THE NAUTILUS. 131 



their firm hold upon the surface of the rock and began to move 

 around in search of food. It is evident that this species is very 

 prolific, and though large specimens are not so common as formerly, 

 there seems to be no danger that the species will soon become ex- 

 tinct. 



The next species is the red abalone, H. rufescens Swainson. This 

 animal has a much larger shell than the last, some of them reaching 

 the length of nine or ten inches, possibly more. They were for- 

 merly very common about Pacific Grove, but they have been so 

 persistently collected that adult specimens are rarely found. They 

 live at a somewhat lower level than their black brothers, and are 

 not often seen on the rocks above the water, even at low tide. The 

 Chinese fishermen cruise around in their boats at such times armed 

 with a hook on the arm of a long pole, with which they secure the 

 coveted prize. The large shells are mostly collected from the more 

 unsettled parts of the coast, and there is danger that the supply will 

 soon become seriously diminished. La^t summer I saw a two-horse 

 wagon loaded with these shells, which had been drawn up to Pacific 

 Grove from a point some thirty miles down the coast. 



The third species, named from its beautiful internal color the 

 " green abaloue," has generally been known to scientific circles as 

 Haliotis splendens. It was given ihat very appropriate name by 

 Reeve in 1846, but it has been found that in 1845 it was named by 

 Philippi H. fulgeiis, and so the latter name must stand. This 

 beautiful shell abounds in southern waters, but as I have never bad 

 an opportunity to study its habitat, I cannot report upon its pros- 

 pective decrease. The only live one I ever saw was an aged speci- 

 men which was found upon the rocks near Cypress Point. Monterey 

 Bay seems to mark its extreme northern location, and even then I 

 have never found a specimen in the Indian shell-heaps, though 

 rujeacens and Crcu-kerodii are found by the thousands in all stages 

 of decomposition. 



H. corrugata Gray, does not come so far north as the last species. 

 A fine specimen before me from San Pedro, Cal., measures 6* in. in 

 length, 5 in breadth, and 21 in convexity. The shell has strong 

 ridges upon its back, and there are four large open holes. I have 

 never seen a living specimen, and know very little concerning its 

 habits. 



H. assimilis Dall, is now considered to be a distinct species. The 

 Manual reports it from " Monterey to San Diego in deep water." A 



