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BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
being larger and more nearly circular in outline. The young have the 
epidermis lighter in color — a light, yellowish horn-color. It is three 
and one-half to four inches long and nearly as high. 
It is never found living where it can be exposed even by the lowest 
tides, and hence, can be taken only by dredging or when cast up by the 
waves. It seems to prefer mud bottoms, and Gould says, — “ is most 
frequent near where some river empties into the ocean. v It does not 
live very deeply buried, as it is frequently cast up on beaches in great 
numbers by the waves after a storm. 
Economics. A useful and good food-mollusc, and fre- 
quently eaten along with Venus mercenaria , from which it is 
not usually distinguished except by large dealers. It is said 
by good judges to be of very good flavor. Willis says it is 
considered excellent food in Nova Scotia. The writer has 
seen, at Lynn Beach, Massachusetts, dozens of men collecting 
this species which had been cast up in great numbers after a 
heavy storm. Many of them were shelled upon the spot, while 
the rest were carted away to Lynn. They seemed to be highly 
esteemed by those who were taking them. We do not know 
whether or not they are ever cast up in numbers upon our 
own shores, but they are taken not infrequently in dredging. 
They are neither abundant enough nor easily enough obtained 
to make it pay to take them for market. We cannot find 
that they are ever sold by themselves in our towns. They 
are a food of Cod and perhaps other fishes. 
21. Mactra solidissima Chemnitz. 
Mactra, gigantea [of Willis]. 
Spisula solidissima Gray. 
Sea-clam, Giant-clam, Hen-clam, Beach-clam, Surf-clam. 
[Mactra, a kneading-trough; solidissima . very solid]. 
Distribution. (a) General; — Low-water mark to ten 
fathoms. Florida and Gulf of Mexico to Labrador. 
(b) In Acadia; — (in N. B.) Grand Manan, Stimpson . 
Bay of Fundy, low-water mark to ten fathoms, Verrill . 
IPassamaquoddy Bay, large and abundant, Ganong. Shediac, 
(Point du Chene, Whit eaves. (In N. S.) St. Mary’s Bay, very 
