62 M Y A. 



In a few instances the hinge is destitute of teeth, 

 and the shell is only to be classed by other points 

 of generic resemblance. It would perhaps be bet- 

 ter if this genus were recast ; for, as it at present 

 stands, it includes most palpably several stolen 

 species. The inhabitants of the Mya burrow in 

 the sand or mud, leaving a channel, through which 

 they occasionally thrust their retractile proboscis. , 

 Some of the species produce pearls. The Greek 

 original [luot^ signifies a compressed shell ; hence 

 the word Mya. 



