Coelomactra antiquata; antique mactra

Japanese: アリソガイ（英語表記）Coelomactra antiquata; antique mactra

Bivalve mollusks, family Bivalvia. A large species, with a shell length of 11.5 cm, height of 9.5 cm, and width of 5.5 cm. The triangular shell is well bulged at the apex, thin and brittle. The apex is bluish purple, and the shell skin is thin and brownish, clearly visible along the growth veins. The inside of the shell is also bluish purple, and the teeth for interlocking have a large belt holder under the apex. The foot of the mollusc is white. It is edible. It is found on the Boso Peninsula on the Pacific coast, south of the Oga Peninsula on the Sea of Japan coast, and on the Chinese mainland, living on fine sandy bottoms in shallow seas. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty ate it, admired its deliciousness, and named it Xishisha (Xishisha) after the beautiful woman who seduced the country.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

軟体動物門二枚貝綱バカガイ科。殻長 11.5cm，殻高 9.5cm，殻幅 5.5cmに達する大型種。殻は三角形状で殻頂部がよくふくらみ，薄質でもろい。殻頂部は帯青紫色，殻皮は薄く帯褐色で成長脈に沿って明らかである。殻内面も青紫色を帯び，噛み合せの歯は殻頂の下に大きい弾帯受けがある。軟体の足は白色。食用となる。太平洋側は房総半島，日本海側は男鹿半島以南，また中国大陸に分布し，浅海の細砂底にすむ。唐の玄宗皇帝がこれを食し，その美味を賞し傾国の美女にあやかって西施舌 (シーシーシャ) と名づけた。

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