THE FRESH- \VATER CLAM AND ITS ALLIES 183 



merce for New England was estimated to be worth nearly 

 half a million dollars. 



FIG. Iti8. Mactra solMisshna, the Eastern hen clam. Nat. size. From 



Gould-Binney. 



The Veneridae l include the hard-shelled clam or u fjiio- 

 hog " of the Indians. Venus mercenaria is the commonest 

 species, and is most abundant south of Cape Cod. It owes 



FIG. 1G9. My a arenaria, the New England " clam." At the left the foot is 

 seen ; at the right, the siphon. One-half nat. size. From Yerrill. " Inverte- 

 brates of Vineyard Sound." 



1 Venus, the goddess of love. 



