A. E. Verritt — The Bermuda Islands. 709 



It is probable, therefore, that this was a species formerly common, 

 but exterminated by the settlers for food. Probably it was rare even 

 in 1812, otherwise there would have been more shells in the kitchen 

 middens. The last of the race may have been exterminated by the 

 soldiers in 1812, or perhaps by some natural cause, about that time. 



The Great Conch or Pink Conch. [Strombus glgas.) 



The large pink conch has, in recent times, been so extensively 

 fished for sale to visitors that its numbers have very much decreased, 

 though some are still taken in a few places. One of its localities is 

 in Castle Harbor, about half a mile north of Castle Island ; another 

 is in Great Harbor. 



The Trumpet Shell. {Triton variegatus.) 



This large shell has also become rare in these waters, only a few 

 scattering specimens being now found. 



The Spotted Cowrie. (Cyprcea exanthema.) 



This handsome shell has also become very rare, like several others 

 that are caught for sale as curiosities. Some of the specimens for- 

 merly taken were of great size and very handsomely colored. I 

 have seen some that were 44 inches or more in length. 



g. — Bivalves: Scallops; Oysters, etc. 



The Scallop*. (Pecten ziczac Lam.) 



This large scallop is still found in small numbers in certain parts 

 of Harrington Sound and in a few other localities, but is said to be 

 much less abundant than formerly. Its flesh (adductor muscle) is 

 well flavored and it is, therefore, much in demand. 



The Oyster y Pearl Oyster. {Margaritophora radiata Lam.) 



The so-called oyster of Bermuda is not a real oyster, but is a true 

 pearl oyster, smaller in size than most of the pearl oysters of the 

 Pacific and Indian oceans. It is, however, used to a considerable 

 extent as food, but is neither so tender nor so palatable as the Ameri- 

 can oyster, nor does it contain so much nutritive material. It is 

 still fairly abundant in certain parts of Harrington Sound and many 

 other places, but is said to be less abundant and smaller than for- 

 merly, owing to overfishing. 



In the early days of Bermuda, the settlers and the Company had 

 great hopes of finding valuable pearls in these shells, but though 



