

We have taken it alive on the coaft of DevonJIiire 

 meafuring two inches and a half in length, and three 

 inches and a half in breadth. In this ftate the epidermis 

 of the fliell joins to the tube or probofcis of the animal, 

 and becomes on that part a tough, thick, dark-coloured, 

 coriaceous fl<;in for its proteclion : and is greatly wrinkled 

 when contrafted. 



The animal is capable of extending this tube to the 

 diftance of nine or ten inches, and of contra6]ing it to 

 about three, but cannot withdraw it into the fhell. 



Mya margaritifera. Lin. Syjl. p. 1112. 



Gmel. Syji. p. 3219. 

 Br. Zool t. 43. f. IS. 

 Da. Cofta. p. 225. t. 15. f. 3. 

 Lijler. Conch, t. IA9.A.—Id. Angl. app. 

 t. 1. f. l.—Shroct. Flvfscon. t. 4. f. J. 

 Chem. Conch, vi. t. 1. f. 5. 

 Turt. Lin. iv. p. 176. 



M. with a thick, ftrong, ovate-oblong fhell, fomewhaf. 

 indented or arcuated oppofite the hinge ; covered with a 

 black epidermis: rugged and decorticated, particularly 

 about the iimbo, and frequently perforated with fmall 

 round holes. Infide of a greenifli pearly hue: fometimes 

 of a deep bronze all over, or only in patches on the ele- 

 vated parts ; for the infide is frequently rugged and worn, 



F as 



Margariti- 



Fi RA. 



