VENUS, in zoology, a genus of insects belonging to the order of vermes testacea. This animal is a tethys: the shell is bivalve; the hinge with three teeth near each other, one placed longitudinally and bent inwards. There are a great many species; of which the most remarkable is the meretricia, or commercial, with a strong, thick, weighty shell, covered with a brown epidermis; pure white within; slightly striated transversely. Circumference above 11 inches.—These are called in North America clams; they differ from other species only in having a purple tinge within. Wampum, or Indian money, is made of them.