The Lucinas 



L. dentata, Wood, has oolique lineations on the concentric 

 belts of surface separated by the remote growth lines. The mar- 

 gins are toothed. The beaks are elevated, central, often cor- 

 roded. Diameter, i inch. 



Habitat. — Cape Hatteras to deep water. 



Nuttall's Lucina (L. Nuttallii, Conr.) exhibits a fine lattice 

 work on its surface, and a flattened and ridged hinge line. Colour 

 white. Diameter, i inch. 



Habitat. — Southern California. 



The California Lucina (L. Calijornica, Conr.) is an abundant 

 little bivalve, circular, with fine concentric lines, and the lunule 

 wholly on the right valve. The lateral hinge teeth are stronger 

 than the cardinals, and the ligament is external. Diameter, J 

 to I finches. 



Habitat. — California. 



A deep water species of the northwest strongly resembles 

 L. fihsa, of the Atlantic side of the continent. It is L. acuti- 

 lineata, Conr. Diameter, 2j inches. 



Habitat. — Sitka to San Pedro Bay, Cal. 



Professor Keep gives preference to the generic name, Pha- 

 coides, of Blainville, with Lucina as a synonym. Lucina is the 

 more familiar name. 



Genus LORIPES, Poli 



This genus is represented on the Florida Keys and on our 

 whole gulf coast by a deep water species, L. edentula, Linn., 

 whose empty valves are cast ashore by storms. Cape Hatteras 

 is its northern station. The large, circular valves are rather 

 ventricose, finely scored by close growth lines, white outside and 

 bright yellow within. The teeth and ligaments are very weak, 

 and it is almost impossible to find mates among the hundreds 

 of shells one has to choose from on the beaches of western 

 Florida. 



The children use these dainty little "buttercups" in setting 

 the table in playhouses. The rich colour that rises almost to 

 the rim suggests nothing more than melted butter. Diameter, 

 2 J inches. 



Lf. compressa, Dall, less than one-half inch long, somewhat 



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