EDIBLE MOLLUSKS. 275 



The shell of the oyster is used in some parts of Luzon for 

 the manufacture of lime, the price paid being 2 pesos per cubic 

 meter. At Malabon there are piles of old shells of fully 100 

 cubic meters, which will serve to indicate the extent of the 

 oyster industry at that place. 



SURF CLAMS. 



The calumismis, Tapes striatm Chem. (Plate I, fig. 4), is 

 easily distinguished by the narrow black lines which form reti- 

 culations on the sides and straight lines on the margins. It 

 measures about 7 centimeters across the widest diameter. It 

 is found buried in the sand along the beach in shallow water, 

 apparently much scattered, not growing in regular beds. These 

 clams sell for from 7 to 12 centavos per dozen in the market. 

 They are usually secured in the greatest numbers during October. 



HARD SHELL CLAMS. 



There are at least two species of clams included under the 

 names halaan, patayog, and cabia. One, Tapes literata Linn. 

 (Plate I, fig. 2), is brownish pink to white, with about three 

 broad, radiating, white stripes from the back to the margin of 

 the shell; these stripes have dark margins. This is by far the 

 most abundant mollusk to be found in the Manila market, and 

 can be secured at any time. In size it is about 6 centimeters 

 across the greatest diameter. The clams are secured chiefly 

 on the Pasay beach near Manila, usually at low tide. After a 

 heavy storm, thousands are washed ashore and the beds are 

 greatly damaged. They sell in the market for 40 centavos per 

 hundred. They make excellent soup. Another clam, also called 

 halaan, Tapes virginas Linn. (Plate I, fig. 3), is in shape and 

 general appearance much like the above, except that the stripes 

 radiating from the beak to the margin of the shell are black or 

 purple. This is a finely flavored clam, and commands the same 

 price in the market as T. literata Linn. 



t 



SAND CLAM. 



The saropsarop or daroparpar, Circe undatina Linn. (Plate 

 I, fig. 5), is not so abundant as the halaan. It is also of less 

 width between the valves ; its longest diameter is about 6 centi- 

 meters. It is yellowish white with black lines across the hinge 

 margin and above the beak. It is a good, clean food and 

 sells in the market for 10 centavos per kilogram. It is found 

 in salt water on practically all sandy beaches of the Philippines. 



