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392 American Seashells
Genus Chmna Linne 1758
Chama vmcerophylla Gmelin Leafy Jewel Box
North Carolina to southeast Florida and the West Indies.
Plate 37b-, figure 79b
This is the most common and most brightly hued Atlantic species. In
quiet waters it may develop spine-like foliations to such an extent that it
resembles the Spiny Oyster, Spondylus. Exterior variously colored: lemon-
yellow, reddish brown, deep- to dull-purple, orange, white, or a combination
of these colors. Inner edges of the valves have tiny, axial ridges or crenula-
tions. The scale-like fronds have minute radial lines. Compare with sinuosa.
Figure 79, Atlantic Chamas. Diagrammatic drawings of the deep valves, showing
direction of growth and the juncture of the pallial line and muscle scars, a, Chmiia
sinuosa Broderip; b, Chama inacerophylla Gmelin; c, Fseiidochama radians
Lamarck.
Chama congregata Conrad Little Corrugated Jewel Box
North Carolina to Florida and the West Indies.
Plate 37d
Rarely over i inch in size. This species closely resembles the common
J77acerophylla, but in place of numerous foliations there are low axial corru-
gations or wavy cords. The unattached valve may have a few short, flat
spines. There are fine crenulations on the inner margins of the valves. The
color is usually dull with darker specklings. In rocky areas they live in crev-
ices and under stones. Commonly found attached to pen and ark shells.
Chama sinuosa Broderip White Smooth-edged Jewel Box
South half of Florida and the West Indies.
Figure 79a
I to 3 inches in size. The color is always whitish, although the interior
may be stained with dull-green. There are no crenulations on the inner edges