RAZOR SHELLS. 287 
long, the anterior much lengthened. The pallial 
impression is sinuated., 
Several species are common upon our sandy 
shores, and as their flesh is highly esteemed, they 
are taken in considerable quantities. When pro- 
perly cooked, as by broiling, which is said to be 
the most effective method, they are among the 
most delicious of shell-fish. 
The largest native species is Solen siliqua, which 
is occasionally found eight inches in breadth, and 
one in length. It may seem preposterous thus to 
use the terms breadth and length, but the structure 
of the shell as compared with other genera com- 
pels such an application. The valves are nearly 
straight, smooth, whitish, with purplish concentric 
bands, covered with a yellowish epidermis. The 
animal is large, and of a yellowish white hue. 
“This shell is common on most of our sandy 
shores, found buried to the depth of a foot or more, 
near low-water mark; it frequently elevates one 
end a little above the surface, and protrudes its 
body in search of food: upon being disturbed, it 
suddenly recedes. This place is known by a 
small depression on the surface. In many places 
it is sought after for food by the common people.”* 
‘¢'The mode in which a dish full of these esculents 
is rapidly collected by children, might successfully 
be imitated by conchologists, for other than culi- 
nary purposes; a long narrow wire, bent and 
sharpened at one end, is suddenly thrust into the 
hollows of the sands, indicative of the presence of 
these animals, and passing between the valves, 
the barbed portion fixes itself on retraction in the 
animal, and forces it to the surface.” T 
* Montagu, Test. Brit. 47. + Forbes and Hanley, i. 248. 
