Oysters and Scallops 



89 



The Fragile File-shell {Jj. loscomhii) differs from 

 the preceding in the fact that the valves of the 

 shell are not equal sided. The ribs number 

 from 40 to 60, and are very fine and 

 sharp. The upper side of the shell gapes 

 slightly. The animal is coloured bright 

 orano'e, and the tentacles of the same hue 

 curling back over the white shell present a 

 striking contrast. It is generally distributed where 

 there is mud or gravel between 5 and 100 fathoms. 

 It is one of the species that weave nests, though not 

 invariably. If the bottom is soft it sinks chambers 

 in it, but where the ground is hard some protection is 

 needed against members of the Cod-family who have 

 a weakness for Lima-flesh ; then it spins a nest, and 

 decorates the exterior with shells or fraofments of 

 shell of other mollusks and of crustaceans. 



The Gaping File-shell (L. hians), our largest 

 species, is more solid and less glossy than the others ; 

 its ribs stronger and rougher. The triangular ears 

 are unequal, and the pure white colour which distin- 

 guishes it in early life afterwards becomes more or less 

 discoloured. The valves gape along 

 the front margin, and discover the 

 red animal. The orange mantle is 

 fringed with a thousand or more 

 filaments which, curling over the shell, 

 are in constant movement. Like the 

 tentacles of the anemones, these have 

 the power of taking hold ; and by 

 placing one's finger among this living 

 fringe the Lima may be drawn to a considerable 

 distance. It affects harder ground than its con- 



Gaping Fil 



