416 American Seashelh 



Genus Macrocallista Meek 1876 

 Macrocallista nimbosa Solander Sunray Venus 



Plate 39b 



North Carolina to Florida and the Gulf States. 



4 to 5 inches in length, elongate, compressed, glossy-smooth with a thin 

 varnish-like periostracum. Exterior dull salmon to dull mauve with broken, 

 radial bands of darker color. Interior dull white with a blush of reddish over 

 the central area. Moderately common in shallow, sandy areas and not un- 

 commonly washed ashore after storms. 



Macrocallista maculata Linne Calico Clam 



Plates lb; 396 



North Carolina to south half of Florida and the West Indies. 



I /4 to 2 34 inches in length, ovate, glossy-smooth with a thin varnish-like 

 periostracum. Exterior cream with checkerboard markings of brownish red. 

 Rarely albino or all dark-brown. Moderately common in shallow, sandy areas 

 in certain localities. A popular collector's item. Also known as the Checker- 

 board or Spotted Clam. 



Genus Callocardia A. Adams 1864 

 Subgenus Agriopoma Dall 1902 



Callocardia texasiana Dall Texas Venus 



Plate 32k; figure aSe 



Northwest Florida to Texas. 



1/4 to 3 inches in length, % as high. Externally resembling Fitar mor- 

 rhuana, but much more elongate, having the beaks rolled in under themselves, 

 and with a more elongate, faint lunule. The posterior cardinal is S-shaped 

 in the right valve. Uncommon, if not rare. Found on the beaches, but its 

 biology and habits are unknown. 



Genus Amiantis Carpenter 1863 

 Amiantis callosa Conrad Pacific White Venus 



Santa Monica, California, to south Mexico. 



3 to 4% inches in length, longer than high, beaks pointing anteriorly, 

 shell hard, heavy, glossy and with neat concentric ribs. Lunule small, heart- 

 shaped and pressed in slightly under the beaks. Anterior end round. Color 

 solid ivory. A very attractive, fairly common species living just below tide 

 line on sandy bottoms in the open surf. Commonly washed ashore alive after 



