418 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



the abelone is eaten by the Chinese, who dry it into a sub- 

 stance resembling a colt's hoof in color, and hardness, and 

 shape. 



There are two cowries on the coast of California ; one shell 

 of the harp (harpa) genus, so called because ribs suggesting the 

 strings of a harp run down over its sides from its spiral crown ; 

 four species of the olive, (oliva) which resemble the fruit of the 

 same in size, shape, and color; one species of the voluta, (simi- 

 lar to the harp, but without its ribs) ; twelve species of the lim- 

 pet, and two species of the bivalve pilgrim shell, (pecten) used 

 sometimes by ladies for pincushions. All these contribute to 

 make the beaches in the southern part of the State attractive. 



We have no lobster, but a prawn, (Palinuris) very similar 

 to the lobster in size, color, flavor, habits, and general appear- 

 ance, except that it lacks the large claws. Crabs are abun- 

 dant. 



The shrimp (Crangon franciscorwri) is found in the bays of 

 California, and was very abundant a few years ago ; but lately 

 it is getting scarce, at least in San Francisco Bay. 



Coral grows off the coast at various points, as far north as 

 the Farallones ; and sponge is found from Santa Barbara south- 

 ward in small quantities. 



The climate is so dry in many parts of the State that land 

 *mollusks are comparatively rare, and some of the snails 

 adapt themselves to the circumstances by estivating, or re- 

 maining torpid in the hot dry months, as other animals hy- 

 bernate in very cold weather farther north. 



A sea-egg, (Echinus) sea-urchin, or sea-porcupine, as it is 

 variously called, has a shell nearly spherical in shape, and 

 about three inches in diameter, with spines three inches long 

 and an eighth of an inch in diameter. The flesh is palatable, 

 and the spines are sometimes used as slate-pencils. 



346. Ship-Worm. The ship-worm (Teredo navalis) is 

 probably not indigenous in the waters of California, but it 

 abounds in our bays, and does great damage. It is a worm 



