THE FRESH-WATER CLAM AND ITS 'ALLIES 183 



merce for New England was estimated to be worth nearly 

 half a million dollars, 



FIG. 168. Mactra solidissinia, the Eastern hen clam. Nat. size. From 

 Gould-Binney. 



The Veneridae : include the hard-shelled clam or " quo- 

 hog " of the Indians. Venus mercenaries is the commonest 

 species, and is most abundant south of Cape Cod. It owes 



FIG. 169. Mya arenaria, the New England " clam." At the left the foot is 

 seen ; at the right, the siphon. One-half nat. size. From Verrill, " Inverte- 

 brates of Vineyard Sound." 



1 Venus, the goddess of love. 



