THE ECONOMIC MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 



87 



i,he fact that the summits are angular, will distinguish the young of 

 this species from Cardium pinnulatum which has flattened ribs bearing 

 scales, and no such epidermis. It is in our waters from two to two and 

 •one-half inches long and nearly as broad. 



Of its habits, very little is known. It lives partly buried in mud 

 •or fine sand under a few fathoms of water. It nmsl feed altogether 



Fig. 14. — Cardium Mandicum. Natural Size. 



^lpon microscopic organisms, plants and perhaps animals. It would 

 probably have to be taken in a dredge of large mesh— so constructed as 

 to allow the mud and gravel, etc., to pass through. It could probably 

 ■be cultivated in our waters. 



Economics. This species is never, so far as we have been 

 .able to learn, been eaten in America. It is inserted in this 

 paper on account of its close relationship to the edible 

 'Cockle {Cardium edule) of Etirope ; without doubt it is edible, 

 and is probably as good food as the European form, which it 

 Tesembles closely in nearly all respects. The chief distinguish- 

 ing mark between the two to the non-scientific observer is 

 the smaller number of ribs, twenty-six, in Cardium edule, 

 ■C. Islandicum having thirty-six. 



The European Cockle lives on sand beaches and the banks 

 ■of estuaries. We are told in the Fisheries Exhibition Litera- 

 ture that "It is equally good, raw or cooked, and may be 



