190 



MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN 



VOL. XIV, 



Fig. 53. Circe gihba, Lamarck. XL 



frequently a minute brownish speckling can be made out, either 

 alone or associated with a more conspicuous and extensive zoning 

 in a livid tint; in others this speckling resolves itself into a more 

 distinct pattern of chevron-shaped chestnut markings, which may 

 coalesce either into short rays or into concentric zones, never 

 spreading far beyond the umbo. In one variety, the colouring is a 

 uniform chestnut. 



Circe is another genus of the Veneridas of considerable economic 



value in the Madras Presi- 

 dency, for the little COCKLE- 

 CLAM {Circe gibba) known as 

 varimatti in Tamil, is particu- 

 larly plentiful in Palk Bay and 

 the Gulf of Mannar where, 

 especially in the former area, 

 its collection is important to 

 the Kadayans, Valaiyans and 

 allied coast castes. It is a 

 strongly ribbed white shell 

 with a superficial resemblance to the European cockle {Cardium 

 cdule)—the ridges running radially from the umbo to the margin — 

 and of about the same average size. Its dimensions average when 

 fully grown 45 mm. x 37 mm. with a thickness of about 33 mm. 

 It spawns about the beginning of September at Tuticorin. It 

 frequents muddy sands near low-tide level along the open coast. 

 The flavour is good and the flesh tender. 



Collection takes place at low water during spring tides, when 

 the poorer women of the coast villages devote themselves to this 

 work for two or three hours daily. In this time each can gather 

 between 300 and 400 shells. 



The muddy flats between Pamban and Kundagal Point are rich 

 collecting grounds and many women may be often seen there 

 engaged in the search at spring tide. Very frequently a couple of 

 shells are kept in one hand and rubbed or struck against one 

 another to produce a clicking sound. When questioned the women 

 say that this has the effect of attracting the clams to the surface ; 

 they watch for a slight movement wherever they see clam burrows 

 and scoop up the sand where this occurs, generally getting one or 

 two clams. I am inclined to think that in reality the clicking sound 

 has an opposite effect to that believed by the clammers ; it really 



