HALIOTIS. EAR-SHELL. 119 



terminating 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 

 sunshine. 



