160 ANIMALS OF THE SEASHOEE 



water from Labrador to Florida and the shell is 

 frequently found on the beach; occasionally used 

 as food. 



Ensis viridis Say (Green Razor Clam) 



Shell smaller and straighter than the above with 

 a single tooth in each valve; light green in color. 

 Rhode Island to Florida, very rare. 



Siliqua costata Say 



PLATE XIV. Fig. 12 



A very thin elliptical shell, up to 2 inches long; 

 characterized by a rib extending across the inside 

 of the shell; greenish epidermis. Lives in shallow 

 water from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras; rare in 

 New Jersey and only occasionally seen on the beach 

 after a storm. 



Mactra solidissima Dillwyn (Surf Clam; Sea Clam) 



PLATE XIV. Fig. 7, 8 



One of the commonest shells on the New Jersey 

 beaches. Shell large, up to 7 inches in length, and 

 covered with a yjale brown epidermis which is usu- 

 ally worn off before the shell is washed up on the 

 beach. A triangular shaped cartilage plate at the 

 hinge is characteristic of the family. 



Often found living on sandy beaches at low 

 water mark; also dredged in considerable numbers 



