The Razor Shells. Razor Clams 



S. viridis. Say, with pale green epidermis, two inches long, 

 occurs north to Rhode Island and is abundant from New Jersey 

 southward. 



Genus ENSIS, Schum. 



Shell elongated, transverse, curved or straight, gaping and 

 squarish at ends; siphons short, divided; hinge teeth two and three 

 at upper, anterior angle. 



Very similar in structure to Solen, with which it is constantly 

 confused. Fourteen species, in temperate and warm seas. 



The Sword Razor (Ensis directus, Dall) is the common long 

 razor of the east coast. The foot is thick and strong, and changes 

 form with great suddenness, enabling the mollusk to disappear 

 into the sand on the approach of danger. The valves curve 

 slightly. The surface is marked longitudinally with fine growth 

 lines, joined in the middle of each valve with cross lines concentric 

 with the comer hinge. The white, thin shell is covered with 

 glossy greenish epidermis. 



This is Solen ensis, Linn., and Ensis Americanus, Gld. 

 Length, 6 inches. 



Habitat. — New England southward. 



The California Sword Razor (£. Calijornicus, Dall) is a 

 miniature of E. directus, delicate, slender, scarcely three inches long, 

 and rosy-mottled on the cross lines, under the homy epidermis. 



Habitat. — Monterey southward. 



The Pod Razor {E. siliqua, Linn.) is the type. This is the 

 "spout fish" of British coasts. It is curve but slightly and 

 squared at both ends. The hinge at one corner has a single 

 cardinal on the right valve fitting between two teeth on the left. 

 The strong adductor muscles reinforce the hinge, else the valves 

 would not be under control. Sand between mantle and shell 

 cannot be expelled, so it is overlaid with nacre. This is the razor 

 that snips off a portion of its foot when excited, the valves acting 

 as scissors. Length, 6 to 8 inches. 



Habitat — Europe. 



Genus SOLECURTUS, Blainv. (TAGELUS, Gray) 



Shell elongated, ventricose, smooth hinge sub-central; ends 

 rounded, gaping; animal too large for its shell; foot thick; siphons 



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