256 



WEST COAST SHELLS 



Chcztopleura gc/fu/ica^ Cpr., the Gem Chiton, is 

 tound at Monterey. The shell is oblong, elevated, 

 red, olive-ashen, or yellow. The girdle is narrow, 

 leathery, sparsely clothed with short hairs that are 

 easily rubbed off, and the valves are not smooth. It 

 is a little creature, having a length of 16 millimeters. 



Ischnochiton magdalenensis^ 

 Hds., the Gra}^ Chiton, is shown 

 in Figure 253. This large and 

 very common species may be 

 found under rocks at low tide, 

 and it can at once be recognized 

 by its worn or roughly sculp- 

 tured, low-arched valves, which 

 are whitish internally, and gray 

 or somewhat tinted externally. 

 The mantle border is darker and 

 is covered with minute, solid 

 scales. The foot of the animal 

 is yellow. When taken from the 



Fig. 253 1-1 11- r T 



rock It has a habit or curlmg up 

 into a ball. The figure represents a good-sized 

 specimen. 



Ischnocluton conspicuus^ Cpr., the Conspicuous 

 Chiton, resembles the last species, but is larger, more 

 richly colored, with pinkish valves; while the man- 

 tle is densely beset with short bristles, giving it a 

 velvety appearance. The length of this southern 

 species is sometimes over 90 millimeters. 



IsclinocJnton mertensii^ Midd., the Red Chiton, 

 has an oval, elevated shell, with angular dorsal 

 ridges and straight side slopes. The color is red, 



