1. Gryphæa. One species.
This genus resembles the Ostrea, with which it was formerly classed, but from which it is distinguished by the peculiar character of the lower valve. It is very deep and carinated, with a summit terminating in a long spirally recurved beak, slightly turned to one side; the edge sharp and angular.
It is seldom, if ever, attached to other bodies. Shell more finely lamellated than that of the oyster, free or slightly adherent, sub-equilateral, very inequivalve; the lower valve very concave, with a summit more or less recurved like a hook; the upper valve much smaller, and formed like a lid; hinge without teeth; ligament inserted in an oblong arched cavity; one single muscular impression on each valve.
G. angulata. The angulated Gryphæa. Pl. [16], fig. 2.
Oblong ovate, with three long longitudinal carinated ribs below; summit of the inferior valve is subvolute. This is a rare shell.
2. Ostrea. The Oyster. Forty-eight species.
As given by Lamarck, is a natural and well-defined family. It is too well known to require description. It fixes itself to other bodies by the laminæ of the whole surface of one valve, and generally remains immoveable, exhibiting no other signs of life other than that of opening its valves to receive nutriment.
Shell irregular, inequivalve, inequilateral, exterior roughly foliaceous, interior somewhat pearly; the left or inferior valve larger, deeper, and adhesive, its summit prolonging with age in a sort of heel, the right or superior valve smaller, more or less in the form of a lid; hinge without teeth; ligament short, sub-interior, inserted in an oblong cardinal cavity, increasing with the summit; muscular impression single and sub-central.
Ostrea edulis.
O. hippopus.