— 50 — 



through or past the clam. It was then turned part way about so as to 

 eatch the shell on the barb and the unlucky clam drawn up from its 

 burrow. 



Distribution — Tagelus is a southern form ranging from Santa 

 Barbara south. It was obtained at Santa Barbara (C. L. H.), Playa 

 del Rey, Anaheim Slough, Newport Bay, False Bay and San Diego Bay. 



Solen sicarius Gould 

 Plate 15, figure 2 



Other name — Tacklaiife clam. 



Description — -^^oloi sicanus is similar to Tagelus in general 

 appearance but differs strikingly in the position of the umbos, which 

 are located at the extreme anterior end, an arrangement so characteris- 

 tic as to identify this genus at once. It is not as large as Tagelus and 

 the valves are slightly l)ent instead of being straight. The periostracum 

 is glossy and gives to the shell a yellow color. The siphons are united 

 and of moderate length. 



Habitat and habits — >^f)len siearius is a species of sheltered bays, 

 wlu-rc it is said to form ])urrows somewhat similar to Tagelus. 



Use and distribution — This species was nowhere found in abund- 

 ance and though edible can not be considered as of economic import- 

 ance. It and the preceding species are sometimes confused with the 

 ti-ue razor clam; when razor clams are reported from sheltered bays 

 which they never inhabit it is safe to assume that Solcn, or Tagelus 

 were the forms dug. Its range includes all of C'alifornia and extends 

 north into British Columliia. 



Solen rosaceus Carpenter 

 Plate 15, figure 3 



Description — This species is somewhat smaller than 8. sicarius, 

 reaching two to two and one-half inches and differs from it in having 

 a straight shell slightly tinged with pink. 



Habitat and habits — This form is found in the rand of enclosed 

 l)ays. It is interesting as being capable of a kind of "swimming" 

 though habitually found in burrows. 



Use — -It is of no economic importance and is treated merely 

 because it is likely to be confused with related forms. 



Distribution — Solen rosaceus is said to range from Santa Barbara 

 south l)ut was encountered only at San Diego. 



RAZOR CLAMS 



Siliqua Iticida Conrad 

 Siliqua patula Dixon 

 Plate 15, figure 4 

 Other names — Razor shell ; sea clam. 



It is at present canned in Alaska and Washington and sold under 

 the name sea clam though this term was not lieard on the California 

 coast. 



