The Tellen Shells. Sunset Shells. Wedge Shells 



Floridians call them "pompano shells," and know them best as 

 the basis of a most delicious soup. A sieve of suitable mesh is used 

 to separate the shells from the sand in which they hide. It is not 

 unusual to see women and children gathering the shells for use in 

 the making of shell flowers and other articles which winter visitors 

 buy. The valves are even punctured and strung, an inch or more 

 apart, on coloured silk threads to be hung in doorways as por- 

 tieres. I saw one of these that was really exquisite; the colours 

 blended as in a rich mosaic of small and uniform pattern ; the dom- 

 inant colour, a warm heliotrope, was furnished by the strong silk 

 threads. A loose crocheted stitch hung each shell securely in 

 its place. Not the least attractive feature of this unique, shin- 

 ing fabric was the very musical rattle it had whenever anyone 

 brushed it In passing. Thirty dollars was paid for this piece of 

 work which contained as many thousand shells. The largest 

 was half an inch long. 



The Smooth W^edge Shell (D. Icevigata, Desh.) so strongly 

 resembles its Floridian relative as to make a separate name seem 

 unnecessary. White and shades of blue prevail as schemes of 

 ornament, though lemon yellow and other colours are seen. 

 Boys with push carts gather these miniature bivalves by the bushel 

 at low tide, and sell them fresh to the townspeople at ten cents 

 a quart. The broth is considered especially desirable for invalids. 



Habitat. — Southern California. 



The California 'Wedge Shell (D. Californica, Conr.) has the 

 posterior end prolonged and rounded, so as to bring the two beaks 

 near the middle of the shell. This is not the typical Donax form 

 The valves are extremely light and thin, and ordinarily lack the 

 vivid colour that decorates the shells of the other two forms 

 Some have radiating stripes of blue or black. 



Habitat. — California. 



The Hide Wedge Shell (D. scortum, Linn.) is the largest 

 species. Its valves are white and china-like, locking in front with 

 strong teeth. The posterior end forms a heart-shaped concav- 

 ity set off from the sides by sharp, angular ridges. The lines of 

 growth are edged with upturning frills, and these are fluted by 

 fine radiating ridges. Young shells wear rows of spines on the 

 borders of the posterior area, and wide frills on the anterior end 

 of the shell. Length, 2^ inches. 



Habitat. — Ceylon, Cape of Good Hope. 



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