CHAPTER XII 
PIERCED SHELLS AND CHITONS 
We have now come to the largest and finest shells 
on the coast. They are locally known as abalone 
shells, while the translation of the scientific name 
makes them ‘‘Sea-ears.’’ 
Figure 286 represents our most beautiful spe- 
cies, Haliotis fulgens, Phil., the Green Abalone, 
(H. splendens). The shells of this genus are 
spiral, but extremely flattened, and the diminu- 
tive 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 
