I7 2 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



Faroe Isles, Weinkauff from Algeria, Forbes from the 

 ^Egean, and McAndrew from Madeira ; and it is widely 

 distributed throughout the intervening seas. 



This pretty and well-known species was first described 

 by Lister. Mr. Norman says that quantities are dredged 

 in the Firth of Clyde, where they are called " clams," for 

 bait in the long line fishery. When cooked they have a 

 rich and agreeable, but peculiar flavour : they are not 

 much eaten in this country. According to Montagu, they 

 are called " frills" or " queens" on the South Devon coast. 

 The fishermen on the Dorset coast call them " squinns." 

 In the north of France this kind bears the name of 

 "vanneau" or "olivette." The shells make pretty pin- 

 cushion-cases, and in the North American States another 

 species (P. concentricus ) is used for the same purpose. 



The Rev. Dr. Landsborough has given the following 

 interesting account of their habits in an earlier stage of 

 growth . " We observed on a sunny September day, in a 

 pool of sea-water left on Stevenston strand (Ayrshire) by the 

 ebbing tide, what we at first thought some of the scaly 

 brood at play. On close investigation, however, we found 

 that it was the fry of Pecten opercularis skipping quite 

 nimbly through the pool. Their motion was rapid and 

 zigzag, very like that of ducks in a sunny blink, rejoicing 

 in the prospect of rain. They seemed, by the sudden 

 opening and closing of their valves, to have the power of 

 darting like an arrow through the water. One jerk carried 

 them some yards, and then by another sudden jerk they 

 were off in a moment on a different tack. We doubt not 

 that, when full-grown, they engage in similar amusements, 

 though, as Pectens of greater gravity, they choose to romp 

 unseen and play their gambols in the deep." 



