90 THE SOUTHERN TOP. 



ciilum is very peculiar; it is horny within, shelly 

 without, and strengthened by two heavy curved ribs. 

 The breadth of the shell is from two to four inches. 



Fig. 75- 



We have now come to the Abalone shells, as they 

 are called on this coast, though the name is a local 

 one. Off the coast of England, they are known as 

 " Ormers," while the translation of the true name 

 makes them "Sea-ears." Fig. 76 represents our 

 most beautiful species, Haliotis splendens^ Rve., Hal- 

 i-o'-tis splen'-dens. 



The shells of this genus are spiral, but are 

 extremely flattened, and the diminutive spire is almost 

 concealed at one end of the body-whorl, while the 

 oval aperture is nearly as long and broad as the shell 

 itself. 



Near one edge of the shell is a series of holes, 

 which serve as outlets for the water which has passed 

 over the animal's gills, together with any waste par- 

 ticles which may be thrown off from the various 

 organs. As the shell increases in size, some of these 



