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Dunstan Times, Issue 3334, 16 August 1926, Page 7

Though sharks generally arc regarded fas constituting the greatest menace to pearl divers of the South Sea islands such is not always true. There is another monster of the sea which makes its home in oyster beds that causes more fatalities to divers than do sharks. This animal is the giant clam, those huge shellfish that frequently measure 14ft by Bft, and weigh half a ton. The serrated edges of these shells are sharp as razors. The clam rests on the bed of the reef, almost invisible, but for (be dark, irregular lino which marks the cruel, gaping lips poised ready to snap on the incautious foot- that treads upon them. One can battle with other monsters of the sea, but this terror is merciless. There is no escape from i(s death-grip. There is only one possibility of getting away with a severed leg, but sharks smelling the blood, ■soon would swarm in hundreds.