[Illustration: Razor Clam] Razor Clam (_Ensis directus_) Elongated brown shell The Razor has a very large foot, with which it can often dig faster than the hand trying to discover it. Although delicious, the Razor Clam is seldom seen on the markets because it is so difficult to capture. [Illustration: Snails] Snails (Littorinidae, Thiasidae, and Naticidae) Clams in a coiled shell Several species are found at Crane’s Beach: Periwinkles (_Littorina_): These have a wrinkled shell about the size of a thumbnail. Because they are able to withstand long periods without water, Periwinkles are often found high on a beach. Rock Purple (_Thais lapillus_): Has a rough, white shell coming to a point at the top. This snail secretes a purplish dye that was used by the American Indians and the ancient Phoenicians to produce their “royal purple” dyes. Moon Snail (_Polinices heros_): Large white shell with almost round shape. The Moon Snail lays its eggs in a sand “collar,” which is frequently discovered on the beach in its dry state. [Illustration: Slipper Shell] Slipper Shell (_Crepidula fornicata_) Shell is boat-shaped Tiny “seat” inside shell This animal protects its bare underside by attaching itself to a handy rock with its suction-cup foot. Often there are enough of them to give the rock a warted appearance. _The Spiny-skinned Animals_ (_Echinoderms_) [Illustration: Starfishes] Starfishes (_Asterias vulgaris_, and others) Five-armed body The Starfish seems to like Oysters as well as we do, and it opens them by sheer strength. Oystermen used to tear Starfish apart to destroy them, until they discovered that each arm has the ability to regenerate and become a whole starfish! [Illustration: Sea Urchin] Sea Urchin (_Strongylocentrotus droehbachiensis_) Round body Covered with spines Here is a creature with a scientific name much too long for its size. Indeed, the name is said to be the longest in animal nomenclature. The Sea Urchin is a living fossil with four times as many extinct cousins as living ones. [Illustration: Sand Dollar] Sand Dollar (_Echinarachnius parma_) Silver-dollar size and shape Raised, star-shaped pattern on back This is an animal of deeper water and so the bather seldom sees a live, heavily spined specimen. We find the dry, spineless shells on the beach. Wrap them carefully if you wish to take them home, because they are most fragile. _The Fishes_ The waters off Crane’s Beach abound with many dramatic fishes such as Cod, Mackerel, Flounder, and Sand Sharks; but we are concerned only with the common tidal fishes that are regularly washed onto the shore. [Illustration: Pipefish] Pipefish (_Syngnathus fuscus_) Lead-pencil size and shape Hard, bony plates cover body