THE CONCHOLOGISTS’ EXCHANGE. 2 
the typical sections of Planorbis. The species 
is really a Segweend¢ina, but quite distinct from 
the familiar ermigera and from Wheatleyi.* 
Among other species collected by the writer 
in 1885 are several bleached Helicinas, fairly 
resembling A. hanleyana, Pfr. as figured by 
Binney. They are probably identical with 
orbiculata, Say, but better material is needed 
to settle the question. I shall be glad to re- 
ceive information in regard to this form from 
collectors who may have met with it. 
Vide. Proc. Davenport Acad. Sciences, Vol. V. p. 43. 
A DAY AMONG THE MOLLUSKS. 
By Joun Forp, PHILADEPHIA. 
On the western border of Narragansett Bay, 
some twenty miles below the city of Provi- 
dence, R. I, there is a small body of water 
known as Greenwich Bay which might be 
safely termed the paradise of mollusks. 
Rocky, muddy and sandy bottoms alternate, 
while over them all ebbs and flows a tide so 
pure and crystalline in character that the 
smallest objects may be readily seen at depths 
of several feet. 
Plentifully scattered over these submerged 
areas are various species of mollusks, includ- 
ing Pectens, Arcas, Fulgurs, Anomias, Car- 
diums, Littorinas, Crepidulas, and others of 
equal interest. Most abundant of all, how- 
ever, are the edible scallops, Pecten irradians, 
Linn. These are innumerable; hundreds of 
bushels of them being gathered daily for the 
benefit of epicures in New York and other 
cities. Only the contracting muscle is retained 
but it alone makes a morsel half as large as a 
man’s thumb. — Fried in batter, like oysters, a 
dozen or two of these constitute a dish that 
may be eaten with pleasure, as the writer has 
good reason to know. 
Here flourishes, also, the “‘red blood qua- 
haug,” Arca pexata, Say, one of the few if not 
the only species of mollusks whose blood con- 
tains corpuscles closely allied to those found in 
man; a-fact that was recently demonstrated by | 
the eminent biologist, Prof. John A. Ryder. 
This species is of southern origin, their presence 
in Northern waters being due probably to human 
agency; the eggs or very young having been 
carried north with oyster plants taken from 
southern waters for the purpose of bedding. 
Arca pexata and adult specimens of P. 
trradians are chiefly found in from one to two 
fathoms of water, though the young or first 
season’s growth of the latter abound in the 
shallow places near the shore. Here they 
may be seen on sunny days with their valves 
open and the eyes fringing their mantle-edges 
glistening like so many rubies. They have 
been well termed “ Butterflies of the Ocean” 
as the slighest disturbance will often cause 
them to dart away with a sudden erratic move- 
ment precisely similar in character to that of 
their namesakes. 
Littorina litiorea, Linn, inhabit the rocky 
boulders that here and there line the shore, 
while attached to pebbles and other objects, 
may be seen large numbers of ‘Saddle Oys- 
ters” Anomia epphippium, Linn, many of 
which are quite lustrous and of symmetrical 
form.  Cardium Mortoni, Con. are not so 
plentiful, but careful search among the slightly 
submerged Algze is sure to reveal some hand- 
some specimens. As suggested, many other 
smaller species may be secured as a reward for 
a few hours spent in the search. 
Greenwich station on the line from Stoning- 
ton to Providence is within a stone’s throw of 
the bay, and I can safely assure the student 
that a visit there, when the tide is out, will be 
remembered as one of the happiest of his life; 
especially if accompanied by my good friend, 
Mr. Horace F. Carpenter, author of the “ Shell- 
Bearing Mollusca of Rhode Island’’, whose 
ability to find and capture minute species is a 
standing wonder to all less practical observers. 
NEW LOCALITIES. 
Ed. Conchologists’ Exchange, Sir:—You 
can publish under “ New Localities,” C7zzo 
farvus, Barnes found at Shipp’s Lake, Bastrop 
Co , and Colorado River, Austin, Texas; and 
Unio gracilis, Barnes found in Colorado River, 
Austin, Texas. I have nowhere seen these 
species published as occurring in those locali- 
ties, Parvus is I think new.to the State. 
J. A. Singley, Giddings, Tex 
