34 POPULAR BRITISH CONCHOLOGY. 



broad tube. At the end of the cover is a fringe, beyond 

 which projects the unequally-divided tube. The opening 

 for reception is wide and fringed, while that for rejection is 

 small and smooth. As in the preceding families, the mantle 

 opens in front to admit the passage of the foot, which, in 

 this case, is long and tapering, and admirably adapted for 

 the work of cutting and making way through the mud. 

 The hiding-places occupied by these creatures are indicated 

 far above them on the surface of the sand or mud by the 

 holes which lead down to their retreat. The valves are 

 broad, rather flat in the middle, inflated anteriorly, and, as 

 it were, cut square at the posterior end, where it joins the 

 tube. The ligament is contained in a wide spoon-shaped 

 projection of the hinge-margin. 



The species is found in deep sea, and at a distance from 

 the shore, as well as in parts of the beach only covered by 

 the high tides. It occurs at various localities on the Bri- 

 tish, Irish, and Scotch coasts. It is said to be a favourite 

 food of cod-fish at Newfoundland, and is boiled and eaten 

 for food by the inhabitants of Zetland, under the name of 

 " Smurslin.'' 



Mi/a arenaria differs from M. truncata chiefly in the 

 more oval form of the shell, which is rather pointed than 



