MYAD^. GAPER. 9 



the spoon-shell, probably owing to the wide spoon- 

 shaped tooth in the left valve. The length of a full- 

 grown specimen is about 3 inches, by 2\ in breadth. 

 Mya arenaria is larger than Mya truncata, longer and 

 more pointed at the gaping end, equally coarse and 

 rugged in appearance, its colour varying according to 

 the nature of the soil in which it buries itself. 

 Montagu states that this species is eaten at South- 

 ampton, and called "old maid;"* but upon making 

 inquiry there I cannot discover that they are now 

 known by that name. In Chichester harbour and in 

 Fareham Creek the poorer classes collect them for 

 eating, and call them " pullers." At Youghal the 

 name for them is " sugar-loons," and in Dublin 

 "colliers," and at both places they are considered 

 good bait, and fit to eat ; but at Youghal they warn 

 you to be careful to take off the skin which covers the 

 outside of the shell and tube, as it is supposed to be 

 poisonous. However, it is probably harmless, except 

 in cases where it causes indigestion ; but I believe 

 Mya arenaria has been known really to disagree with 

 some people, and Miss Ball mentions a friend being 

 very uncomfortable after eating one. The Hampshire 

 people do not seem to have noticed this peculiarity. 

 I cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing 

 my sincere thanks to Miss Ball for much valuable in- 

 formation, which she kindly sent to me from Ireland, 

 respecting the various edible mollusks. 



Mya arenaria (Mye des sables) may occasionally be 

 seen exposed for sale in the market at Bordeaux. 



It is the Soft Clam of America, and there it is most 

 highly esteemed as food, and also as bait. Mr. Earll 

 * Forbes and Hanley, * British Mollusca.' 



