The Moon Shells and Velvet Shells 



L. rhombica, Dall, white, and found in the same locaHty, 

 is larger, has a squarish aperture; the reflexed mantle does not 

 cover the shell. 



L. pellucida, Verrill, with a delicate transparent ovate shell, 

 containing a yellowish brown animal, has been dredged from 

 deep water off Martha's Vineyard. Length, about ^ inch. 



The Lamellariae come from deep water in February to spawn 

 in the shallows. Their food consists of polyzoans. When about 

 to lay her eggs a female eats a hole in a jelly-like compound 

 ascidian, and in this makes a nest like a deep pot, lays the eggs 

 in it, and covers them with a tight lid. As the young develop 

 the nest rises above the level of the surface in which it was buried. 

 The lid flies open at the proper time, and the fry emerge. 



THE VELVET SHELLS 

 Genus VELUTINA, Flim. 



Shell thin, ear-shaped, mostly external, calcareous, fragile, 

 covered with a velvety or powdery epidermis; aperture large, 

 round, without operculum; foot large, oblong. Marine, living 

 among stones near low tide, or out at sea. 



The Velvet Shell (^. Icevigata, Pennant), found northward 

 from Cape G^d, is a transparent pinkish shell with a horny brown 

 epidermis, velvety along the minute revolving striae. It is about 

 h inch in length. The same species occurs from California north- 

 ward. At Vancouver Island it is about the size of a pea. The 

 velvet and the epidermis are easily removed, after which the shell 

 falls to pieces. 



This delicate creature is able to exude a frothy white slime 

 in considerable quantity. It is doubtless protective, serving 

 to conceal the mollusk from enemies. 



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