28 THE NAUTILUS. 



Without wishing to leave the impression that California can 

 compete with Rhode Island in the number of species found in the 

 "fish markets," yet the number recently reported from this State 

 can be greatly increased. The number of shells offered for sale here 

 is always limited, and the famous "clam-bake" of the eastern shore 

 is never duplicated. In the Los Angeles fish markets, Donax and 

 Chione are the most abundant. 



Donax californicus Conr. is the favorite clam for soup. This tiny 

 bivalve might seem to an observer " all shell," yet it proves a very 

 good substitute for the oyster in soup. The shells are carefully 

 washed, allowed to remain in fresh water some hours, boiled, then 

 drained. The liquid drained ofi" is, with plenty of milk added, con- 

 verted into a very palatable soup, especially when one is on the 

 beach, and has just returned to the tent after a good bath in the 

 ocean. 



Chione simillima Sby. is often offered for sale at five cents a pound. 

 Chione fluctifraga Sby. and Chione succinda Val. are occasionally 

 found with the former, as they are collected from the same mud 

 flats. Soup made from this shell-fish is not finely flavored and the 

 meat is tough. 



Tivela crassatelloides Conr., large shells are sometimes sold in the 

 markets, usually at five cents each. Tapes staminea Com., Odrea 

 lurida Cpr., Ostrea virginica Gmel. (the latter brought here from 

 San Francisco), Mytilua californiamis Conr., Mytilus edulis Linn., 

 and Peden aequisulcatus Cpr., are also occasionally offered for sale, 

 but in limited quantities. Haliotis cracherodii Leach may some- 

 times be seen in the market, although I have not seen one this win- 

 ter. Occasionally a small Haliotis fulgens Phil, has been seen with 

 the former species. The Mexicans seem to be fond of this shell-fish, 

 as I have seen three and four dozen Halioti dried and strung on a 

 cord, the same as they string red-peppers. When dried, the Aba- 

 lones, as they are named by the Mexicans, look like oblong pieces of 

 very thick leather, more than anything else that I can describe. 



The number. of species found in Los Angeles city markets, and 

 not reported from San Francisco, would, I believe, add six more to 

 the Californian region. Professor Keep says the Mytilus calij'orni- 

 anus is found outside of San Francisco Bay, but does not mention it 

 as sold in the city. Amiantis callosa Conr. is occasionally eaten 

 when collected in San Pedro Bay, although I have been told it was 

 " not a very tempting dish." As it does not live near the shore, 



