212 HALF AN HOUR WITH SHELL-FISH (BIVALVES). 



its numerous ribs, each of which has small spiny 

 projections. It is the latter species (P. opercularis) 

 which commonly goes by the name of the " Scallop." 

 This was the shell formerly used by pilgrims, who 

 stuck one in their hats as a 



rig. 115. 



sign they had been to the Holy 

 Land. It is easily known by 

 its two ears, and also by its 

 fewer, but broader ribs, eighteen 

 to twenty in number. The 

 " Scallops " attain their largest 

 size on our southern coasts, 

 where they are esteemed great 

 dainties when properly cooked. 



Pecten varius. rm i # 



Their mode of progression is 

 very peculiar, and is achieved by repeated snappings 

 or shuttings of the two valves together ; the water 

 thus suddenly expelled projecting the bivalve in 

 the opposite direction. All of them are very tena- 

 cious of life, and some strange stories are told of 

 the way in which they cling to it. There can be 

 little doubt this species is one of the handsomest, 

 if not the handsomest, of our British bivalves. 

 Mr. Gosse, in speaking of it, says : " It is a very 

 pretty sight to see a healthy Pecten in a vessel 

 of clear sea-water. The elegant valves are opened 

 to a considerable width, perhaps to half an inch 

 or more, and the entire aperture all round is 

 filled by a curtain, which drops from one to the 

 other, perpendicularly, a little way within the 



