ANATINA. 853 



Shells of this division are said to abound in that part of 

 the Congo territory through which the Zaire flows into the 

 Southern Atlantic^ and are eagerly sought for by the natives, 

 who assemble for this purpose, with their canoes, in com- 

 panies of three or four hundred. Considerable numbers 

 are also taken by the women in scoop-nets, made with 

 the fibres of creeping plants, or from herbaceous cotton, 

 which is common to the Congo. In some parts of the river 

 they are caught in baskets placed along the water^s edge ; 

 in others by means of poisonous plants. 



The tall trees that clothe the banks of the rapid Zaire — 

 the numerous islands mantled with thick mangroves, or 

 covered with Egyptian papyrus, or clumps of the majestic 

 wine-producing Flioenh, which cluster round the native 

 villages — bring to mind the pow^r of Him who caused them 

 to spring from the earth ; whilst the humble 3f7/aj enclosed 

 in a strongly-constructed shell, which enables him to resist, 

 when needful, the action of rapid and agitated waters, tells, 

 in accents soft as the dew of heaven, that His tender mer- 

 cies are over all his works. 



The true Anatina resembles Mya in his mode of life, but 

 the shell differs in having the spoon-shaped ligamentiferous 

 process in both valves. The chief peculiarity is, however, 



2 a 



