PLATE CXXIV. 



The Common Cockle is abundant on all sandy shores : they lurk 

 in the sand, and their hiding-place is known by a little round depressed 

 spot upon the surface. Cockles are in season from autumn till spring: 

 they are a wholesome and palatable food ; and thofe from Selfea, 

 near Chichester, are esteemed the most delicious in England. 



These Shells vary a litde both in shape and colour : the two fpe- 

 cimens figured on the annexed Plate differ, one being more orbicular 

 than the other. They are generally whitish, sometimes they have a 

 blueish, and sometimes a yellowish tint. 



FIG. 11. 

 CARDIUM RUSTICUM? 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Shell antiquated, with about twenty remote grooves : the interftices 



rugged. 



Cardium R'jstici/m; testa antiquata : sulcis viginti remotis ; in- 

 terstitiis rugosis. Gmeliriy T. I, p. 6. p. 3252. 

 sp. 23 ? 



Notwithstanding the endless variations to which the shells of th*' 

 roramon Cockle are liable, this appears too remote to be admitted as 

 one of them. It passes for Cardium rusticura with some concholo- 

 gills, and though it may not strictly agree with that specific descrip- 

 tion of Gmelin, it approaches nearer to it than to edule. That authot* 



