THE MERMAID’S TEA SERVICE. 15 
edge of the shell. These are called tentacles, 
and among them can be discerned tiny and 
brilliant points which are shown by the lens to 
shine like diamonds, each rimmed in a setting 
of red. These are the eyes of the scallop, and 
Divine thought has protected them by the over- 
hanging shell rim as kindly and carefully as 
human eyes are shielded. 
“ We sometimes find the bright yellow eggs 
of this little animal, looking not unlike the 
roe of some fishes, but carefully deposited 
among the ruffles of the interior. 
“The dainty dishes of your tea service are 
not all Pectens, however; here are limpets tinted 
and polished above the most famous china. 
Patelle, or limpets, are found in many varie- 
ties ; one upon the western coast of South Amer- 
ica is a foot in diameter, and often serves as a 
dish. Indeed the name Patella signifies a 
dish. 
“One is called the ‘cup-and-saucer limpet’ 
because of the cuplike formation in the inte- 
rior’ of the saucerlike shell. Another here 
upon your tray is called the ‘keyhole limpet’ 
on account of the tiny aperture you see in the 
apex of the shell. 
“Shells of this family have long been used 
as ornaments as well as dishes. Necklaces 
