the Shells of Maine. 321 



clams, which were dug up somewhere in the vicinity of this 

 city. It differs in no respect from Massachusetts specimens. 



V. fluctuosa, Govi\d. Pelagic. I have had the good for- 

 tune to obtain three or four specimens of this species, which 

 were obtained in the Gulf of St. Lawrence by a fisherman, 

 from stomachs of cod-fishes. It has not been found in 

 Maine. 



V. gemma, Tott. Littoral, and plentiful in muddy bays, 

 all along the coast. 



Besides these species, Capt. Walden has recently given me 

 a specimen of a Venus which he obtained at Nashe's Island, 

 which much resembles Cytherea dione, Lam., without the 

 spines. Whether this is truly an inhabitant of the waters of 

 Maine or was imported in some way, is a question not easily 

 settled. Capt. Walden, however, is very certain that it in- 

 habits that locality. 



Genus Cardium. Lin. 



C. islandicum, Lin. Pelagic. Immature specimens are 

 found, plentifully, in fishes' stomachs taken in Casco Bay. In 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the coast of Labrador, fine, 

 large specimens are occasionally taken from the stomachs of a 

 species of fish called by the fishermen, sond-dah, which, from 

 their description, I suppose to be some species of Platessa, of 

 Cuvier. 



C grcenlandicum, Chemn. (Aphrodite Columba, Lea.^ 

 Pelagic. Found rarely, in fishes' stomachs, in the Gulf of St. 

 Lawrence and on the Grand Banks ; I do not know that it has 

 been found in Maine. 



I have deemed it best, under present circumstances, to place 

 this shell under Cardium, — nevertheless, I am much inclined 

 to the opinion of Mr. Lea, respecting its generic characters, 

 and have very little doubt that it will eventually be restored 

 to the place to which he assigned it, with universal consent. 



C. pinnulatum, Con. Pelagic. This is found plentifully, 

 in Casco Bay. It seems to be the favorite food of the had- 

 dock, as it is rare to find that fish without more or less of 



