Page:The common shells of the sea-shore (IA commonshellsofse00wood 0).pdf/43

Rh dressed, are among the best molluscs that are brought to table.

The Sabre Razor can at once be distinguished by the shape of the shell, which is curved like the sabre still in use in some countries. These shells are very narrow, their length being eight times their width. The hinge is nearly at the extremity of the shell, and has a single slightly-grooved tooth on the right valve. This species is seldom taken in ground which is above low-water mark.

The Pod Razor derives its name from its resemblance to the pod of a bean. The shell is straight, the hinge nearly at the end, having two stout teeth in one valve, and a single axe-shaped tooth in the other, so placed as to pass between the two teeth of the opposite valve. The exterior of the shell is covered with a rather strong yellowish membrane, and the inside is beautifully white and polished, with a slight pearliness when viewed sideways.

Another species, the (Solen marginatus), is straight, like the preceding species, but can easily be distinguished by the peculiarity from which it derives its name, i.e., a groove which runs round the front end of the shell, and looking as if a string had been tied round it when soft. It has one tooth in each valve, fitting by the side of each other when the valves are closed. At page 25, fig. 8, is seen a figure of the end of the shell, showing the groove. In order that the reader may know the place where the teeth are situated, a sketch of the Pod Razor-shell is given at fig. 10, page 25, in which the two teeth are seen at the right-hand upper corner of the shell. The remarkably-shaped depression caused by the muscles which draw the valves together is also shown.

On Plate III., fig. 1, is shown an animal which was formerly classed with the true Razor-shells, but is now separated from them for several reasons. Its scientific name is Ceratisolen legumen; and on account of the