Razor Shells

Habitat.-New England southward.

The California Sword Razor (E. Californicus, Dall) is a miniature of E. directus, delicate, slender, scarcely three inches long, and rosy-mottled on the cross lines, under the horny epidermis.

Habitat.-Monterey southward.

The Pod Razor (E. siliqua, Linn.) is the type. This is the "spout fish" of British coasts. It is curve but slightly and squared at both ends. The hinge at one corner has a single cardinal on the right valve fitting between two teeth on the left. The strong adductor muscles reinforce the hinge, else the valves would not be under control. Sand between mantle and shell cannot be expelled, so it is overlaid with nacre. This is the razor that snips off a portion of its foot when excited, the valves acting as scissors. Length, 6 to 8 inches.

Habitat-Europe.

Genus SOLECURTUS, Blainv. (TAGELUS, Gray)

Shell elongated, ventricose, smooth hinge sub-central; ends rounded, gaping; animal too large for its shell; foot thick; siphons separate; incurrent orifice fringed, excurrent plain; arc ventrical, cylindrical. Eleven species. Burrows below low water, deep in sand and mud.

The Short Razor (S. gibbus, Speng.) is a common mud burrower, south of Cape Cod, on the Atlantic coast. It has orange eye spots about the siphons to warn it of approaching harm. The exceeding length of its separated siphons, the tonguelike foot, and the yellowish epidermis, overhanging at the edges, distinguish this species. The burrow has two exits, one for each siphon. Length, 2 inches.

The Californian Short Razor (S. Californianus, Conr.) is abruptly rounded at each end. The shell has a dull epidermis, and a central hinge. Wild ducks and gulls have a great liking for this mollusk. They know where to find the colonies in the mud flats. Length, 3 to 4 inches.

Habitat.-Southern California.

Var. subteres, Conr., is more delicate throughout. Violet rays show under the olivaceous epidermis. This is found with the common form. Length, 2 to 3 inches.

Habitat.-Southern California.