THE JINGLE SHELLS - FAMILY ANOMIIDAE. Shell thin, hyaline, flattened, usually warped, with a large, deep notch for the byssus in the under valve, near the hinge; byssus large, short, calcified, permanently fastening the mollusk to a rock fragment or a shell. Mantle open, except at hinge, border double, fringed; eyes wanting; gills four, large curved; foot dwarfed, finger-like, grooved; sexes distinct. A highly specialized family, with the organs displaced to accommodate the unique location of the byssus.
Genus ANOMIA, Linn.
Shells roundish, translucent, pearly lustre within the unequal valves ; upper valve convex, lower, concave. A small genus widely distributed. The species are hard to distinguish, as individual shells are modified in shape by the foreign bodies to which they become attached. Changes in shell characters are also due to increasing age and varying depths.
The Smooth Jingle Shell (A. glabra, Linn.) is one of the most familiar and abundant shells on the American beaches, east and south. The upper valve is the one that is washed ashore after the mollusk dies. Ask any shell-gatherer on the sands to show his hoard to you, and a fair proportion of the shells, espe cially if you accosted children, will be the dainty "golden shells," tinges from yellow to salmon pink, or the pale, lustrous "silver shells," like them except in colour. When you shake them, or run your hand down into a lapful of them, they clink musically, and though they look fragile, they do not break easily. New Jersey beaches have a bluish-black form, an inch in diameter.
The jingle shells when young settle upon some rough surface an oyster will do nicely, or the hollow side of an empty scallop. If there is n't room for all, they cheerfully pile themselves, one upon another, each firmly riveted to the one below by the limy 419 The Jingle Shells byssus. Oyster dredges often bring up masses of jingles alive, shells all ajar. A tap on one of the outer shells causes it to close tight. As if signalled, the next one follows suite, then the next, until in succession they all sense the danger, and are safely locked in.
Pretty lampshades are made by piercing the valves near the hinge and stringing them, then attaching the strands so as to fit over the outside of a plain glass or porcelain shade, whose brightness is pleasantly mellowed by the network of shells. Such an article is especially appropriate in a seaside cottage. Portieres of strings of shells are hung in doorways and draped over windows. To make so elaborate an affair takes tremendous energy, and robs the shore of treasure that belongs to all. The
results of such zeal are likely to be disappointing.
In the aquarium the living Anomia thrives and is a pretty and interesting tenant. The shell is never so exquisite as when alive. Length, 1 to 3 inches.
Habitat. Atlantic coast.
The Saddle Anomia (A: ephippium, Linn.) is so much like our species that it is by some authors considered identical. The type form has a rounded outline, slightly oblique, and irregu larly striated, sometimes scaly and yellowish white. So variable is it that no less than thirty specific names have been applied to forms now assembled under the name Linnxus gave. So con fused was the great man with this protean group that he called it Anomia, "nameless," as no descriptive designation would fit shells which mould their shapes to objects on which they grow. In France these are used as food. Diameter, 2 inches.
Habitat. Europe.
The Prickly Anomia (A. aculeata, Linn.) occurs with our eastern species, from which it is easily distinguished by its small size and the prickly scales on its upper valve. It is found attached to stones.
The Lamp Anomia (A. lampe, Gray) is smooth and thin and shining yellow, a saucer with an arched lid through which a wick protrudes. The resemblance to an ancient lamp thus struck Mr. Gray. Like its relative, it assumes various shapes, which earns it the name, "the lawless shell." Length, inch.
Habitat. Southern California.
The Port Essington Anomia (A. elyros, Gray) is the finest species in the genus. The valves are thick, opaque white, square 4.2o The Jingle Shells in outline, the upper valve tinged rusty, the lower greenish. A thick callus surrounds the byssal aperture inside. Diameter. 3 inches.
Habitat. Australia.
The Noble Anomia (A. nobilis, Rve.) wears obtuse scales on the distant ribs of the greenish white upper valve. The lower one is a rich turquoise blue. Length, 2 inches.
islands.
Genus PLACUNANOMIA, Desh.
The Western P. macrochisma, Desh., has a large, arched upper valve, rough, and irregularly ridged outside, brilliant, iri descent green inside. The flat under valve is far too small to meet the rim of the upper one. The byssal aperture is much larger than in Anomia. A muscle scar curiously rayed is visible through this hole. Though normally circular, the shell is very irregular in growth. The flesh is bright orange and very good eating. Diameter, 2 to 4 inches.
Habitat. Pacific coast of United States.