CLASS V. LAMELLIBIIANCHIATA: ORDER 1. SIPHONATA. 521 



The Round Clam, Venus mercenaria of De Kay — the Quaho(j of the Indians — is two to three 

 and a lialf inches long, and is greatly esteemed as food. It is found from Delaware Bay to 

 Cape Ann, and is consumed in large quantities. From the internal purple part of the shell, 

 the colored beads of the Aborigines were formerly manufactured, constituting the ivamjmiii which 

 was used as their specie currency. Long Island was anciently the great mint for the supply of 

 this article, hence its Mohican name of Seawan Hackee^ or the Isle of Shells. The V. votata 

 resembles the preceding, and is often found mingled with it: by some it is regarded as of the 

 same species. It is, however, smaller, and is probably distinct. There are many other species 

 of the genus Venus along the coasts of the United States, 



THE MACTRID^. 



To this family belongs the Beach-Clam or Dipper-Clam of Long Island, Mactra solidissima, 

 the largest of our bivalve shells, measuring sometimes seven inches across. It is found buried in 

 the sand, and is relished as food. There are several other species, and also several other analo- 

 gous genera, on the Atlantic shores of the United States. 



THE MYAD^. 



To this family belongs the Long Clam, Mya arenaria, found on both sides of the Northern At- 

 lantic shores ; it is abundant on the coasts of New England and New York, and greatly esteemed 

 by the inhabitants for food. In some places it retains its Indian name of Maninose. The shape 

 of the shell is oval, the siphon protruding, sometimes half an inch, from one end. It is found 

 buried a few inches deep in the sand between high and low water mark. It is usually detected 

 by a small aperture in the sand, from which it ejects a stream of water if any one treads near it. 



On parts of Long Island the hogs root for 

 this species, following the ebb and flow 

 of the tide. Five thousand bushels of 

 these clams are annually consumed in Bos- 

 ton ; five thousand barrels, containing five 

 millions of clams, are annually taken and 

 salted on the coasts of Barnstable and 

 i Essex, in Massachusetts, for bait for the 

 cod-fisheries. This species is very ex- 

 tensively used along the shores of Rhode 

 Island* and Connecticut. In point of real 

 importance it yields to no shell-fish in our 

 country except the oyster. 



There are several other species of this 

 genus : the Panopcea Australis is a large 

 analogous species, found at Port Natal, on the coast of Africa. It buries itself several feet 

 deep in the sand. In general form it resembles the long clam, but its siphon projects farther 

 from the shell. 



THE PANOP^A AUSTUALIS. 



* The Clam-bakes, which take place every season, near Bristol, Rhode Island, and often in other parts of that 

 state, as well as in Massachusetts, are said to be founded on traditions of the Indians in that quarter, who were ac- 

 customed to hold clam-feasts, in which great numbers were assembled, and a high festival was had over Long 

 Clams and Green Corn, roasted in heaps, and arranged in layers between sea-weed. The modern Clam-bake is a re- 

 finement upon that of the Aborigines. A circular layer of large stones, some ten feet in diameter, is arranged on the 

 ground : over this is made a strong fire till the stones are nearly red-hot. Over the stones is placed a layer of sea- 

 weed, and on this a layer of clams two or three inches thick. Then comes another covering of sea-weed, and then 

 green corn in the husk, with potatoes and other vegetables ; then a layer of chickens dressed and seasoned ; then a 

 coat of sea-weed ; then tautog, pan-fish, lobsters, and the like. These layers are repeated according to the extent of the 

 party. The pile being finished, the whole is covered with a tent-sheet to keep the steam in. When done, each 

 member of the party helps himself in a free-and-easy way. The feast is said to be luxurious beyond description, and 

 it is affirmed that no one was ever known to suffer from a surfeit at a Clam-bake. In the ancient days of the savages, 

 renowned warriors assembled here, from far and near, to partake of these feasts. In like manner, the braves of the 

 bench, the bar, and the forum, of our days, gather at the bakes, attended by fair ladies — these assemblies sometimes 

 amounting to hundreds of individuals. 

 Vol. II.— 66 



