo Klecho, Horsfield, Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 143, female?Cypselus longipennis. Pl. Col. Pl. 83, f. 1?

Above obscure glossy green; throat, breast, and lower part of the back light grey; belly, spot on the scapulars, and line over the eye, white; ears rufous; front with an incumbent crest.

Hirundo Klecho, Horsfield, Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 143, female?

Cypselus longipennis. Pl. Col. Pl. 83, f. 1?

To Dr. Horsfield, one of the most successful and scientific investigators of Oriental Zoology, we are indebted for the first discovery, in Java, of this charming bird. Of its economy nothing is as yet known; but the uncommon length of its wings, indicate its possessing the utmost rapidity of flight. Another, and a much larger species, is among the Ornithological treasures discovered in the Eastern Archipelago by my estimable friend M. Lesson, and which he has already communicated to the public. A third is theCypselus Comatus, of M. M. Temminck and Laugier.

The peculiar structure of these birds oblige us to consider them as forming a natural group, intermediate between the typical Swifts, and the Swallows. To the first they are allied by their strong scansorial feet; to the latter by the length and fixed position of the hind toe, and the depression of the bill.

We suppose that the figure of the Hirondille longipennes, in thePlanches Coloriées, (pl. 83), is intended to represent this species; if so, it is incorrect, both in drawing, proportion, colouring, and detail.

Pl.48.

EUDAMUS Pl.1.1. Agesilaus. 2. Doryssus.

Plate 48.

EUDAMUSAgesilaus.

Family Hesperidæ.—Nob.(Anopluriform Stirps. Horsf.)

Generic Character.

Antennæ with the club unequally fusiform, the outer half abruptly bent, forming a lengthened, attenuated hook, alike in both sexes; anterior wings papilioniform: posterior wings with the caudal appendages very long and obtuse.

Type.—Hesperia Proteus.Fab.

Specific Character.

Posterior wings dark brown, with a broad, entire, cream coloured margin; beneath marked with two darker bands, and a basal dot: appendages very long, whiteish.

The insects composing this group, have only been discovered in the hot latitudes of America. In theSystema Naturæone species alone is recorded; Fabricius was acquainted with three; our own cabinet possesses eighteen, all collected in a comparatively insignificant portion of Brazil. Others have been figured by Drury and Cramer, so that the number of species already known, may probably amount to near thirty.

The flight of these Swallow-tailedHesperidæ, is usually performed in the morning and evening, and is so rapid, as frequently to elude the eye of the observer. They rest withall the four wings perpendicular, similar to the Swallow-tailed Butterflies, (P. Machaon, &c.) The present is a very rare species; we captured only two specimens near Bahia.

EUDAMUSDoryssus.

Posterior wings, with short snowy tails, and a half border of white on both sides; beneath brown, with a few paler dots near the base.

The sexes of this species materially differ. Our figure represents the female: in the male, the wings are browner, and highly glossed at their base with green; the snowy border on the posterior wings is very narrow above, but much broader beneath. It appears very locally distributed; we found it common in the vicinity of Bahia.

Pl.49.

MITRANÆ Pl. 4.Mitra episcopalis.

Plate 49.

MITRAEpiscopalis.

Family Volutidæ.—Sub-Family Mitrianæ.

Generic Character.

Animal——Shellnever turrited or plaited, ovate-fusiform, thebasewide, obtuse, and truncated:pillarwith 4 plaits: the plaits simple.Outer lipcrenulated, or toothed:Apertureat the base effuse, smooth within, and destitute of an internal groove.Nobis.Types of Form.1,M. episcopalis. 2,papalis. 3,scabriuscula. 4,Zebra. 5,ferruginea.

Animal——

Shellnever turrited or plaited, ovate-fusiform, thebasewide, obtuse, and truncated:pillarwith 4 plaits: the plaits simple.Outer lipcrenulated, or toothed:Apertureat the base effuse, smooth within, and destitute of an internal groove.Nobis.

Types of Form.

1,M. episcopalis. 2,papalis. 3,scabriuscula. 4,Zebra. 5,ferruginea.

Specific Character.

Shell with the spire thickened, and marked by transverse punctured dots: white with crimson spots; inferior spots small and quadrate, the superior large and irregular; pillar 4 plaited.Voluta vel Mitra episcopalis,Auct.(Lam. Syst. 7. 299.)

Shell with the spire thickened, and marked by transverse punctured dots: white with crimson spots; inferior spots small and quadrate, the superior large and irregular; pillar 4 plaited.

Voluta vel Mitra episcopalis,Auct.(Lam. Syst. 7. 299.)

We view this elegant, though common shell, as the type of the Lamarkean Mitres, a group we shall hereafter consider as a sub-family. It is common in various parts of the Asiatic Ocean, and sometimes occurs of gigantic size: in its natural state it is covered with a thin olive epidermis.

We regret that the nature of this work will not permit us to do more than furnish the clue, to the natural arrangement of the two typical groups of this family,VolutaandMitra. The first of these we have, indeed, pledged ourselves to enter upon more fully inExotic Conchology. But the arrangement of the Volutes is so intimately connected with that of the Mitres, that we scarcely know how to illustrate one, without perpetually adverting to the other.

The two typical groups of the LamarkianMitræwe now characterise from their shells; they correspond to those of the typical Volutes; while their internal relations may be learned from the respective types of form here designated. The generaMitraandTiara, each present a circular series of affinities, and are united by the fourth type in each group. Even a partial study of this disposition will reveal to the Conchologist a harmony of design, amid the greatest diversity of structure, which he could scarcely have suspected in the mere covering of an animal.

The shells which appear associated withM. episcopalis, in this type of form, are never coronated: the only external sculpture which they in general possess, are delicate rows of minute punctured dots, in the typical examples, asPertusa,millipora,versicolor, the outer lip is acutely toothed; while in the aberrant species,Melaniana,tessellata,scutulata,&c. this part is smooth.

Pl.50.

MITRANÆ Pl. 5.1. Tiara isabella. 2. sulcata.

Plate 50.

TIARAisabella.

Fawn coloured Mitre.

Order Zoophaga. Family Volutidæ.

Sub-Family Mitrianæ. (G. Mitra. Auct.)

Generic Character.

Animal——Shell turrited, fusiform, thebasecontracted and slightly recurved;pillarwith 4-5 plaits, the upper plait sulcated:outer lipsmooth, or entire.Aperturenarrow, striated within, and presenting an internal groove at its upper extremity.Nobis.Types of Form.1,M. Corrugata. 2,Regina. 3,Sanguisuga. 4,Microzonias. 5,Isabella.

Animal——

Shell turrited, fusiform, thebasecontracted and slightly recurved;pillarwith 4-5 plaits, the upper plait sulcated:outer lipsmooth, or entire.Aperturenarrow, striated within, and presenting an internal groove at its upper extremity.Nobis.

Types of Form.

1,M. Corrugata. 2,Regina. 3,Sanguisuga. 4,Microzonias. 5,Isabella.

Specific Character.

Ti. (Ty. 5) Shell slender, fawn coloured, unspotted, marked by slender crowded, transverse, convex ribs, the interstices deeply cancellated; inner lip wanting, outer lip crenately undulate; pillar 5 plaited.

It is highly probable that the Mitres, like some other carnivorous marine animals, seek their prey, and habitually reside, in the deep recesses of the ocean. Instances are recorded of individuals having been brought up from great depths; and notwithstanding the number of species, of which we already know near 150, very few are common.

This genus, in short, is now become too overloaded, even for the purposes of artificial arrangement: but we refrained from characterizing any other group thanConohelix, until we analized the remainder.Tiaraappears to be the second, or sub-typical group. The subordinate section, or type of form, represented by T.isabella, includes several little known shells, all marked by delicate transverse ribs and longitudinal striæ: the outer lip is not strictly toothed or crenated, but is merely undulated by the external sculpture: this subordinate group inTiara, is aberrant: all the species whose habitat we know, have come from the Pacific Ocean.

Tiara isabellais a shell of the greatest rarity. Our drawing was made from a specimen (presumed unique) sold at the Bligh Sale for 3l.3s.It was stated to come from New Holland, and is now in the Manchester Museum.

TIARAsulcata.

Sulcated Mitre.

Tiara. (Ty. 5.) Shell marked by distinct, carinated, remote transverse ribs, the interstices concave: pillar three plaited, epidermis brown.

For this new and very distinct species, we are indebted to Mr. Bulwar. It was collected on the Pacific side of the American Isthmus. The central line indicates the true size of our specimen.

Pl.51.

SYLVIARegulus.Gold-crested Warbler.

Plate 51.

SYLVIARegulus.

Gold-crest. Golden-crested Warbler.

Family, Sylviadæ. Sub-family, Sylvianæ.Nob.(See North. Zool. Vol. 2.)

Generic Character.

Billvery weak, considerably compressed, nearly straight; the tip bent and notched:rictusbristled.Wingsmoderate.Tailrather short.

Sub-genera.Acanthiza.Horsf. & Vig.Phyllopneuste.Meyer. pars.

Specific Character.

Sides of the head without any indication of white bands, crest of the male yellow-orange, bill very weak.Temminck.Sylvia Regulus.Tem. Man. 1. 229. Roitelet ordinaire.Motacilla Regulus.Linn. 1. 338.Golden-crested Wren.Montague, Ornith. Dict. 2. p.—See particularly the Introduction to Vol. 1. p. 34.

Sides of the head without any indication of white bands, crest of the male yellow-orange, bill very weak.Temminck.

Sylvia Regulus.Tem. Man. 1. 229. Roitelet ordinaire.

Motacilla Regulus.Linn. 1. 338.

Golden-crested Wren.Montague, Ornith. Dict. 2. p.—See particularly the Introduction to Vol. 1. p. 34.

With the exception of the Humming Birds, the Gold crests are the smallest birds in creation. The natural size of the only species found in this country is here represented; while the weight seldom exceeds eighty grains. Notwithstanding its delicate structure, this beautiful little bird braves the severest winters of Northern Europe: it is found in Denmark (Müll. Zool. Dan.), and extends to the borders of the Arctic Circle, (Temm.) It is more frequent with us than is generally supposed, but its diminitive size screens it from observation. It is perpetually in motion: hopping among the branches, examining every leaf and spray, and will frequently catch minute insects that endeavour to escape, by darting at them like a Flycatcher: we have repeatedly watched a pair of these birds which frequented our garden at Warwick, in the middle of winter, for three years: their favourite resort was an old fir-tree, which they regularly and carefully explored, much in the manner of the Titmice (Parii.)

If the name ofSylviais to be retained in Ornithological systems, it should obviously be applied to this, which has been correctly thought the typical group of the whole family.Acanthiza, for reasons elsewhere explained, appears a subordinate type, andPhyllopneustecannot be adopted, without a glaring violation of natural affinities.

Pl.52.

PHÆNICORNISflammeus.Orange Redbird.

Plate 52.

PHÆNICORNISflammeus.

Orange Redbird.

Family Laniadæ. Sub-family Ceblepyrinæ.Nob.

Generic(?) Character.

Billwith the sides compressed, the under mandible rather thick, the gonyx ascending:rictusbristled.Featherson the back andrumpslightly spinous.Wingsshort.Tailrather lengthened, graduated, the tip forked: the feathers narrow.

Phænicornis.Nob. Boié (pars.)

Specific Character.

Glossy black and golden orange: head, throat, wings, upper part of the back and middle of the tail glossy black; wings with two stripes of orange.Muscicapa flammea.Auct. Tem. Pl. Col. pl. 263.

Glossy black and golden orange: head, throat, wings, upper part of the back and middle of the tail glossy black; wings with two stripes of orange.

Muscicapa flammea.Auct. Tem. Pl. Col. pl. 263.

Mus. Paris. Nost.

The Birds now arranged under this group, exclusively belong to Southern India and its luxuriant Islands. About five species have been discovered, most of which are ornamented with a plumage of the brightest scarlet, crimson, or orange, relieved by glossy black. Their economy is not known, but their structure leads us to believe they live upon caterpillars and soft insects; as another group, representing these birds in Africa, are known to prefer such food. Both have the back feathers thick and rigid; although these characters are least apparent inPhænicornis. Our figure is nearly of the natural size. The female is stated to be yellow, where the male is orange. It appears to be not uncommon in Java.

The generaParus,Turdus,MuscicapaandSylviahave alternately been made the receptacles for these birds; to neither of which do we consider they have any immediate affinity. Their whole structure evidently accords with that of the Ceblepyrii, or Caterpillar catchers, of M. Cuvier; a group first pointed out by Le Vaillant: but as these have never been put in order, we can say nothing on the rank ofPhænicornis, or on its various relations.

Pl.53.

VOLUTILITHES. Pl. 1.1. Muricina. 2. pertusa.

Plate 53.

VOLUTILITHESmuricina.

Family, Volutidæ. Sub-Family, Volutinæ.Nob.

(Genus Voluta, Lam.)

Generic Character.

Spiral whorls regularly and gradually diminishing towards the apex, which is always acute. Plaits of the pillar numerous, always indistinct, generally evanescent, and sometimes wanting.Nobis.

Type, Voluta musicalis?Lam.

Specific Character.

Shell nearlyfusiform, the base narrow and smooth; the upper part with longitudinal, subcostated, spinous plaits: inner lip thickened, the last plait on the pillar very thick, and separated from the others, which are slender, and nearly obsolete, by a deep groove.Voluta Muricina.Lam. Syst. 7, 1, 350. Ency. Meth. pl. 383. f. 1.

Voluta Muricina.Lam. Syst. 7, 1, 350. Ency. Meth. pl. 383. f. 1.

The fourth principal division of the Lamarkian Volutes has hitherto been found only in a fossil state; unless, indeed, theVoluta Brazilianareally belongs to this type. The species are very numerous, both in the London clay, and theCalcaire grossierof Grignon. They offer some beautiful types of form, representing the conterminous groups in this family, some of which we may hereafter notice more particularly. The pre-eminent type may probably be theV. musicalisof Lamarck; as yet, we only know this fossil from descriptions and figures, but it has obviously been confounded with several others.

Lamarck has given a character so exquisitely finished ofV. muricina, that we have done little more than translate his words. Our specimen appears to be from Grignon, and was furnished to us with the following, by Messrs. Stuchbury, 33, Theobald's Road, Bedford Row.

VOLUTILITHESpertusa.

Shellsubfusiform, and the base striated; the upper part with thick, remote, and somewhat nodulous ribs; traversed near the suture with lines of punctured striæ; inner lip thickened, plaits on the pillar distinct, the last very strong, the two next smaller, and the upper very slender.

This species is certainly undescribed by Lamarck, nor do we find it in Dr. Fleming's useful compendium of the "Mineral Conchology." Our specimen has the grey tinge of the London clay fossils. Neither of these species are typical; as they represent the recent costated Volutes, in the adjoining group.

Pl.54.

MITRANÆ. Pl. 6.1. Mitrella fusca. 2. ocellata. 3. olivæformis.

Plate 54.

MITRELLAfusca.

Family Volutidæ. Sub-family Mitriana.Nob.

Generic Character.

Shell smooth, polished, sub-fusiform, the base obtuse and effuse; the plaits of the pillar oblique, and extending far beyond the aperture; outer lip internally smooth, the margin entire.Nobis.

Types of form.

1.M. fissuella.2.casta. bicolor.3.Olivæformis.

Specific Character.

Shell entirely brown, marked by bands of punctured dots; spire and aperture nearly equal.

The natural situation of this group, in its own circle of affinity, has already been shewn; it connects, in the most satisfactory manner, the genusMitra, as now restricted, with that ofConohelix, and opens at the same time a passage to the Olives. The species yet discovered are few, and hence we yet can only trace three types of form; the first evidently representingMitra, and the third, probably, typifyingConohelix.M. OlivariaLam., which truly belongs to this genus, may, perhaps, be only a modification of the 2nd type, to which our present species strictly belongs. The representation of this group among the Volutes, will be found inVoluta Zebraand its allies.

Mitrella fuscais small, and of great rarity; our own specimen, beautifully perfect, is the only one we have yet seen.

MITRELLAocellata.

Shell whiteish, the lower half of the principal whorl brown, with a band of alternate rufous and white spots, and marked with reticulated white lines, and remote sulcated striæ, internally punctured; spire, and upper part of the body whorl, delicately plaited, the plates crossed by transverse lines of excavated dots.

This species has probably been overlooked as a variety ofM. Fissurella; its markings, indeed, are partially the same, but its sculpture, and even its form, proves it to be distinct. The alternate white and rufous spots bear a fanciful resemblance to eyes. The description ofM. Olivæformishas already been given at Pl. 48, in the first volume of our former Series.

Pl.55.

MARGARITADÆ Pl. 1Margarita crocata.

Plate 55.

MARGARITAcrocata.

Orange Pearl-Oyster.

Order Acephala. Family Margaritadæ.Nob.

Margaritadæ.Animalbyssiferous, attached to marine bodies by a fascicle of tendinous filaments.Shellfoliaceous, the centre internally pearly and iridescent: the form irregular; the margins fragile and transparent.Nob.

Genera. Margarita. Malleus. Perna. Pinna.(Vulsella?)Lam.

Sub-genera? Avicula. Crenatula. Inoceramus.Auct.

Generic Character.

Margarita. See Leach. Zool. Miss. 1. p.107. (1814.)

(Meleagrina. Lam. Syst. 1819.)

Specific Character.

Shell subquadrate, squamose, fulvous or yellow, the ear of the right valve dilated and scarcely sinuated, that of the left valve very small: inside silvery blue, hinge smooth.

It is the animal of this genus of Shells, which in sickness and disease, produces the true oriental Pearl: the costly ornament of sovereigns, and the chaste foil of beauty. An interesting account of the Pearl fishery of Ceylon, will be found in Mr. Wood's entertainingZoography, extracted from Percival's History of that island.

The present is a small species, seldom exceeding the size of the figure: in young shells there is a cardinal tubercle in our valve, which disappears with age. The Pearl-oysters are nearly all inhabitants of warm seas; the species require much elucidation.

The genera, above enumerated, appear to present such a series of affinities, as to justify our suspicions that they form a natural group: the more so, as their analogies may be traced among the perlacious fluviatile shells, forming our familyUnionidæ. If further investigation should confirm the correctness of this idea, the sub-genera will, of course, become types of form; bearing the same relation to the genera, asDipsusdoes toAnodon, orCastaliatoHyria.

Back to Index Next