Life Beneath the Waves. 61 



to be the eyes of the Pecten ; a double row 

 of white tentacles is to be seen on each 

 band, those attached to the lower, or inside 

 edge, being shorter and finer than those 

 at the top, close by the shell ; these feelers 

 are continually in motion, waving to and 

 fro in the most light and graceful manner. 



The Sea-butterfly fixes itself to rocks or 

 stones by means of a bunch of fine silky 

 threads which it has the power of spinning; 

 they issue from the top or hinge of the shell, 

 and are properly termed " Byssus." 



The common name of these beautiful 

 bivalves is " Scallops," or as it is properly 

 spelt "Escallops;" and to some people 

 they are known merely as an article of 

 food ; very large quantities are sold for this 

 purpose, and they are stewed, scalloped, 

 or curried, according to taste. The large 

 Pecten, with the seaweed attached, was 



