STRUCTURE OF THE SCALLOP. 467 



Palestine, and thereupon, their arms they always 

 charged therewith *." 



It is, however, rather with the internal ceconomy 

 of these bivalve races, than with their external deco- 

 rations, that we wish at present to occupy the atten- 

 tion of our readers, and therefore claim indulgence 

 for a brief period, while we endeavour to illustrate 

 the principal features of their organization. 



On separating the two valves (PL VIII. fig. 9, a), 

 we at once perceive that each of them is lined with 

 a thin and transparent membrane, which, like the 

 shells, encloses the body of the mollusk, in the same 

 way that the leaves of a book are contained between 

 its covers. These lining membranes of the shell con- 

 stitute the mantle, the circumference of which is in 



* The scallop-shell appears to have legitimately belonged 

 only to pilgrims to the celebrated shrine of St. James at 

 Compostella in Spain, as may be gleaned from, the following 

 legend : 



The ship in which the body of St. James was conveyed to 

 its last resting-place happening to draw near the coast during 

 the performance of certain nuptial festivities, the bridegroom's 

 horse becoming ungovernable, plunged into the sea, and, toge- 

 ther with its rider, sunk; but at the moment the ship was pass- 

 ing by, rose again, close along-side of it. There were several 

 miracles in this case. The first was, that the sea bore upon its 

 waves the horse and horseman as if it had been firm land, after 

 not having drowned them when they were so long under water. 

 The second was, that the wind, which was driving the ship at 

 full speed into port, suddenly fell, and left it motionless ; while 

 the third, and most remarkable, was, that both the garments of 

 the knight and the trappings of his horse came out of the sea 

 covered with scallop-shells, which were afterwards enjoined to 

 be worn in commemoration of the event. 



