358 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



sold in the markets, that they might readily be mistaken for another 

 species. 



The ^' sea-clam "' or " surf-clam," Mactra soUdisslma, (Plate XXVIII, 

 fig. 202,) is a large species which belongs properly to the sandy shores, and 

 is seldom found elsewhere. It is common both in the sounds and on the 

 outer ocean-beaches, but is not verj often found above low-water of or- 

 dinary tides unless thrown up by the waves. Its proper home is on 

 sandy bottoms in shallow water, just beyond low- water mark and down 

 to the depth of four or five fathoms. It occurs all along our coast, 

 wherever there are sandy shores, from Korth Carolina to Labrador. Its 

 shells are extremely abundant and of .very large size on the outer sand- 

 beaches of Xew Jersey and the southern side of Long Island. This 

 species grows very large, some of the shells being more than six inches 

 long and four or five broad j and there is great variation in the form of 

 the shell, some being oval, others more oblong or elliptical, and others 

 nearly triangular ; some are very swollen, others quite comi^ressed ; but 

 all the intermediate grades occur. The siphon-tubes are quite short and 

 the creature does not usually burrow very deeply, nor does it seem to 

 construct any permanent burrows. But it has a very large muscular, 

 compressed foot, with which it can quickly burrow beneath the surface 

 of the sand. Xevertheless large numbers are always thrown on the 

 beaches by violent storms, and once there they are very soon devoured 

 by crows, gulls, and other large birds that frequent the shores. This 

 species is not very largely used as food, and is seldom seen in our mar- 

 kets ; partly because it cannot usually be so easily obtained in large 

 quantities as the common '' long clam" and '-round clam," and partly 

 because it is generally inferior to those species as an article of food, for 

 the meat is usually tougher, especially in the largest specimens. But 

 moderate-sized and young '• surf-clams" are by no means ill-flavored or 

 tough, and are quite equal in quality to any of the other clams, either 

 " long" or ''round," that are ordinarily sold in the markets. 



The Siliqua costata, (Plate XXXII, fig. 211,) Lyonsia hyalina, (Plate 

 XXVII, fig. 194,) and Lccvicardmm Mortoni, (Plate XXIX, fig. 208,) are 

 usually to be found on sand}^ shores and beaches, often in considerable 

 numbers, but they do not naturally live above low-water mark, and, 

 when found higher up, have probably been carried there by the action 

 of the waves. Their proper homes are on sandy bottoms, in shallow 

 water oft' shore. They are all rapidly burrowing species, and can live, 

 for a time at least, in the loose sand above low- water mark. 



The Angulus tener (Plate XXVI, fig. 180, animal, and Plate XXX, fig. 

 223, shell) is a species that is partial to sandy bottoms and sandy 

 shores, though it is also often found in soft mud. It frequently occurs 

 living at low-water mark, but is more abundant in deeper water. It is 

 a rapid burrower, and has remarkably long, slender, white siphons, 

 which are entirely separate, from the base, and very ilexible. On account 

 of the length of these tubes it can renuiin buried to a considerable 



