41 



which are very fine and large. The Uniones are gen- 

 •ei-ally so plain in ajipearance as to attract but little 

 notice. But it is known that the modifications of form 

 are very great. I have known the soft parts to be 

 used for food by some people— a purpose for which I 

 should consider them about equal to green chips. 

 However, there is no accounting for tastes. That ra- 

 coons and muskrats are fond of them is evidenced by 

 the sliell-heaps that we frequently see along river 

 banks and on shallows. 



Unio viiii^opiiM, Grken. This shell is found abundantly 

 in the Illinois river, and attains a large size. Color 

 •dark, and appearance rough. 



Uiiio aiata»». Say. A fine winged shell of a greenish 

 color, found in the Fox river and Fox river feeder. 

 As yet I have not obtained them abundantly, and 

 have seen none in the Illinois river, 



UmIo anodontoideii. Lea. This sliell is quite long. 

 The color is milky-white ; shell very smooth. Loc. 

 Illinois river. 



Unio cornutuN, Barnes. A rather small species, 

 -about as broad as long, with several protuberances on 

 each valve. The shell is frequently very finely colored 

 with greenish dots and rays. Loc. Illinois river. 



Unio capax, Gueen. Shell thick ; umbones rather 

 large, color brownish, rayed with green. This shell 

 seems to be allied to Unio oocidens, Lea. This is one 



