A GROUP OF SAND-DWELLERS. 91 



and habits, but this book would be 



too large if we were to describe them 



all. I suppose every one of these 



clams are good for food, though you seldom find 



them in the markets. 



But Figure 43 represents one that is always in 

 the San Francisco markets, where it is called the 

 Hard-shelled Clam. Other people call it the Car- 

 pet-shell, because it is thickly set with little ribs 

 or ridges, like a piece of Brussels carpet. Many 

 of the shells also have pretty patterns painted nat- 

 urally upon their outer surface. A great many 

 of these clams are gathered on the shores of To- 

 males Bay; but they live all along the coast. 



Figure 44 shows another fine clam which is sel- 

 dom seen in San Francisco, but which may be 

 bought in the Portland markets; while Figure 45 

 gives you an idea of the little Wedge-shell, which 

 lives so abundantly in the sand at Lon'g Beach, in 

 Los Angeles County. Although it is so small, it 

 is used for food in the following manner. 



A shovelful of the sand in which they live is 

 put into a sieve, and this is shaken in the water. 

 The sand all washes out and the shells are left. 

 When enough have been gathered, they are again 

 carefully washed, and then put into a kettle of 

 boiling water. 



