CHAPTER XI: THE SEMELES 



Family Semelid^ 



Shell thin, almost equivalve, gaping and usually flexuose 

 behind; ligament external, short; cartilage in the cardinal pit; 

 siphons long, divergent. 



Genus SEMELE, Schum. 



The Rayed Semele (S. radiata, Say) has flat, circular 

 valves, a bit concave on the posterior side, colourless or rayed 

 with bands of rose colour. Lining yellow. Length, i inch. 



Habitat. — Geogia southward. 



The Rock Semele (5. nipium, Sby.) with a pink hinge area, 

 is a pretty species of Southern California. Length, i inch. 



The Clipped Semele (5. Jm5<3,Conr.) has its circular outline 

 clipped behind in a straight line. The brown, wrinkled exterior 

 is unattractive, but the shell lining is china-like, tinged purple, 

 darkening to the lips. Length, 2 inches. 



Habitat. — Southern California. 



S. Californica, Ads., is a rare, yellow species an inch across. 

 S. rubro-picta, Dall, has an irregularly cross-ridged surface rayed 

 with purplish rosy bands. Inside, the thick valves are yellow or 

 white. These two species are found in the same locality. 



Habitat. — San Diego, Cal. 



Genus CUMINGIA, Sby. 



Shell ovate-triangular, broadly rounded in front, white, 

 equilateral; surface marked with elevated growth lines. 



C. tellenoides, Conr., ranges from Cape Cod to the West 

 Indies. Specimens I studied alive at Woods Holl were taken 

 from a thin stratum of soft mud in water three feet deep. The 

 station of these interesting little clams is known only to Mr. George 



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