The Tellen Shells. Sunset Shells. Wedge Shells 



mens: they arc not faded by being exposed in sunny shop win- 

 dows waiting for a buyer. 



T. tenera, Say, has flat, fragile, pellucid white or rosy shells, 

 covered with fine concentric lines of growth. The front is 

 rounded; the posterior end slopes abruptly from the beak, form- 

 ing a blunt-pointed extremity. Chief tooth in each valve grooved. 

 This little mollusk frequents sandy beaches, just below low water 

 mark. Length, ^ to § inch. 



Habitat. — Nova Scotia to West Indies. 



T. tenta, Say, is a little larger than T. tenera, has a dull 

 white surface, and gapes at the narrow, posterior end. 



Habitat. — Massachusetts to South Carolina. 



T. alternata, Say, is a much larger clam, with flat, broad 

 valves, scored with growth lines, every other one obsolete on the 

 posterior area, which is set off by a straight angular ridge extend- 

 ing diagonally out from the beak. Colour, yellowish white or rosy. 

 Length, 2 to 3 inches. 



Habitat. — North Carolina to West Indies. 



T. modesta, Verrill, is pinkish, white, or tinged with yellow, 

 often in bands following the close lines of growth. The surface is 

 polished, and iridescent. The beaks are small and set far back. 

 A sharp angle subtends the flat, posterior area. The teeth of 

 the hinge are strong, two-cleft. Length, i inch. 



Habitat. — Puget Sound, New England. 



T. polita, Say, is a shiny little white shell with minute con- 

 centric surface wrinkles. The umbones are nearly midway be- 

 tween the rounded front and the pointed posterior end of each 

 valve. Length, § inch. 



Habitat. — North Carolina southward. 



T. iris.. Say, is a fragile, iridescent, white shell, with a few 

 rosy rays and circles faintly colouring the valves. The margins 

 are smooth and sharp; above, the surface is wrinkled and cross- 

 ridged. Length h, inch. 



Habitat. — North Carolina southward. 



The Leaf Tellina {T. joliacea, Linn.) dull brown with scaly 

 pointed posterior surface, is unlike other species. Though from 

 the Moluccas and other remote islands, it is well known to collec- 

 tors. Length, 4 to 5 inches. 



The Crested Tellina {T. cristata, Recluz) has a solid, tri- 

 angular shell, with a pointed ruffle like a cock's notched comb 



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