HALIOTIS EAR-SHELL. 1 17 



its roundish mouth and accidental resemblance of 

 colour have occasioned some specimens to be 

 described as Turbines. 



Genus HALIOTIS.* Plural, ffaliotides. 



SEA -EAR OR BAR- SHELL. 



Generic Character. Shell univalve, earshaped, 

 open ; spire flat, lateral, retuse, nearly concealed ; 

 aperture almost as large as the shell ; the disk,f 

 excepting in one or two species, has a series of 

 perforations parallel to the columellar margin. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE SHELL AND ITS 

 INHABITANT. 



The ear-like shape, the flattened spire and the 

 row of perforations on the disk readily distinguish 

 this genus from every other. The outside of the 

 shell is generally rough, worn or covered with 

 marine substances. The inside is enamelled with 

 mother-of-pearl, exhibiting a beautiful iridescent 

 play of colours. Each period of the shell's in- 

 crease is marked by a new hole, and till the final 



* Plate V. figure 2. 



f Disk, a rounded surface, from the Latin, discus, a dish 

 or platter. 



