134 veneridj:. 



nearly smooth. There are also minute lines, radiating from the 

 beaks to the margin, most conspicnous on the beaks, where they 

 form a lattice-work with the concentric lines ; color a dirty white, 

 except the smooth portion of the disk, which is dark violet ; within 

 pure Avhite ; muscular impressions deep, united by a well-marked 

 ])allial impression, which has an acute angled, not very deep sinus ; 

 the margin outside the impressions is more or less of a beautiful 

 deep violet hue ; basal and anterior margin crenulated. Length, 

 three inches ; height, two and a half inches ; breadth, two inches. 



Brought from Wellflcet and other towns on Cape Cod in consider- 

 able quantities to Boston market. It is found more abundantly at the 

 Houth, and in New York and Philadeljjhia markets supersedes the 

 use of the Mya arenaria almost entirely, Avhile it may be found in 

 greater or less abundance in all the region of Cape Cod, and scantily 

 in all parts of Massachusetts Bay. Coast of Maine, far to the east- 

 ward of Portland (Mighcls') ; Halifax, &!able Island, Prince Edward's 

 Island, Fishing Banks (Willis^ ; Gulf of St, Lawrence {Log-an). 



The shell is easily known by its size and weight, and by its heart- 

 shaped form when resting upon its point. It is about the same size 

 as Cyprhia Is/andlca, from which it is distinguished by the sharp 

 ridges on its surface, and by the want of an epidermis ; also by the 

 violet-colored border of the interior of the valves. This mark, how- 

 ever, is not constant. In young shells it is wanting, and also in 

 very old shells the color is often obscured by a thick white glazing. 

 Fishermen say that those found outside Cape Cod, in the region of 

 Chatham, are always devoid of it. The shell has become quite fa- 

 mous from the fact that, from its ])urplc edge, the aborigines manu- 

 factured their jiurple waminnn ; while the white wampum w^as made 

 of various species of shells, Init chiefly from the axis of Pijrula. 



It is known in Massachusetts under the name of Qiia/iog* It is 

 the clam of New York and Philadelphia. The upper outline of the 

 figure (in the first edition) represents this shell. 



* The following items relative to the derivation of this word, and the connection of this 

 shell with aboriginal history, may be appropriately presented ; — 



" A piece of Poquahanges, a rare shell, and a dainty food with the Indians. The flesh 

 eats like veal ; the English make pyes thereof; and of the shells the Indians make money. 



" Yonng Poqnahauges, Pectunrnlus fasciatus. 



" It is called Wampamjieege." — Governov Wlnthrop's Curiosities from New Ev<jiand, 

 Journal .of the Roijal Socikty, June 27, 1634. 



" Called by some English hens-jmjna/iock ; three are cqnal to a penny ; a fathom is 

 worth five shillings." — Ro(jer Williams. 



" The quahaug ( Venus mcrcenaria), called by Roger Williams the poquau and the hcii, is 



