160 BIVALVES. 



which it grea ly resembles, are found in abun- 

 dance on the Paignton sands in Torbay, where 

 at low tide they may be observed with their 

 fringed tubes just appearing above the surface 

 of the sea. The neighbouring cottagers collect 

 them in baskets, and after cleansing them in cold 

 spring water, fry the mollusc a in a batter made 

 of crumbs of bread, producing a wholesome and 

 savoury dish ; they call them Red Noses. 



GENUS. MACTRA.* 



/ 



KNEADING-TROUGH. 



Generic character. Shell bivalve, equivalve, in- 

 equilateral, sometimes gaping; shape frequently 

 subtriangular, hinge with the cardinal tooth com- 

 plicated,! and an adjacent cavity filled by the 

 ligament which is internal, the lateral teeth 

 laminar, double in one valve, inserted. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE SHELL AND ITS 

 INHABITANT. 



The shells of this genus are clearly marked 

 by their angular central tooth, and internal liga- 

 ment. They vary little in form or colouring, 



* Plate VIII. figures 3, 4. 



f Complicated, folded together, from the Latin con, with, to- 

 gether, and plica re, to fold." 



