125 



CHAPTEE XX. 



TENACIOUS GRASP OP THE ' SEA-EAK,' HOLES IN THE SHELL. — OUTSIDE 

 PAINTING, INSIDE IRIDESCENCE. — ANIMAL GOOD FOR FOOD, BUT TOUGH. 



HAIiIOTID^, OR EAR-SHELLS. 



Haliotis tuherculata belongs to the splendid race of 

 molluscs whose shells bear so strong a resemblance to an 

 ear in their flattened form and inflected border. The ani- 

 mal has a very large^ oval, discoid foot, used as a sucker 

 when at rest, and maintaining him clinging with great te- 

 nacity to his chosen spot, which is generally on the under 

 surface of the stones. The body is beautifully fringed and 

 lobed, and variously tinted with brown, green, white, and 

 buff ; the head ends in a small lobe, and has a fringe between 

 the long slender tentacles ; at the end of a pair of short pe- 

 duncles the Haliotis carries blue eyes. In admiring a fe- 

 male specimen we might say — 



