PLATE CXXIV. 



The Common Cockle is abundant on all sandy shores : they lurk 

 in the sand, and their hiding-place is known by a little round depressed 

 spot upon the surface. Cockles are in season from autumn till spring: 

 they are a wholesome and palatable food; and thofe from Selfea, 

 near Chichester, are esteemed the most delicious in England. 



These Shells vary a little both in shape and colour : the two fpe- 

 cimens figured on the annexed Plate differ, one being more orbicular 

 than the other. They are generally whitish, sometimes they have a 

 blueish, and sometimes a yellowish tint. 





FIG. II. 

 CARDIUM RUSTICUM? 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Shell antiquated, with about twenty remote grooves : the interftices 



rugged. 



Caroium rusticum : testa antiquata : sulcis viginti remotis ; in- 

 terstitiis rugosis. Gmelin, T. 1. p. 6. p. 3252. 

 sp. 23 ? 



Notwithstanding the endless variations to which the shells of the 

 common Cockle are liable, this appears too remote to be admitted as 

 one of them. It passes for Cardium rusticum with some concholo* 

 gifts, and though it may not strictly agree with that specific descrip- 

 tion of Gmelin, it approaches nearer to it than to edule. That author 



