100 



Maftra lutraria. Lin. Trans, vi. t. 16. f. 3. 4. (Wood.) 

 Pult. Cat. Dorfet. p. 32 

 Don. Br. Shells, ii. t. 58. 

 Tnrt. Lin. iv. p.2 1 l.—Sc/iroet FluJJch. t.2. f. I . 



M. with an oblong-oval, yellowifh-white (hell ; with 

 irregular concentric flria: ; fometimes almofl fmooth, with 

 only a few fmall ridges ; others more ftrongly ridged, efpe- 

 cially at the fliorter end: umbo fmall, placed nearer to 

 one end, from which both fides flope a little : tooth ia 

 one valve triangular, no lateral teeth. Infide gloffy white ; 

 gaping a little at both ends. 



This fpecies has frequently been confounded with the 

 Maclra hians. It is not uncommon on many parts of our 

 coaft, efpecially near the influx of rivers: is found re- 

 markably large near Laugharne on the coaft of Cacrmar- 

 then, and in great abundance : alfo in fome parts of Corn- 

 wall, but more rare on the fouth coafl; o[ Devon, and in 

 Dorfeipdre. Not unfrcqucntly taken above two inches 

 and a half long, and five broad. It is rarely obtained alive, 

 except by digging, and that only when the tide is unufu- 

 al!y low: their place of concealment is generally known 

 bv a dimple on the furface, through which they eje6l wa- 

 ter to a confiderable height; though the fliell is frequent- 

 ly buried two feet beneath. The animal of this and the 

 following fpecies, being an Afcidia, makes a deviation 

 from the generic charafter in that refpeft ; it is large, and 

 protrudes feveral inches at the fmaller end in fearch of 

 food ; frequently not lefs than feven or eight. 



Ma£lra 



