There are many species belonging to this genus differing considerably in
form and appearance. Its name is derived from a Greek word signifying a
pipe or tube. It is a bivalve whose breadth sometimes exceeds its
length; some species have a resemblance to the sheath of a razor or a
knife handle; others are curved like the scabbard of a cimeter.
The Solen is found in the sand of the seashore, which it sometimes
penetrates to the depth of one or two feet. Most of the species are
covered with an epidermis, which renders their colours more or less
obscure. In general they present but little beauty, though some are of a
bright pink colour, and some are beautifully and delicately radiated
with purple and white.
The principal characteristic of this genus is the hinge, which generally
has one subulate tooth, though sometimes two or three.
Shell equivalve, extremely inequilateral, transversely elongated, open
at both ends; the apices very small, and entirely at the commencement of
the dorsal line; one or two teeth in the hinge; ligament external; two
distant muscular impressions; the anterior one very long and narrow, the
posterior one sub-angular.
Solen vagina
S. corneus.
S. ensis.
S. pygmæus.
S. ambiguus.
S. Dombeii.
S. Javanicus.
S. Caribæus.
S. antiquatus.
S. vaginoides.
S. siliqua.
S. cultellus.
S. planus.
S. minutus.
S. constrictus.
S. coarctatus.
S. rostratus.
S. violaceus.
_S. vagina._ The Razor Sheath. Pl. 31, fig. 5.
Valves equal, truncated at both ends; straight or slightly curved;
summit terminal.
_S. cultellus._ The kidney-shaped Solen.
Species a little curved lengthwise; summit not terminal.
_S. rostratus._ The violet-beaked Solen.
Species with longer and narrower valves, flatter at the extremities;
callosity at the hinge very visible; cardinal teeth or hinge nearer the
middle than the anterior side.
_S. ensis._ The Sabre Solen.
Species linear, sabre-shaped; a single compressed tooth in each valve;
olive brown at the base, and of a purple hue near the apex.
_S. siliqua._ The podlike Solen.
Species linear, straight; two teeth in one valve and one in the other;
covered with a glossy brown epidermis; striated transversely.
_S. antiquatus._ The Antiquated Solen.
Species thin, white, and almost transparent; striated concentrically;
ends rounded; hinge near the centre; a tooth in one valve locking into
two in the other; the teeth erect and projecting beyond the margin;
covered with a dark-coloured epidermis.