HALIOTIS EAR-SHELL. 117 



shores, varying considerably in colour and 

 shape : its roundish mouth and accidental resem- 

 blance of colour have occasioned some speci- 

 mens to be described as Turbines* 



Genus -HALIOTIS.* Plural Haliotides. 



SEA-EAR OR EAR-SHELL. 



Generic Character. Shell univalve, ear- 

 shaped, 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 collumellar 

 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 

 increase is marked by a new hole, and till the 



* Plate V, figure 2. 



j* Disk, a rounded surface, from the Latin, discus, a dish 

 or platter. 



