314 Mighels^ Catalogue of 



Genus Glycymeris. Lam. 



G. siliqua, Chem. Pelagic. This is a rare shell on the 

 coast of Maine, but abundant on the Newfoundland Banks and 

 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 1 am assured by fishermen 

 that it is no uncommon thing to find half a dozen in the 

 stomach of a single cod-fisli, and when recent, as they fre- 

 quently are, they use them for bait. The finest specimens I 

 have seen were taken in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In many 

 of these, the epidermis is very perfect to the beaks, and in 

 some individuals extends nearly an inch beyond the margin. 



Genus Mya. Lin. 



M. arenaria, Lin. This species abounds in Maine in the 

 greatest profusion imaginable, and is found in every nook and 

 corner throughout the whole line of coast, where it can find 

 sand or mud in which to bury itself. Through veracious and 

 intelligent fishermen I have traced it as far north and east as 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Labrador, where it is said to be 

 of dwarfish dimensions. On the authority of Dr. Ray, how- 

 ever, it maintains its maximum size and perfection as far north 

 and east as Passamaquoddy Bay and Bay of Fundy. 



M. fruncata, Lin. Pelagic. Immature specimens of this 

 species are rarely taken from the stomachs of fishes caught in 

 Casco Bay. Its more congenial habitation is further north 

 and east, where fine specimens are occasionally taken from 

 the stomachs of cod-fishes, caught in very deep water. 



Genus Pandora. Brug. 



P. trilineata, Say. Pelagic. I have occasionally taken this 

 shell by dredging in Portland harbor, where the bottom is cov- 

 ered with a great depth of soft mud. Capt. Walden has 

 dredged it in Penobscot Bay, in ten to fifteen fathoms of wa- 

 ter. It occurs, fossil, at Westbrook, in the post-tertiary for- 

 mation, in company with Nucula portlandica, &c. 



