709 A. E, Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 297 
It is probable, therefore, that this was a species formerly common, 
but exterminated by the settlers for food. Probably it was rare even 
in 1812, otherwise there would have been more shells in the kitchen 
middens. The last of the race may have been exterminated by the 
soldiers in 1812, or perhaps by some natural cause, about that time. 
The Great Conch or Pink Conch. (Strombus gigas.) 
The large pink conch has, in recent times, been so extensively 
fished for sale to visitors that its numbers have very much decreased, 
though some are still taken in a few places. One of its localities is 
in Castle Harbor, about half a mile north of Castle Island ; another 
is in Great Harbor. 
The Trumpet Shell. (Triton variegatus.) 
This large shell has also become rare in these waters, only a few 
scattering specimens being now found. 
The Spotted Cowrie. (Cyprea exanthema.) 
This handsome shell has also become very rare, like several others 
that are caught for sale as curiosities. Some of the specimens for- 
merly taken were of great size and very handsomely colored. I 
have seen some that were 44 inches or more in length. 
g— Bivalves: Scallops ; Oysters, ete. 
The Scallop. (Pecten ziczac Lam.) 
This large scallop is still found in small numbers in certain parts 
of Harrington Sound and in a few other localities, but is said to be 
much less abundant than formerly. Its flesh (adductor muscle) is 
well flavored and it is, therefore, much in demand. 
‘ The Oyster; Pearl Oyster. (Margaritophora radiata Lam.) 
The so-called oyster of Bermuda is not a real oyster, but is a true 
pearl oyster, smaller in size than most of the pearl oysters of the 
Pacific and Indian oceans. It is, however, used to a considerable 
extent as food, but is neither so tender nor so palatable as the Ameri- 
can oyster, nor does it contain so much nutritive material. It is 
still fairly abundant in certain parts of Harrington Sound and many 
other places, but is said to be less abundant and smaller than for- 
merly, owing to overfishing. 
In the early days of Bermuda, the settlers and the Company had 
great hopes of finding valuable pearls in these shells, but though 
