250 



POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



equivalve, lengthened, gaping at both ends ; the hinge is 

 formed by teeth and an outer ligament. — Marine. 



Solen. Lin. — Shell generally very long, straight, or 

 r 



Solen siliqua. 



arched, open at both ends, and equivalve ; teeth small, and 

 varying in number, with a lateral fulcrum in each valve ; 

 ligament external, elongated ; bosses small. Animal very 

 narrow, more or less cylindrical or compressed; mantle 

 united at the borders, except anteriorly where it opens for 

 the passage of a large, long, thick, oblique, truncated foot ; 

 siphons short, united, their orifices fimbriated; branchiae 

 prolonged into the inferior siphon ; labial palpi long, 

 narrow, and triangular. * — 30 species ; also fossil. 



The shells of S. siliqua and marginatus, common on the 

 British coast, often attain the length of from four to ten 

 inches ; particularly those found near Belfast : the animals 

 have a very muscular foot enabling them to bury them- 

 selves in the sand, in which they form holes perpendicular 

 to the surface, occasionally to the depth of a couple of feet, 

 and which they ascend and descend as occasion requires ; 

 they are sometimes used as food; but in places where 

 they abound, they are sought after as bait for fish, and 

 are captured in a singular manner. The retreat of the 

 creature having been observed, the fisherman throws into 

 the entrance a small quantity of salt, which quickly causes 

 it to make its appearance, that substance in its pure state 

 appearing to have a very irritating effect upon the animal, 

 although an inhabitant of salt water ; as soon as it is 



* Forbes's British Moll. 



