Shells found in Essex County. 53 



MACTRA GIGANTEA varietya. 



A small, (young?) specimen I have lately met with, on the 

 Lynn beaches, whose valves were variegated with a few angular 

 lines of black ; probably accidental and subject to obliteration 

 on age. 



Variety b. Glaucous green with three or four broad oblique 

 transverse bands. From stomach of fish. 



Cabinet of Society. 



MACTRA ARCTATA. Conrad. Latin, bent, (posterior margin 



curved.) 



A pretty and rather common species, especially on the 

 beaches of Cape Ann ; residing in small burrows in the sand, 

 to which it may be traced by a slight furrow, made by the edges 

 of the shell in moving. Color white or very slightly yellow. I 

 have seen fine specimens from Plum Island. 



Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol vi., p. 257, pi. xi, fig. 1. 



Cabinet of Society. 



MACTRA TELLINOIDES. Conrad. Tellina, and Greek, similar to 

 Tellina-like Mactra. 



Shell ovate, thin and very fragile, with raised lines (striae;) 

 resembling a tellina from a slight fold on the smaller side. 

 Abundant on the muddy shores of South River, and elsewhere 

 in this neighborhood. 



Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil., vol vi., pi. xij fig. 4. 



Cabinet of Society. 



SOLEMYA. Solen and Mya, (signifying that the shell is allied to 



Solen and Mya.) 

 VELUM. Latin, a veil. 



The veiled Solemya. 



Shell very thin and fragile, the epidermis extending beyond 

 the valves in a singular manner, furnishing a not unapt resem- 

 blance to a veil or drapery. Very rare ; to be found after a 

 long storm, and then generally broken. A desirable acquisition 

 to the Cabinet. 

 2 



