Zoological Illustrations Volume I Part 23

[Ill.u.s.tration]

MITRA lyraeformis.

_Harp Mitre._

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 23.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_M. testa costis regularibus, carinatis, approximatibus: columella striata, juxta basin triplicata: spira subattenuata; apice subpapillosa._

Sh.e.l.l with regular, carinated, approximating, longitudinal ribs. Pillar striated, three-plaited near the base. Spire somewhat attenuated. Apex slightly papillary.

This beautiful and highly interesting sh.e.l.l has been generally considered _unique_ among the collections in this country. It was originally in the possession of the late Mr. Jennings, and, I am informed by Captain Laskey, was on first being received, in a much finer state. Mr. Jennings had it cleaned, and in so doing many of the delicate transverse striae were partially obliterated, and the sharp ridges on the longitudinal ribs worn down, as indeed was apparent from a drawing Captain L. had made of the sh.e.l.l previous to this unmerciful cleaning. It however still remains a very fine sh.e.l.l, and is now in the cabinet of Mrs. Bolton, of Storr's-hall, to whom I am obliged for the opportunity of now publis.h.i.+ng it.

The figure and specific character will sufficiently point out its distinctions. The body-whorl is smooth, but strongly granulated at the base; the spire delicately striated between the ribs; the two last whorls before the apex are close, thick, and somewhat papillary; the apex itself small and sharp. The upper part of the inner lip has some faint obsolete teeth, but the base has three very strong ones.

It connects in the most beautiful manner the two genera of _Mitra_ and _Voluta_. Its country is unknown.

Pl. 55

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SOLEN ambiguus.

_Ambiguous Solen._

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Testa bivalvis, aequivalvis, transversissime elongata, utroque latere hians. Dentes cardinales parvi, fragiles, numero variabiles, rar divaricati. Ligamentum externum; animal ad extremitatem anteriorem pede subcylindraceo; ad posteriorem siphone brevi duos alteros conjunctos continente._ Lamarck.

Typus Genericus _Solen v.a.g.i.n.a_ Pennant.

Sh.e.l.l bivalve, equivalve, very transversely elongated, open at both ends. Cardinal teeth small, fragile, variable in number, and rarely divaricated. Ligament external. Animal with a sub-cylindrical foot at the anterior end, and at the other a short tube containing two others united together. _Lamarck._

Generic Type _Solen v.a.g.i.n.a_ Pennant.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_S. testa lineari, cra.s.sa, recta, pallida, obscure radiata; cardinibus unidentatis, margine anteriore sub-approximantibus._

Sh.e.l.l linear, strong, straight, pale, obscurely radiated. Cardinal teeth one in each valve, placed near the anterior extremity.

Solen ambiguus. _Lam. Syst. vol._ iii. _p._ 452. _no._ 7.

Under the genus _Solen_ (vulgarly called Razors or Pods) are comprehended a variety of sh.e.l.ls having the common character of both extremities open or gaping when the valves are together, yet differing materially in their form, teeth, and general appearance: some are long, slender and straight; others more or less curved; a few short and oval, or with one end only lengthened. Modern writers have, however, retained nearly all these in the genus as left by Linnaeus; and this method for the present is more desirable than that of creating a multiplicity of genera. Dr. Turton, in his very useful Conchological Dictionary, enumerates thirteen species as found on the British coast, including the _Solen Novacula_ of Montagu, which the Doctor suspects is not truly a species. The original specimens which Montagu described I have carefully inspected at the British Museum, and have no doubt in my own mind they are in reality no other than _S. Siliqua_ with one of the cardinal teeth broken off; a circ.u.mstance which, from their fragility, frequently happens, even in opening the recent sh.e.l.l.

_Solen ambiguus_ was first described by Lamarck, who says it is from North America. Two or three specimens are in my possession; but it is a rare species, much thicker, and with larger teeth than any other; the epidermis is pale-brown, and in some parts obliquely lineated.

Pl. 56

[Ill.u.s.tration]

RAMPHASTOS vitellinus.

_Sulphur-and-white-breasted Toucan._

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 45.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_R. niger, gula flavo-aurantia; lateribus auribusque albis; fascia pectorali tegminibusque rubris; rostro nigro fascia basali caerulea, culmine subcurvato convexo, lateribus incra.s.satis._

Black; throat yellowish-orange; the sides and ears white; pectoral bar and tail-covers red; bill black, with a blue basal belt, the top convex and but slightly curved, the sides thickened.

R. vitellinus. _Illiger_ ----

Le Pignancoin. _Vaill. pl._ 7.

_Var._? Le Grand Toucan a ventre rouge. _Vaill. pl._ 6.

The descriptions of Dr. Latham, and the compilations of Dr. Shaw on the various species of Toucans, are so confused, and their synonyms so inaccurate, that it is quite impossible to quote them in reference to this bird; but which I am informed has already been distinguished by the celebrated Illiger as a distinct species, under the name here adopted.

Independent of colour, this differs from _R. Tuca.n.u.s_ in having the bill less curved, the top convex and obscure pink, not flat and blue. The belt at the base is always vivid blue (grey in the dead bird), not, as in _R.

Tuca.n.u.s_, of a rich yellow. This I have never met with in Brazil; the other is common from lat. 8 to 23 S. A drawing from the live bird by the late Sydenham Edwards (obligingly lent me by Lord Stanley) confirms others I have seen as to the colour of the bill, orbits, &c. It varies, however, in that of the throat, breadth of the red band, and in the tail-covers. A specimen I possess being somewhat larger, the breast is nearly white, and the upper tail-covers sulphur. In young birds the white on the sides is tinged with grey. I am inclined to consider the _Grand Toucan a ventre rouge_ of Vaillant as a mere variety, having the red pectoral bar very broad.