4? THE NAUTILUS. 
Mya arenaria L. is highly prized here as food, and grows six inches 
long. Muchera patula Dixon is sold in our markets. Psammobia 
rubroradiata Nutt. is more abundant and larger than in the south, 
It is found 5 inches long, here, partially covered with dark brown 
epidermis. Tapes and Saxidomus are well represented, and, though 
not so prettily marked, are very much larger and stronger (coarser) 
than those growing in the warmer waters of the south. They are 
almost always to be found in the markets. 
Zirphea crispata L. was recently described in one of our Tacoma 
daily papers by one of our Government surveyors as “a new clam.” 
“We have found a new shell unknown to science,” ete. We 
were greatly amused, and sent an article to the paper the next day 
saying Zirphea crispata (a new clam”) is found in abundance on 
both sides of the Atlantic, and was named by Linnzeus long ago. 
Limpets I have found in great abundance and of great size. I 
have several specimens of Acmea patina Esch. found here in the 
“Narrows,” measuring 2} inches in length and 1} inches across. 
Many of this species have bands of translucent tints on their inte- 
rior, and are beautifully marked outside. 
A. pelta is regularly marked with stripes from the apex, which is 
often corroded, in adult specimens, to the base. This is a most 
pleasing shell ; is a sort of hermit, lives alone, often easily obtained ; 
strong, not easily broken ; often pure white inside, sometimes banded. 
I have one with a bright yellow band inside, embossed. Large 
specimens measure 13 inches in length, 14 inches wide, 14 inches 
high. I have not found A. spectrum Nutt. nor Lottia gigantea Gray, 
here. Fine specimens and many variations of A. scabra Nutt. are 
abundant. I have found more of A. persona than of any other spe- 
cies. At Brown’s point, we find at one spot a variety having a 
gray interior with beautiful translucent bands. ‘This is a new var- 
iation to me. A. asmi Midd. is found here, and many I have not 
been able to classify. 
I have one specimen of Fisswridea aspera Esch. 21 inches long, 
14 inches wide and nearly 13 inches high. 
Limpets are sometimes used for picture frames by setting them 
deep in wood and fastening with glue. I saw one valued at fifty 
dollars here. ; 
> ee 
