An Account of Animals and Shells Sent from Carolina to Mr James Petiver, F. R. S.

I. An Account of Animals and Shells sent from Carolina to Mr James Petiver, F. R. S. Sect. I. The Crustaceous Animals are, 1. The Thorny-edged CAROLINA Crab. Cancer CAROLINIANUS marginibus spinosis. an Guaja alia species Marcgr. 182. fig. 183. i? an Pagurus Reidjungan Rumph. Hist. Nat. Amboinae p. ii. c. 8. Tab. 7. Fig. R? Each side of this Crab is arm'd with a strait and strong Thorn, the Edges from thence to its Mouth is beset with many smaller, as are some parts of the Claws, particularly next the Body; its Back is variously ponct with Sand like Warts, which, with other particulars, will be best understood by its Figure, which I design in my 3d, if not in my 2d Book of Decades. This Crab our Worthy Friend Dr Litter, her Majesty's Physician, was pleased to give me. 2. The red blotted CAROLINA Crab. Cancer CAROL. lituris eleganter rubris GAZO-PHIL. NAT. Tab. Fig. an Cancer, marinus laevis Rumph. Hist. N. Amboin. p. io. c. 7. i. Tab. 6. Fig. N? The variable spots on the back of this are more easily known by the Figure I have given of it than can be exprest in words. 3. Cancer an CAROL. ruber, vermiculis quasi, maculisque pallescentibus. Its Back is red like a boiled Lobster, and interspersed with small pale spots, and intorted ramifications, resembling our White Falmouth Corall, but much lesser, tho tho in some places more branched. I take this to be a Carolina Crab, but are not certain, however in the interim it may be distinguished by the name of the Vermicular Red Crab. 4. The 5 holed CAROLINA Sea-Urchin or Fritter: Echinus compressus CAROL. &c. Musci Noft. 125. Fig. This is a very singular Animal, having 5 oblong perforations thro' the body of the Shell, viz. 4 against as many points of a 5 ray'd Star, lying in the midst of the Shell; the other is placed between two of its beams, as may be plainly seen and understood by my Figure: these are of different magnitudes, having seen them from less than 2 inches to almost 4 diameter, and this last, in the midst, where its thickest exceeds not half an inch, and gradually to its edges, which are thinner than a Shilling. I am obliged to my very generous Friend Dr Lister for the first of these wonderful Animals, and very lately to Madam Williams, a Gentlewoman whom I am also highly obliged to, for most of the following Shells, viz. Sect. II. Bivalves, of which kind are Schollops, Cockles, Oysters, Muscles, &c. in mentioning these and other Tribes, I shall follow the accurate Order of Dr Lister's History of Shells. 5. Mytulus CAROLIN. latus striis rugosis. An Pectunculus striis planis & dentatis insignitus Lister Hist. Conchyl. L. 16. 3. Tab. 242. Fig. 79? These vary in bigness; a valve of the largest, which was 2 inches long and three quarters broad, weighed 3½. The Nose lies in the midst of its hinge; the Sinæ are flat and milled, like the edges of a new Shilling: each Valve is flatish at one end and composed of about 8 furrows. My late kind Friend Mr Robert Ruthertford I am obliged to for the first of these Shells. 6. Mytulus JAMAICENSIS Pectunculi nari eculenti faciendis. Pectunculus dense striatus, margine fere inaequali & sinuosa List. Conch. L. 3. Tab. 229. Fig. 64. This is distinguished from the last in being less, having smaller size and smooth (much resembling our common Cockle, Mus. No.835) but particularly in being Ear-nosed, viz. inclining more towards one end of the hinge, whereas the last was in the middle. I take the native colour of this Shell to be Chestnut, but the dead ones change black or white, as they are either dy'd in the Mud, or blancht by the Sun on the Shore. 7. Chama CAROL. levis & laevis. All of this kind were dead shells, so that I can say nothing of their Colour; a valve of the largest tho' 2 inches and ½ long and about an inch and ¾ broad, and ½ inch high, weigh'd but 3½ and 4½ and 6 grains, i.e. in all 8½ grains, yet some of the same dimensions weighed a few grains heavier. 8. Chama CAROL. parva, fascijs fere laevis. This Shell resembles our Nut-Muscle. Mus. no.831. but is thicker and one end pointed; we have an English Shell like this, which I may in a little time have an occasion to speak of. 9. Chama CAMPEACHEANA alba, fasciata tenuis. Pectunculus albus tenuis rhomboides, rarioribus fascijs exasperatus Litt. H. C. L. 3. Tab. 308. Fig. 141. The white Campeachy Spoon-Muscle. This Shell is so thin and brittle, it rarely comes to us whole. The curious Dr Lister gave the first of these, 4 August 1697, and my kind friend Mr Fisfield, Surgeon, has since brought it me from the Island of Triss, and Mr. Williams has now sent me one of the largest and fairest I have yet seen, the Valve 3 inches long, 2½ broad and 1 deep, yet weighed not 3½ and 3½. 10. Musculus BARBADENSIS exiguum, cardine serrato. Musculus parvus, subluteus, angustus, leviter striatus Litt. H. C. L. 3. Tab. 365. Fig. 205. The small Barbadoes Muscle. This is a deep, thin, light, small, finely striated Shell; a pair of the largest was but an inch long, ½ inch broad, and both valves not ½ inch deep, weighed scarce 6 grains; by these these marks and its long notch hinge, it's easily known from most others. 11. Musculus CAROLIN. albus, fasciatus. The Figure of Dr Lister's Jamaica Tellina tenuis ad umbonem extra maxima rubescente L. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 397. Fig. 236. in bigness, shape, thinness and fasciae very well resembles this Shell, which is somewhat narrower, and I meet with none of that redness he speaks of; the most lively have a yellowish cast within. A Valve of 3 inches and ½ long and near 1 ½ broad, weighs but little more than a dram; it's very shallow, viz. about ½ of an inch deep. 12. Musculus albus JAMAICENSIS splendens radiis rubris. Tellina magna albida ex rubro late radiata L. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 393. Fig. 240. The red Beam'd Jamaica Muscle. This elegant Shell Mr Charles Dell sent me once from the Lands-end of Cornwall, after that Major Halstead brought it me from Carolina, and Mrs Rachel Chapman lately from Antegoa. I have a fair little pair, which weighs but 7 grains, and the half of another, viz. one Valve, which weighs 127. This last is near 3 inches and ½ long, 1 and ½ broad, and little more than ½ inch deep: the dead shells are white and shining, the others have red beams, which shoot from the hinge, and are broader at the edges; these are sometimes more conspicuous within than without; the last red, that decays in this Shell, is the Nose of its Hinge. 13. Musculus CAROLIN. angustus. an Tellina alia Brasiliana Bonan. Conchyl. p. 163. Fig. 353. This seems to be very well express in Dr Lister's History under the name of Chama angustior ex altera parte sinuosa L. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 421. Fig. 245, who had it from Barbadoes. I have not yet seen it from thence, but have this to say of ours, viz. I find it of differing sizes, the common or middling is 3 inches long and above one broad, (I always mean where widest) the depth of a single Valve not ½, all of which size weigh more than 3½, some heavier, but none less. Y y y y y y y y y y y y 14. CAROLINA Dish Cockle, Mus. Noft. 383. Hist. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 328. Fig. 165. I have a fair pair of these, near 4 inches between the sides; and 4½ from head to tip, the Shell 3 inches and ½ high, yet weighed not 6 Ounces. A single Valve of a larger I have which weighs 3½, and will contain half a pint of Water; it may conveniently be used for a drinking Cup or Porringer, and tho' a thin light Shell, yet not easily broken. 15. CAROLINA Egg-Cockle. From its shape, smoothness and colour, the largest of these may be somewhat bigger than a Hens Egg, and decline gradually to the smallness of a Nutmeg. They are pretty slick white Shells, and may serve for Dram Cups, &c. Mrs Rachel Chapman brought me this from Antegoa; they are also found on the other Islands, as well as on the Continent, from whence Major Halstead hath obliged me with it. Mus. Noft. 840. L. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 249. Fig. 83. 16. VIRGINIA Fritter Cockle. Mus. noft 842. Dr Lister in his Hist. Conchyl. L. 3. Tab. 288. has given a very exact Figure of this Shell; it's round, flat and fine girdled; the common size is of the following dimensions, viz. from head to the opposite edge 2 inches and ½, and from side to side 2¾. The whole Shell wants of 3½ and ½, and is not an inch high. 17. Pectuncellus BRASILIANUS, albus, undis capillaceis majoribus. Pectunculus parvus albus, profundior tenuiter undatus L. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 301. Fig. 142. an Tellina Brasiliaca lactea Bonan. Hist. Conchyl. 163. Fig. 349. The white Brazil File. I have not yet seen them so large as Bonanni's Figure represent. Dr Lister's Icon, which is very good, is as big as we generally meet them; this is distinguished from the next in being somewhat a thicker and higher Shell, the undulated Strix much larger and very comical. 18. Pectuncellus JAMAICANUS, undis capillaceis tenuissimus. Pectunculus tenuis rubruber, minutissimis fursis striis undatis exaratus L. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 339. Fig. 176. The fine blush Jamaica File. This Shell must be strongly viewed to discover the elegant fineness of its waved striæ, resembling the finest File I ever saw. 19. Tellina parva radiata &c. GAZOPHYL. NATUR. Tab. 18. Fig. 4. The Dominico Tellen. From the plenty of them on the South part of that Island, where Mr James Penman found them, and it was the only Shell that Shoar abounded with. They rarely exceed an inch in length, and half that in breadth, and such a Valve weighs but 3½. The fair ones of these are pretty Shells, and frequently found in Rock-work. 20. Pholas CAMPECHEANUS angustus, muriculatus, car- dine foraminoso nobis. Pholas angustus albus, striis tenui- bus exasperatus L. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 432. Fig. 275. whose Figure represents the right Valve, viz. that, that holding the outer part upwards, has its hinge, as you look on it in that posture, against your Right hand; but what is strange, I have not one Shell on that side the icon represents it, amongst others, and therefore probably the Dr's Figure may be reversed from one of these. The largest Valve I have yet met with is about 4 inches and ½ long, and 1 and ¼ where the broadest, viz. cross the hinge, whose external holes in one of this pro- portion takes up an inch exactly, and they are generally about 12 in most sizes; internally from the midst of this, a thin furrowed lappet extends itself near ½ of an inch from the side of the Shell, by reason of which standing out, it's easily broken, and therefore not always met with. This Valve wanted about 3½ of 2 drams. They are very thin, and no less brittle. 21. Pholas VIRGINIANA. Lit. H. C. l. 3. Tab. 434. fig. 277. This is as thin as the last, tho much larger, viz. One which Mr Parke brought me from Virginia was 5 inches and a half long, and 2 crofs. the hingè broad, yet weighed not quite 3½. This has the internal cardos hanging like the last, but herein it chiefly differs, that its lunular Murices are much larger, and in the place where the outer hinge was perforated, this is supplied by one channel. 22. *Pholas CAROLIN.* e capite tantum muricatus, cardine terè bidente. Nob. an *Pholas albus angustus ad dimidium fere dorsi laevis* List H.C. l. 3. Tab. 431 Fig. 274? Whose name better agrees with this Shell than the magnitude of its figure; this has no lappet, as had the two last, but instead thereof a double-toothed hinge, which lies much nearer the end than either of the foregoing, from which part for near one third, the outer Shell is guarded with 6 or 8 more elevated lines than the rest of the Shell, whose other Striae are thicker set, and very little; by which, and its smallness, it's from the others easily distinguishable, the largest Valve I have yet met with wants of 2 inches in length, and exceeds not anywhere broadest, and weighs but 15 grains. 23. *Pinna CAROLIN.* maxima lata, muricibus plurimis lunulatis Dr Litter has given a very exact Figure both for shape and magnitude of this elegant Shell, T. p. 372. Fig. 213. A Valve of which Major Hallstead brought me from Carolina; it's very large, viz. 9 inches long, and 5 where broadest, yet weighs but 2 ounces and ½, being very thin and brittle, these lunular protuberances hold a sort of circular or fasciated order, and at the same a striated one also, these decay, as most others of this kind do where they approach the tip or hinge; the outer Coat of this is apt to peel off, which under it discovers a dark shining Mother of Pearl, like that within, and only the remains of the exterior pertuberances are to be seen: I have lately received a Mediterranean one from Father Bonanni at Rome, much resembling this, yet in some particulars differing, which I may have occasion suddenly to shew. 24. *Pinna CAROL.* minor praetenuis, tubulis lunulisque majoribus armata. This is lesser and thinner than the last, it's externally piped towards the Mouth, and above these lunulated, they are thinner set, as the Striae are; brought me by the same hand with the last. 25. *Pinna* 25. Pinna CAROL. crassior, sulcata. This is apt to peel as No 23. especially the dead Shells, what its outward coat may be I am yet to learn. Madam Williams, from whom I received this, will I hope by the next send me them entire, and then I shall be the better able to say more of them. Sect. III. The following are single Shells. 26. Patella lingualis CAROL. major laevis. an Patella crassior, maculis exiguis rotis distincta List. H.C. l. 4. S. 1. Tab. 545. fig. 33? The first and largest of this kind was several years since given me by Mrs Danson, who told me she had it from the West Indies, and I believe from her Father Mr John Archdeacon, my very good Friend, who was then Governor of Carolina, and I am the rather inclined to believe it, because Madam Williams has now sent me several of the same, tho less, from that place. I add Lingualis to this sort of Patella (till others give it a better Epithet) to distinguish it from the common sorts, because this has a tongue like interseptimentum almost covering half the inside of the shell, resembling the head of a Canow. 27. Patella lingualis CAROL. compressa. an Patella alba compressa laevis L. H. C. l. 4. S. 1. Tab. 545. Fig. 37? This is a lesser and much flatter Shell than the last, and the Tongue more elevated; I have observed this with some Ballani, sticking to a large Heterotrophon Shell brought me from the Island of Trin in the West Indies. 28. Cochlea CAROL. aurita, taeiis catenatis nigricantibus, undis fuscis interstitiis. an C. fusca, cujus lineas spirales aliquot albicantes intersecant characteres quidam nigri L. H. C. l. 4. S. 5. Tab. 560. Fig. 4. operculo ejus striato? an Rumph. Tab. 19. Fig. 5? The Welsh-pot Shell. The fairest and largest I ever yet saw, my hearty Friend Mr Edm. Bohun brought me from Carolina, it weigh'd above 5 drams, whereas whereas the common size weigh not two; its spots and waves very much resembles the colours on the common Welsh-ware or Pots. 29. Cochlea CAROL. aure magno, fusco. This is distinguisht from all others I have yet met with, by the largeness of its Ear, viz. a protuberance resembling that part, in the Navel of the Shell, which in all live ones shew that part more or less brown, the biggest I have yet met with weigh'd near 3vi; the common size about half the weight. 30. Persicoides CAROL. clavícula, gyrà altè incisa. The Shell most nearly resembling this in all Dr Lister's History is Figur'd in his 4th Book and 13th Section, No 1. were it not that the Clavicula of ours is much flatter and shorter, with a deep indented coil. 31. Buccinum CAROLIN. (an fluviatile) ovale. I found this Shell amongst some Fossils, &c. which my curious Friend Mr Job Lord sent me not long since from Carolina; the same Dr Lister, my worthy Patron, gave me some years since with the proofs of two new Plates to his Appendix ad Histor. Conchyl. in one of which he hath Figured it with this inscription, of his own writing, è Flumine CAROLINIÆ. 32. Buccinum CAROL. ampullaceum, striis castaneis, fasciis muricatis, majus. Dr Lister has given a Figure, Tab. 830. which seems very much to represent this, excepting that his Murices are not so large as ours; perhaps the Shell from whence he took his Figure might have them worn off, yet sometimes in these bigger Shells you may observe them threefold, one distinctly over the other, which casing is also seen on the right lip of the Shell, as the Dr's Figure has very well observed: Whether these be annual protrusions or growths, I dare not yet determine. The largest of this kind I have yet met with, abated but 3½ of a pound. 33. Buccinum CAROL. ampullaceum striis castaneis, fasciis muricatis minus. In one of the Editions of Dr Lister his curious History of Shells, Lib 4. Sect. 13 he has given an Accurate Figure of this smaller sort, under Cap. I. De Buccinis ampullaceis tibi- bus aut certe minus operis, and indeed while these are young they may deserve that character; amongst several Mad. Williams sent me of divers magnitudes, the least was the most beauti- ful Shell, its basis white, the edge of each Coat shaded with brown, having a white girdle cross the middle of the upper orb or round: This weighs but 3ij, and I have traced them to be the same even to the last, which weigh'd near a pound. I observe the largest to be less beautiful, which may proceed from their age and decay. 34. Buccinum ampullaceum strijs Castaneis, fascijs muri- catis majus heterostrophon, ex Insula Griss. This differs from the next no otherwise than No 32 did from the last, viz. in bigness, for that reason I insert it here, tho I have as yet received it from the Island of Triss only, from whence it was brought me by my Kind Friend Mr Fiteild, Surgeon, now living at Rumford in Essex: Dr Lister con- firms me also in my opinion, by giving a Figure of this great sort, Tab. 908. N 28. and says it's the same with the less, viz. the next, this weighs one pound and near 3 qrs. 35. Buccinum CAMPEACHIANUM ampullaceum, strijs Castaneis fascijs muricatis, minus, heterostrophon. Buc- cinum ampull. striatum muricatum item radiatim ex fusco List. H. C. l. 4. S. 13. Fig. opt. 27. Tab. 907. To which he adds this comment, Purpura marina exotica eaq; sola Coch- lea è Mariis est, quantum hæc tenus vidi qua, deatra finis strossum sorquetur. This differs nothing from No 23. but in the rarity of its Mouth's place, this facing the Right hand, whereas All other Shells (a few excepted) incline to the Left. The Reverend Mr Stonestreet first gave me this rare Shell, and now Madam Williams another, it being the only one a- mongst near half a score of the other Mouth'd. Sect. IV. The following are Fossils sent me from thence. 36. *Glossopetra CAROL.* maxima nigrescens ponderosa. This is one of the largest I have yet seen, being above three inches from the tip to the hollow or middle of the Root; this last part is very large and protuberant, the Teeth black, smooth on the edges, but in the middle much furrow'd; the whole very weighty. 37. *Glossopetra CAROLIN.* leviter serrata e nigro rubro-que eleganter variegata. This is almost a straight Tooth, i.e. very little wavering to either side, as most of them more or less do, its edges are rather pounc't than notch'd, from tip to the middle of the Root near an inch and half; its Toothy part is finely variegated with red and black. For these two, with some Fossil Bones, as Vertebrae, &c. and several other Curiosities, I am oblig'd to our ingenious Friend Mr Job Lord, from whom I have receiv'd several Collections; and am suddenly (according to advice) in expectation of more, which the Publick shall have an Account of, with the Reptiles, Lizards, Insects, &c. which Mad. Williams hath also lately sent me: II. The