Razor-fish, or RAZOR-SHELL (Solen), a genus of bivalves of which the common British species S. siliqua and S. ensis are familiar examples. The shell is remarkably elongated, and gaps at both ends, the siphons are short, the foot is large and powerful. The species are numerous, and inhabit the sands of all seas except in the coldest parts of the world. Some of the tropical species have shells of great beauty. The solens burrow in sand, making vertical holes 2 or 3 feet in depth, and ascending and descending by means of their foot, which is capable of being elongated and contracted to bore a passage for the animal, and to drag it through. They are used for food, and also by fishermen for bait. To obtain them, a hooked iron implement is used. Another method is to drop a quantity of salt on the mouth of the hole, which causes them to come up, when they are quickly seized.