MYA. 91 



SAND GAPER. 

 PL 11. f. 3. 



2. Mya arenaria. M. testa ovata, postice rotundata : cardinis dente 

 antrorsum porrecto, rotundato, denticuloque laterali. Linn. Syst. Nat. 

 ed. 1812. p. 1112. Linn. Gmel. 1. p. 3218. 



Shell oval, rounded behind ; hinge with a rounded tooth projecting for- 

 wards, and a lateral smaller one. 



List. Conch, t. 418. f. 262. & t. 419. f. 263. Baster. Opusc. Subs. t. 7. 

 f. 1. 3. Penn. Brit. Zool. 1812. vol. 4. pi. 45. Chem. Conch. 6. 1. 1. 

 f. 3, 4. Encyclop. Method, t. 229. f. 1. a. b. Pult. in Hutch. 

 Dorset, t. 4. f. 2. Donov. Brit. Shells, pi. 85. Mont. Test. Brit. 

 p. 30. Linn. Trans. 6. 14. f. 3, 4. & 8. p. 35. 



The M. arenaria is a strong oval shell, gaping at 

 both ends. The outside, when recent, is covered with 

 a yellowish, or reddish brown coat, frequently marked 

 with dark patches. It is concentrically striated, and 

 has faint indications of longitudinal stria?, from hinge to 

 margin; but these are not visible in all shells. The 

 tooth is thick and spoon-shaped, with a small lateral 

 one on the anterior side. The inside white ; the nar- 

 row end turns outwards, and has a few hairs attached 

 to the epidermis externally. The valves are connected 

 together by a strong cartilage, which fills the cavity of 

 the tooth. 



Inhabits the European seas, and is found on sandy 

 shores, buried to the depth of several inches, with the 

 narrow end upwards. The animal, like that of the 

 preceding species, has a long double tube, which it 

 can extend, or contract, at pleasure. Their situation in 

 the sand is known by a small hole on the surface, 

 which betrays them to the fishermen, who dig them up 

 for sale. They are brought to the London market 



