Edible MoHiisca of the Orri^oii Coast 187 



wliether due ti) demands of local consumption <ir other causes 

 has not hecn ascertained. The clam has never l)een widely 

 marketed from Netarts Bay owing to the lack of transportation 

 facilities from that locality to inland points, but it is a popular 

 species for local use. 



Saxidomus giganteus has also been taken in small numbers 

 from the gravel of the north shore of Yaquina liay. As a result 

 of recent dredging operations in that bay there is. however, 

 scarcely a possibility that the species may have escaped extermina- 

 tion. The species also occurs at Sunset Bay and no doubt may be 

 found along the open beaches in other localities. It is character- 

 istic of the ocean beaches or the sand and gravel beds of bays 

 with very direct circulation from the ocean. 



6. Cardium corbis Martyn. 



This species is a common form in the larger bays and on 

 the tide flats of some of the rivers of Oregon. It may be con- 

 sidered an abundant species in Tillamook Bay where it furnishes 

 a source of supply for the cannery in Tillamook City which oper- 

 ates intermittently during the year. The species is also abundant 

 on the mud flats of Yaquina River between the towns of Yaquina 

 and Newport, especially on the south side of the channel. It also 

 occurs in Xetarts Bay. Coos Bay and other localities along the 

 coast being commonly associated with Schizothaerus nuttalli and 

 Paphya staminea (Figures I. II, IN). 



7. Macoma nasuta Conrad. 



The "bent nose clam" not only does not find its way into 

 the markets of the northwest but is usually neglected by those 

 who have access to the beaches and frequently indulge in sea 

 foods of the molluscan variety. The species, however, is a famil- 

 iar one along the Oregon coast. L'ntil recently it was very 

 abundant in the gravel beds of the north shore of Yaquina Bay 

 (Figure II). In this locality, where it is known as the "oyster 

 clam," it is considered of excellent quality by the few who make 

 use of it as food. Dredging operations in Yaquina Bay, as men- 

 tioned above, have here quite depleted the species along with 



[II] 



