278 SEALE. 



from the beak to the margin of the shell. The usual size of 

 our most abundant species is about 6 to 8 centimeters. Six 

 species, T. pellucida Phil., T. perplexa Hem., T. incerta Desh., 

 T. capsoides Lam., and T. timorensis Lam., are to be found in 

 the local markets; they sell for 15 centavos per kilogram and 

 make very good soup. The young are sometimes called paros- 

 parosan. The paros, Capsella elongata Linn. (Plate II, fig. 8), 

 is very similar to the above. 



MUSSELS. 



Tehong. There are about a dozen different species of mussels, 

 family Mytilidas, in the Philippines, representing at least three 

 genera — Mytilus, the edible mussel; Modiola, the horse mussel; 

 and Lithodomus, the rock-eaters. All are used as food in these 

 Islands; perhaps the most abundant species is Modiola matealfei 

 Hare. (Plate I, fig. 10.) They are found in the salt water 

 usually attached to stones or piles. They are bluish or greenish, 

 and from 4 to 13 centimeters in length. Their price in the 

 local market is about 8 centavos per kilogram. 



RAZOR CLAMS. FAMILY SOLENIDjE. 



There are three varieties of razor clams (tikhan) found in the 

 Philippines. These are Solenocurtus acurtidens Brod. et Low., 

 Solen grandis Dkr., and Solen gracilis Phil. (Plate II, fig. 10). 

 The last-named species is the most abundant, being found on 

 sandy or muddy beaches at very shallow depths. The shells are 

 pale green, and measure about 7 to 8 centimeters in length by 

 1.5 centimeters in width. All are used as food and sell for 10 

 centavos per kilogram in the markets. 



FRESH-WATER MUSSEL. 



The siilib, Anodonta tenius Lea (Plate I, fig. 8), is common in 

 the Pasig River. The shell is greenish brown, smooth, and 

 about 8 to 10 centimeters in length. The inside is a beautiful 

 mother-of-pearl color; however, the shell is too thin for the 

 manufacture of buttons, and I have never known of a pearl 

 being found in one of them. They are highly regarded as food 

 by the native inhabitants, and sell in the local market for 6 

 centavos per kilogram. 



"BALAY." tongue CLAM. 



These strangely-shaped shells, Lingula anatina Linn. (Plate 

 I, fig. 11), are found in great abundance on Pasay beach, es- 

 pecially after a heavy storm, when they are secured by thou- 



