222 



WEST COAST SHELLS 



different from such a stem as a willow possesses, with 

 pith and rings of minute tubes. 



Acmcsa paleacea^ Gld., the Chaffy Limpet, has a 

 very small shell resembling that of the last species, 

 but still narrower. It is brownish in color, without 

 stripes, and an average specimen is 7 mm. long. 

 Acrnaea triangularis^ Cpr., is probably a variety of 

 the same species. 



The largest limpet 

 found on our coast is the 

 one whose shell is shown 

 in Figure 216. Its name 

 is Lottia gigantea^ Gray, 

 and it is commonly 

 known as the Owl-shell. 

 On the outside it is usu- 

 ally rough, brown and 

 unsightly; but within it 

 is very dark and lustrous, 

 and it has a bluish-white 

 center marked with 

 brown. In many specimens the part within the big 

 muscle-scar greatly resembles a horned owl sitting 

 upon his perch. The shell is rather flat, and the 

 apex is near one end. The length of the shell is 

 sometimes as much as three inches, though commonly 

 it is much less. When properly polished, these shells 

 make very pretty bowls for ornamental spoons. 



Fig. 216 



