THE 



CONCHOLOGICAL MAGAZINE 



Vol. II July, 1908 No. 7 



TALKS ON SHELLS (VII & VIII) 



[In these Talks on Shells, we have selected only a few 



of the interesting facts given 



BY Mr. IWAKAWA) 



Tapes philippinarum Ads. & Rve. — Asari. 



This species is a bivalve found in plenty in the sea, west of 

 Tokyo. It is the same that is sold at the shell-fish-dealer's through 

 the city of Tokyo and its suburbs all the year round. Spring is its 

 season. Its variety of markings are so numerous that we can't 

 count them all, it being very easy to find several even among the 

 shells in a small bowl. I have been told by a friend, who once 

 studied the different of markings on the shells, that all the marks 

 'may be divided into four classes, cloudy, lineal, wavy, and blank. 

 He found that those which had cloudy marks were the most 

 numerous out of 202 specimens 150 being that class. 



Mactra veneriformis Desh. — Shio-fuki. 



This species is commonly found in the eastern sea. It lives at 

 the bottom of the same sea that 'Asari ' inhabits. Tokyo Bay is 

 the best place of production. Its flesh is sold at the dealer's as is 

 'Asari,' but it is too soft to be appreciated at table. 



Mactra sidcataria Desh. — Baka-gai. 



The Japanese name 'Baka-gai' (foolish shell-fish) may have 

 originated from the fact that when it dies it not only opens its 

 mouth wide, but also lolls out its long red foot like a tongue as a 

 foolish fellow is apt to do. The foot is crooked and very elastic 

 like a finger. It hides itself in the sand, but some-times springs up 

 with its foot. 



In Japan it is found mostly in the eastern sea ; especially in 

 Tokyo Bay. Fukagawa, Tokyo-Fu, is noted as a place where it is 



