MOLLUSCA 



149 



necked clam, is preferred by New Englanders for clam bakes and 

 chowders. It has extremely long siphons. The quahog ( Venus 

 mercenaria), or hard-shell clam, is found along the entire Atlantic 

 coast. Used little at the coast, it is preferred inland as it can be 

 shipped long distances and kept alive for a considerable time. Blue- 

 lined ones were used as money " wampum " by the American 

 Indians (Figure 65, A and B). The giani clam {Tridacna gigas) is 



Fig. 65. y/, soft shell clam, M\a. B, razor shell clam, Ensis. 



Courtesy of The Century Co.) 



(From Arnold. 



found in tropical waters where it sometimes proves a menace to 

 divers. Its shell may weigh five hundred pounds and reach a 

 length of four feet. A single valve may be found in use as a church 

 font. The razor-shell clam {Solen maximus) is eaten by the poorer 

 people of the British Isles, but not known in fashionable restaurants. 

 The giant " geoduck " clam of the Pacific coast {Glycimeris generosa) 

 reaches a weight of six pounds and has a siphon sometimes extended 

 twenty-four inches. The West Coast ''little neck" clam {Tapes 

 staminea) is an important food. The cockle {Cardium edule) is 

 eaten considerably in Europe. It is easily digested. 



The scallop (Pecten irradians) found off-shore on the Atlantic 

 coast does not reach a diameter greater than three inches. Its 

 single adductor muscle is used for food. The giant scallop {Pecten 

 maxijnus) is found in deeper water and reaches a diameter of seven 

 inches. Both the scallops are extremely rich in iodine and should 

 be utilized more inland since they keep on ice in a much better 

 condition than do oysters. The crusaders brought with them from 

 the Holy Land a Mediterranean scallop {Pecten jacoboeus) which 

 they wore as a badge, indicating their foreign service. 



