No. 6 (I921) COMMON MOLLUSCS OF SOUTH INDIA 185 



Suitable conditions prevail over more extensive areas on the West 

 Coast, and it is there, par excellence, that these clams attain their 

 greatest importance. 



Meretrix ovum. — The valves of this species are smooth, grey in 

 general tint and either with or without two imperfect brown rays; 

 in shape the shell varies from a swollen cordate form to one com- 

 pressed and almost almond shaped. It lives in great abundance 

 in West Coast backwaters, with a size average from 35 to 40 mm. 

 in length by 25 to 28 mm. in depth; when overfished as in the 

 Beypore river, the average size becomes considerably reduced, as 

 few individuals have an opportunity to reach maturity. Two dark 

 rays, faint and easily overlooked, are very characteristic of the 

 species; only occasionally can these rays be traced back to the 

 umbo; they are usually best marked towards the ventral margin 

 where they usually terminate in two small reddish brown colour 

 patches oi) the extreme edge. The periostracum is well developed 

 and persistent ; it varies from a distinct pale cream to a rufous 

 yellow or even brown, the darker tints being largely of stain 

 origin. 



This clam is probably the most important food mollusc of the 

 Presidency. Its flesh is of good flavour, tender and nutritious. 

 To the poorer classes of shore dwellers, wherever it is obtainable in 

 quantity, it often takes the place of fish in their curries when this 

 is dear or scarce and is esteemed both for its cheapness and tasti- 

 ness. On the Malabar Coast these clams are largely collected by 

 low caste people who hawk canoe-loads along the backwaters and 

 canals. The usual retail rate varies from one to two pies per seer, 

 indeed a pie's worth is considered in Malabar sufficient to make a 

 curry for a whole household. The Malabar clam fishers usually 

 use very small dug-out canoes, which are anchored when the fish- 

 ing ground is reached. Men, women and lads all engage in the 

 fishing ; the feet are used to locate and dislodge the clams when 

 these occur in shallow water. In deep channels diving has to be 

 resorted to. 



One of the commonest sights in Malabar is the heaps of dis- 

 carded shells forming miniature kitchen middens in the neigh- 

 bourhood of many huts ; these are sold eventually to lime-burners, 

 as the shell of this clam being exceptionally massive, is valued 

 as a source of high-class lime, particularly suitable for white- 

 washing purposes. 



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