270 Umversity of California Publications in Zoology [ Vou. 14 
Paphia Bolten 
Paphia staminea (Conrad) 
Plate 21, figure la and 1b, pl. 45 
Venus staminea Conrad (1837), p. 250, pl. 19, fig. 15. 
Lapes staminea, Carpenter (1863), p. 641; Wood and Raymond (1891), p. 
55; Arnold, R. (1903), p. 150, pl. 14, fig. 4; Dall (1902a), p. 397. 
Description.—Conrad (1837) described this species as follows: 
“Shell suboval, or suborbicular, convex, with numerous crowded radiating 
striae, and finer concentric lines, most distinct on the anterior side; posterior 
extremity direct; ligament margin nearly parallel with the base; colour varie- 
gated with yellowish and brown, and with brown angular spots; cardinal teeth 
compressed; sinus of palleal impression profound.’’ 
Length, 2 to 75 mm. 
Occurrence.—At stations D 5703 (4), D 5704 (3, 1), D5705 (6), 
D 5706 (4), D5712* (1), D5718 (1), D5723 (6, 1), D5740 (2), 
D 5743 (17), D5744 (7, 1), D5762 (1), D5767 (2), D5772 (2), 
D 5773 (1, 1), D5778 (1), D 5781 (2), 5795 (1), D 5796 (1), D 5800 
(1), D 5808 (1), D 5823 A (3), D5827 (1), D 5833 (4, 2), D 5840 
(16), D 5842 (1), D 5843 (3), D 5846 (13), Standard Oil Pier, Rich- 
mond (1), Red Rock (2), Sausalito (7, 16), and questionably at 
D 5729, D 5736, D 5737, D 5754, D 5768, D 5845. 
This edible clam is known on the West Coast by a number of varie- 
ties which have been redefined by Dall (1902). The typical form has 
been reported from these local waters by Wood and Raymond (1891). 
In speaking of this form Dall (1902, p. 397) states that it has fine 
even radial riblets and imconspicuous concentric sculpture, and that 
it has a yellowish-white color with purplish-brown maculations. The 
variety P. straminea var. petiti (Deshayes) lacks the maculations and 
has the sculpture markedly separated into areas. This form com- 
monly occurs north of the Columbia River although it probably oceurs 
farther south. The form P. staminea var. laciniata Carpenter, most 
common south of Monterey resembles the Columbia River form in the 
type of ribbing except that spines are developed at the intersections 
of the radial and concentric ribs. The northern form P. staminea var. 
ruderata (Deshayes) has very pronounced concentric sculpture. An- 
other type which conforms in shape to cavities in rocks or pholadid 
borings in which it may happen to become imprisoned is known as 
P. staminea var. orbella Carpenter. 
The specimens obtained by the Survey appear to belong to the 
typical form except for a few crude specimens found as nestlers in 
