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CHAPTER IV
The Pandora shells—peculiarity of their appearance—origin of the name—structure of the shell, hinge, and animal—the basket, or Thracia—localities where it is found—the bean-basket—structure of the shell and the supplementary plate—the spoon-basket, or Cochlodesma—description of the shell—remarkable hinge—reason for its name—the razor-shells, and origin of their name—general structure of the shell and animal—the sabre razor—habits and locality of the shell—different methods of catching it—the pod razor-shell—why so called—the grooved razor-shell—how to distinguish the different species—the paper razor-shell; its fragility—structure of the animal and hinge—localities where it is found—the short razor-shell—peculiarly formed shell and hinge—the tellen shells—the sunset shell—origin of its name and its habitat—the blunt tellen; its form and colour—the porcelain tellen-beauty of the shell—the orange tellen; its shell and hinge—the convex tellen; its shape and hue—the abra-shells; their fragility and defence—the curious siphons—the furrow-shell—its variable form and colour—its habitation—method of obtaining perfect specimens—mud, its advantages and demerits—a proverb verified—mud-wading, and its discomforts—searching for specimens—a test of zeal—a narrow escape—detergent properties of the mud.
The pretty little shell, which is represented of its natural size on Plate II., fig. 3, is rightly severed from the Basket-shells, on account not only of its shape, but of the character of the shell. It is much flatter than the Basket-shells, although, like them, it has one valve longer and deeper than the other, and overlapping it at the edges. A glance at the shell will, however, detect one of the chief points of difference. The surface is shining and polished, and has a nacreous aspect, like that of the pearl oyster; this appearance being due to the manner in which the particles of the shell are arranged. On account of this peculiarity, the shells belonging to this genus are
