42 WEST AMERICAN SHELES 
sembles this species very closely, but is thinner and 
flatter and has narrower ribs.’’ (Arnold.) Diam- 
eter, about two inches. 
We now come to a not- 
able species which differs 
from the typical Pectens 
in that the valves become 
unsymmetrical when they 
become old. It is called 
Pécten (Hinnites) gigan- 
mn 
i 
x o s i teus, Gray, the Purple- 
| ante [eae ey By, hinged Pecten. In_ its 
Ney y) early life it is a true little 
ee oe by fan-shell, with thin, fine- 
ad 
AAI 
ata 
ie 
ASR 
ribbed, unequally eared 
left valves, some white, 
some yellow, and some 
2 red, while the right valves 
: have about twelve serrated 
ribs and are apt to be mottled in color. When the 
shell is about an inch long a reddish purple spot be- 
gins to show along the hinge area, inside the valves... 
This spot increases with age, and never fades, 
though the shell may be sadly worn and broken. 
Fragments of shell on the beach show the color dis- 
tinetly. At the same time the little creature quits 
its free life and settles down in some quiet nook, 
like the inside of an old abalone shell. There it 
turns over on its left side and begins to grow, fast- 
ening itself firmly to the nook that it has chosen. 
And now, as it is confined, it loses its perfect 
symmetry and grows in whatever direction it has 
co 
LS 
SORES 
SESS 
Nees 
SS 
