138 Edible Mollusks. [ ZOE 
gleam of sunshine through a London fog.’’— R. E. C. Stearns, in 
Nautilus for July. 
This fully establishes the reputation of my friend Stearns as a 
man of great taste, as well as a poet. I can confirm all he says in 
regard to the edible qualities of this noble clam. 
MYA ARENARIA L. ‘“ Soft-Shell Clam.’’— From Puget Sound to 
Santa Cruz, California. The spawn of this well-known shell-fish was 
introduced into San Francisco Bay with the young Eastern oysters, 
but, unlike the oysters, it took kindly to its new home, and now 
has full possession of almost every foot of the mud-flats along the 
bay. I was the first one to detect its presence in the bay, and 
young specimens were named Mya Hemphilli Newcomb. 
Mya TRuNcATA L.—Puget Sound. Occasionally offered in the 
markets, with other clams, at Port Townsend, Washington. 
PLATYODON CANCELLATUS Conr.—Bolinas to San Diego. Abund- 
ant between tides, burrowing in hard clay and soft sandstone rock. 
Said to be excellent eating. 
PANOPZA GENEROSA Gld.— Widely distributed, from Puget 
Sound to Lower California; three feet deep on the mud-flats at 
extreme low tide. If Schizothzerus beats all other clams for chow- 
der, soup and pies, this queen of all edible clams beats all 
others, not excepting the choicest Eastern oysters, for delicious 
flavor and fries. Some years ago, while collecting shell on Puget — 
Sound, I found the boys at Olympia collecting this clam for the 
Portland restaurants, where it was justly esteemed for its delicious — 
flavor and tenderness. From the Indians near by, whom I found 
drying and smoking clams for future use, I learned that they called 
them Geoducks, and valued them highly—probably more for the 
quantity of food they furnished than for their flavor or tenderness. 
I called the attention of the late Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian 
Institute and Fish Commission, to the edible quality of this mol- 
lusk, and he determined to introduce it on the Eastern Coast. Mr. 
Stearns was entrusted with collecting and carrying out the experi- 
ment, but I have not learned what success attended his efforts. 
SILIQUA PATULA Dixon. “Razor Shell.”— Astoria, Oregon, 
to Santa Cruz, Cal. Found on sandy beaches at low tide, and sold 
in the markets of Astoria and Portland; Oregon. Equal, in every 
