—Edible portion:
| Water, | 78.57 | percent |
| Protein, | 14.86 | „ |
| Fat, | 1.78 | „ |
| Ash, | 2.49 | „ |
| Undetermined, | 2.30 | „ |
The liquid which escapes upon the opening of the shell is composed chiefly of water and salt and its composition is as follows:
| Water, | 96.02 | percent |
| Protein, | .65 | „ |
| Fat, | None | |
| Common salt, | 2.81 | „ |
| Undetermined, | .52 | „ |
The flesh of clams, it is seen, is not very different from that of fish in general. It is composed chiefly of water and of the nutrients the protein is the predominating constituent. The ash content is somewhat higher than is the case with fish.
If the flesh and fluid substance of the clam be considered together the composition of the whole mass is represented by the following data:
| Water, | 86.11 | percent |
| Protein, | 8.71 | „ |
| Fat, | 1.01 | „ |
| Ash, | 2.63 | „ |
| Undetermined, | 1.54 | „ |
Composition of Water-free Substance of the Flesh.—
| Protein, | 69.37 | percent |
| Fat, | 8.32 | „ |
| Ash, | 11.64 | „ |
| Undetermined, | 10.67 | „ |