The Scallops. Comb Shells 



/ knighthood growing out of the Holy Wars incorporated the "St. 



James scallop" in their ensigns. Proud old families commem- 

 orated by the same symbol in their armorial bearings the deeds 

 done by their ancestors against the Saracen hosts. Until the 

 Age of Chivalry is forgotten the scallop will be remembered as 

 its emblem. 



Its graceful lines have always appealed strongly to the artis- 

 tic sense of various peoples. It has an envied place with the 

 acanthus leaf and certain other natural objects in the develop- 

 ment of historic ornament. 



The upper valve of P. Jacohceus is flattened and strongly 

 fluted, with a saucer-like excavation near the beak. The right 

 valve is deeply convex, with squarish, radiating ribs, each bear- 

 ing four incised ridges. Across the ridges run close, elevated 

 striations, roughening the entire surface. The ears are promi- 

 nent and nearly equal. The flat valve is dark red, variously 

 mottled ; the dipper is almost colourless. Diameter, 3 to 5 inches. 



Habitat. — Mediterranean. 



The Great Scallop (P. maximus, Linn.) sometimes called 

 "the great clam," strongly resembles the pilgrim scallop in form 

 and sculpture. Often the upper valve sinks into the lower, as 

 if a size or two too small. It is dark red, brownish in the grooves, 

 fading toward the beak. The under valve is pink. The mantle 

 is fawn-coloured ; the body bright orange. This edible species 

 is brought from banks off the Irish coast to the London market. 

 The shells are sold for "scalloping" oysters. Diameter, 4 to 5 

 inches. 



Habitat. — Northern coasts of Europe. 



The Quin or Queen Scallop {P. opercularis, Linn.) is a thin- 

 shelled species, with rounded ridges equal to the grooves between 

 them. The colours range from brown to yellow, and through all 

 shades of purple and rose, sometimes plain, oftener mottled and 

 variegated. 



This is the little scallop of the English markets, taken from 

 dense banks, which shift, owing to the persistence of the "fly- 

 ing" habit. Quantities are taken up by oyster dredges, and sold 

 at a few pence per hundred. Diameter, 2 to 3 inches. 



Habitat. — European coasts. 



The Hunchback Scallop (P. pusio, Linn.) is the ill-fated 

 member of the family. It is a pretty, symmetrical infant, but 



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