Scallop S/iclls. 103 



Land^ as tho scene of our Saviour^s life and dcatli 

 was called. Sir Walter Ealeigli, in Ms poem called 

 '^ The Pilgrimage^^^ thus enumerates the different 

 articles considered necessary for a Palmer^ as these 

 pilgrims were termed : — 



*' Give me my scallop sJiell of quicfc, 

 My staff of faith to lean upon, 

 My scrip of joy (immortal diet), 



My hottle of salvation. 

 My gown of glory, hope's true gage. 

 And thus I'll make my pilgrimage." 



This mollusk, it may be noticed_, like many other 

 bivalves^ has a flat and a concave or hollov/ shell. 

 In early times^ when plates and drinking vessels 

 were not so plentiful as they are now_, one of these 

 served the former purpose^ and the other the latter. 

 Thus, in speaking of a feast, a Gaelic or Scottish 

 bard has said — 



" The joy of the shell went round." 



Sometimes the species termed Pecfen ojoercularis was- 

 used as the pilgrim's badge : the specific name comes 

 most likely from the Latin operculum, whose meaning- 

 has been explained. 



This, too, is a common British shell, as is also 

 the little speckled Scallop (P. varia), which may bo 



