50 Marine Shells of the Western Coast of Florida 



performed effectively, for the valves may be separated to an extreme 

 degree and approximated with sufficient force to propel the creature 

 rapidly through the water with a motion which suggests the wing- 

 beat and flight of birds. Perry has seen a swimming Lifna injlata 

 caught by the expanded tentacles of a sea anemone and immediately 

 ingested. 



Some species of Lhna construct funnel-shaped nests from frag- 

 ments of shell, bits of debris and seaweed, and if removed therefrom 

 the owner is said to return to his home. 



The family is represented in all seas and has a considerable 

 range in depth. 



Genus LDIA Bruguiere, 1797 



Subgenus LDIARIA Link, 1807 



linia^" inflata (Ginelin) PI. 6, fig. 31 



Alt., 25; length, 16; diam., 8 mm. Shell obliquely oval, inflated, 

 pure white and fragile; translucent valves in contact only at ventral 

 border, with a thin, brownish periostracum; equivalve; inequilateral; 

 auriculate; anterior margin straight; posterior and ventral margins 

 rounded; hinge margin oblique; umbos prominent, central, small and 

 sharp. Sculpture consists of delicate, unequal ribs and obscure, con- 

 centric growth lines; ribs are scarcely elevated in umbonal region 

 and toward the margins they bear small toothlike imbrications which 

 render the name Lima appropriate. Hinge partly external, a portion 

 of the ligamental area is visible below the umbos; no hinge teeth; 

 interior of valves polished, single muscle scar, subcentral and near 

 posterior margin; simple pallial line; margins finely serrate. The mol- 

 lusks secrete delicate byssal threads. 



Family ANOMIIDAE 



The Anomiidae are native to warm and temperate seas all over 

 the world and to depths beyond the littoral zone to about 20 fathoms. 



In the adult stage the mollusk is fixed; the young Anomia has 

 a bivalve shell and is a free-swimming creature until a byssus is 

 secreted and sedentary life begun. At an early stage in the develop- 



■**' Lat., lima, a file; inflatus, from inflarr, to inflate. 



