314 MARINE SHELLS 



nent, very convex within, and with a small tooth oh 

 its posterior side ; within white. 



Length one and three-tenths of an inch. 



Breadth two inches. 



Inhabits the coast of the United States. 



Cabinet of the Academy and Philadelphia Mu- 

 seum. 



This species, as well as the preceding, is known 

 by the name of the Maninose or Piss clam, from the 

 circumstance of its occasionally ejecting a sudden jet 

 of water, to a considerable height above the surface 

 of the sand, during the refluence of the tide. This 

 jet may be commanded, by stamping upon the saud 

 with the foot, near the entrance of their dwelling : it 

 is sometimes brought to our markets, and is by many 

 persons highly esteemed as food, it is said by some to 

 be preferable to the common clam ; ( Venus mercena- 

 ria.) 



ANATINA, Lam. 



Species. 



A. *papyratia. Shell turgid, very thin and 

 fragile, transversely ovate, one valve very convex, 

 and at the basal margin projecting a little beyond the 

 edge of the other; beaks not prominent, placed near 

 one end ; surface of the valves very slightly wrinkled, 

 white ; shorter margin a little gaping, and with a lon- 

 gitudinal wave ; tooth very oblique. 



Inhabits the southern coast. 



