23 
Fagelus gibbus Spengler, is a long 
clam, “gaping” or open at both ends. 
One valve has two long slender car- 
Fig. 24. - Tagelus gibbus. 
dinal teeth, but in the other they are 
scarcely visible. When living in the 
sand they are covered with a yellow 
epidermis ; but they usually live in 
mud, and are then almost free from 
this covering and stained black. The 
common size is nearly twice as large 
as this figure. 
The curious family of Razor shells, 
Solenide have long, smooth shining 
shells, very beautiful when found alive 
or in good condition. They live in 
holes in the mud between tides, reach- 
ing their siphons to the surface when 
the water covers them. They dig 
with wonderful speed when danger, in 
the form of a shell-hunter or other- 
wise threatens, and about the only 
way to catch them alive is to cut off 
retreat by thrusting a spade under 
them. 
Solen Americanus. ~ 
