154 



Shell Life 



epidermis has been worn off the shell shows a dirty- 

 white coloration. The growth lines form the 

 principal surface ornamentation, though there are 

 liner lines between, but these are quite obscure. In 

 addition to the cardinal teeth already described, there 

 are in this species two laterals in the left valve and 

 one in the right, though only the foremost of those 

 in the left is at all distinct. Full-grown specimens 

 measure 5 inches the longest way by 3 inches at 

 right angles. Tlie animal is white ; the mantle edges 



Common Otter-shell 



closed for two-tliirds of their extent, and fringed 

 with white. The siphons, connected throughout 

 their length, are included in a common sheath, which 

 is 12 or 15 inches in length, covered by an extension 

 of the shell epidermis. The large thick foot is 

 capable of considerable extension. It may be found 

 all round our islands from just below low- water 

 mark to a depth of 15 fathoms; it has a fondness for 

 the more muddy ground of estuaries. There is a 

 variety (intermedia) which is so well named that it 



