THE BLACK ABALONE. 



93 



children. Shell of blessed memories ! I would love 

 to see it again. 



The outer layer of the shell projects over the 

 pearly inner layer, and makes the fine red edge so 

 much prized in perfect specimens. The back is 

 somewhat roughened, and is overgrown with vegeta- 

 tion. The holes are large, usually three in number, 

 and the muscle impression is prominent. The shell 

 sometimes grows to a length of nine inches. 



All parts of this mollusk are valuable. The 

 Chinese dry the meat and use it for food ; and it 

 must be confessed that the muscular foot makes a 

 most delicious soup. The shells are largely exported 

 to Europe, and are made into buttons, and used for 

 various kinds of inlaid work. The persistent war- 

 fare waged against this species by the Chinese 

 gatherers has greatly reduced their numbers ; but a 

 temporary turn of fashion has caused the dealers to 

 call for fewer shells, and it is to be hoped that they 

 will be allowed to increase once more. 



The Black Abalone, Haiiotis Cracherodii^ Leach., 

 Crach-e-ro'-di-i, is shown in Fig. 78. 



