98 THE NAUTILUS. 
Without wishing to leave the impression that California can 
compete with Rhode Island in the number of species found in the 
“fish markets,” yet the number recently reported from this State 
ean be greatly increased. The number of shells offered for sale here 
is always limited, and the famous “clam-bake” of the eastern shore 
is never duplicated. In the Los Angeles fish markets, Dona and 
Chione are the most abundant. 
Donax californicus Cony. is the favorite clam for soup. This tiny 
bivalve might seem to an observer “all shell,” yet it proves a very 
good substitute for the oyster in soup. The shells are carefully 
washed, allowed to remain in fresh water some hours, boiled, then 
drained. The liquid drained off is, with plenty of milk added, con- 
verted into a very palatable soup, especially when one is on the 
beach, and has just returned to the tent after a good bath in the 
ocean. 
Chione simillima Sby. is often offered for sale at five cents a pound. 
Chione fluctifraga Sby. and Chione suceincta Val. are occasionally 
found with the former, as they are collected from the same mud 
flats. Soup made from this shell-fish is not finely flavored and the 
meat is tough. 
Tivela crassatelloides Conr., large shells are sometimes sold in the 
markets, usually at five cents each. Tapes staminea Com., Ostrea 
lurida Cpr., Ostrea virginica Gmel. (the latter brought here from 
San Francisco), Mytilus californianus Conr., Mytilus edulis Linn., 
and Pecten aequisulcatus Cpr., are also occasionally offered for sale, 
but in limited quantities. Haliotis cracherodii Leach may some- 
times be seen in the market, although I have not seen one this win- 
ter. Occasionally a small Haliotis fulgens Phil. has been seen with 
the former species. The Mexicans seem to be fond of this shell-fish, 
as I have seen three and four dozen Halioti dried and strung on a 
cord, the same as they string red-peppers. When dried, the Aba- 
lones, as they are named by the Mexicans, look like oblong pieces of 
very thick leather, more than anything else that I can describe. 
The number of species found in Los Angeles city markets, and 
not reported from San Francisco, would, I believe, add six more to 
the Californian region. Professor Keep says the Mytilus californi- 
anus is found outside of San Francisco Bay, but does not mention it 
as sold in the city. Amiantis callosa Conr. is occasionally eaten 
when collected in San Pedro Bay, although I have been told it was 
“not a very tempting dish.” As it does not live near the shore, 
