the Shells of Maine. 313 



similar, from Senegal, through Mons. Largilliert, of Rouen, 

 France. 



Genus Machera. Gould. 



M. iiitida, Gould. Pelagic, — taken rarely by fishermen, 

 on the banks of Newfoundland, from the stomachs of cod- 

 fishes. (JSIorrhua Americana, Storer.) I have never yet found 

 it in the waters of Maine. 



M. cosiata, Say, Gould. 1 have never known of this spe- 

 cies being found above low-water mark, but whether it should 

 be regarded as properly pelagic or not, I am unable to say. 

 Dr. Gould thinks it inhabits the sand in shallow water ; this 

 is probably true, as I frequently find it thrown upon our sandy 

 beaches by moderate seas. I am not aware that it ever 

 inhabits muddy bottoms. 



Genus Solemya. Lam. 



iS'. velum, Say. Pelagic. This species is occasionally found 

 on the shores of Maine, after heavy easterly storms. 



iS*. horealis, Totten. Pelagic. Single valves and fragments 

 of this fine species are sometimes found on Saco beach, after 

 violent storms. The only perfect specimen in my collection, 

 I took from the stomach of a cod-fish, which was taken in 

 deep water in Casco Bay, several miles from land. 



Genus Panopjea. Menard. 



P. arctica, Lam. Pelagic. The question is yet to be set- 

 tled whether this interesting shell is to be regarded as pro- 

 perly belonging to the State of Maine, as I am not aware that 

 it has ever been found this side the Gulf of St. Lawrence. J 

 have never obtained but four or five specimens of it, all of 

 which were taken from the stomachs of cod-fishes caught on 

 the coast of Labrador. The young shell is very thin and fra- 

 gile, and is covered with a thin, semi-transparent epidermis, 

 of a dirty white color, which extends considerably beyond the 



margin of the shell. 



37 



