OYSTERS AND SCALLOPS. 231 
which characterizes all the scallops. The deep 
valves of this shell are much used to contain 
scalloped oysters, and in fishermen’s huts for rude 
but useful lamps.” * 
GENUS OSTREA. 
The Oysters have a shell composed of two 
unequal valves, usually thick and irregular, con- 
nected by a hinge of the simplest character, with- 
out teeth. Externally the surface is rough, and 
composed of a great number of foliations loosely 
plaited, or marked with radiating furrows. ‘he 
lower valve is more or less hollowed, the upper 
one flat. 
The animal is shaped like the shell, having an 
open mantle with double edges, bordered by short 
fringes; the eyes, the tentacles, and the foot, are 
wanting. 
We have but one British species, the Oyster, 
par excellence (Ostrea edulis), but the abundance 
and renown of this species compensate for the 
absence of others. The British Oysters were held 
in the highest estimation by the ancient Romans, 
who were even at the expense of bringing them to 
Rome for their luxurious feasts.t ‘ Excellent as 
the oysters of Britain undoubtedly are, there are 
many degrees of that excellence, the animal vary- 
ing much both in size and flavour, according to 
the nature of the coast, and the food with which 
the locality is furnished. The oysters on the 
south coast are generally very well flavoured ; 
* Forbes and Hanley, ii. 298. 
+t Juvenal, Sat. iv. 140. 
