KALIOT1S-EAR-SHELL. 119 



minating in one spiral turn at the end, a little 

 produced ; this ridge is beset with tubercles which 

 increase in size as they recede from the apex ; 

 the last six are open ; when cleared of extraneous 

 matter with which it is constantly covered, the 

 outside is of a reddish brown colour frequently 

 mottled ; the inside is a beautiful mother of pearl. 

 The outer lip forms a flat ridge quite up to the 

 spire, and is pearly like the inside : the length is 

 from three to four inches, the breadth between 

 two and three. 



These shells inhabit the deep ; and they are 

 sometimes thrown upon our southern coasts after 

 violent storms. In Guernsey they are found in 

 great plenty adhering to the rocks at the lowest 

 ebb tide. The animal is eaten, and forms a very 

 savoury dish ; the shells are used to adorn the 

 houses of the common people, in the plaster on 

 the outside of which they are studded, and their 

 pearly iridescence glitters beautifully in the sun- 

 shine. 



Genus-PATELLA.* Plural, Patella. 



Generic Character. Shell univalve, without a 

 regular spire, dilated, conical, entire, concave 

 beneath in proportion as it is convex above, 



