25 

 SOLEN. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Shell equivalve, extremely inequilateral, much 

 elongated, gaping at both ends ; beaks not prominent ; 

 ligament external. Muscular impressions twO;, re- 

 mote, the anterior one much elongated. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



The species of this genus, commonly known by the 

 name of i-azoi' shells, are distinguished by their long 

 and narrow shape, and the beaks being nearly or 

 quite terminal, and not elevated above the dorsal line. 

 They reside in the sand of the sea shores, forming 

 vertical and cylindrical pits, which are often nearly 

 two feet deep, and are just wide enough to enable 

 the animals to traverse them with facility. They 

 are situated in shoals or sand bars, and the flat shores 

 of bays and rivers, where the flood tide may cover 

 them, at which period, the shells may be seen in the 

 water with the extremity elevated above the orifice 

 of their cells. In the Mediterranean, they are ta- 

 ken, when exposed in this manner, by persons who 

 swim above them, and suddenly sieze them with their 

 hands. The animal there, in common with that of 

 many other bivalves, is an article of diet. Pennant 

 observes, that in England several kinds are taken by 

 means of a barbed spear suddenly thrust into their 

 shells, and are brought up to the table fried in eggs. 

 The Solens are also taken in the same manner on the 

 coast of France; and it is probable, from their general 



