Kellia bullata Philippi 1845

“Kellia magellanica, sp. n. (Plate V. figs. 6-6b.)

Shell equivalve, subequilateral, white, covered with a yellowish-olive epidermis, for the most part worn off, of an ovate form, a trifle narrowing anteriorly, the outline being interrupted by the prominence of the umbones, rather ventricose. Sculpture consisting of rather coarse concentric lines of growth. Umbones rather acute and prominent, somewhat curved anteriorly. Interior of valves of a bluish white, except at the margin, where the epidermis is narrowly relaxed within. Hinge composed of two stout teeth in the right valve – one immediately beneath the umbo, and the second rather widely separated from it by the intervening cartilage. Also two teeth beneath the apex in the left valve, and a third corresponding to the second tooth in the other valve, also parted off from the others by the internal ligament. Scars and pallial line indistinct; the latter appears quite simple. Width 8 ½ millims., length 7 ½ , thickness 5.

Hab. – Station 6.

This species is very much like the British K. suborbicularis, yet on close investigation appears distinct. It is more solid, has a stouter epidermis, stronger teeth, and the form is not quite the same. K. bullata, Philippi, also a Magellan species, must be very nearly allied to the present, yet the form, as described in the ‘Archiv für Naturgeschichte,’ appears to differ. K. magellanica is almost equilateral, whilst K. bullata is said to be “vorn weit länger als hinten.” ”

(Smith, 1881)