The Scallops. Comb Shells 



The Japanese Scallop (P. Japonicus, Lam.) exhibits the 

 pecuHarity of a smooth, polished exterior, and a series of strong 

 radiating ribs inside. There are fine concentric Hnes of dark 

 red spaced with hair Hnes of white on the fiat left valve which is 

 uppermost. The two gape below the small, dark ears. The 

 interior is white, with a soft lustre, and a rim of bright yellow. 

 Diameter, 4 to 5 inches. Japan. 



The Many-coloured Scallop (P. varius, Linn.) ought to 

 be mentioned for it is seen in many American cabinets and always 

 attracts attention. The arching valves are scored into twenty 

 to thirty sharp ridges, uniform and armed with prickly scales, 

 that sometimes broaden into horny plates. Colours and mark- 

 ings are indeed various, as the name implies. Reds of many 

 shades, clear yellows, rich orange and browns, and dull grays are 

 seen, each shell one-coloured, and obscurely mottled with white. 

 In a few specimens two or more colours are combined, but usually 

 not. Almost black specimens occur. The ears are very unequal, 

 the byssal notch large. This scallop retains through life the 

 habit of attaching itself at will. Its favourite station is a 

 branch of the seaweed Laminaria. Diameter, i to 2 inches. 



Habitat. — Mediterranean Sea to British Isles and Norway. 



The Purple-hinged Scallop (P. giganteus, Gray) begins 

 life as a free, symmetrical and very pretty little scallop, changes 

 its mind later, settles down, like the hunchback, to a hard life 

 that warps its growth and destroys all its beauty. De France 

 assigned it to a separate genus, Hinnites. But two Hving 

 species are known; one of them is ours. 



The adult shell is attached by its left valve, perhaps to the 

 inside of an old abalone shell. Its valves are oblong with fine, 

 irregular ribs beset with short thorns. The ears, always unequal, 

 extend in two-lobed, shapeless flaps from the beaks. The valves 

 attain surprising thickness; the sculpture becomes coarse and 

 the colour fades. Two things survive the wreck of time. The 

 oldest, most battered veteran the waves cast ashore shows still 

 unimpaired at its hinge the perfect little infant shell, with a dis- 

 tinct boundary set when the erratic life began. The second 

 striking character is the bright purple colour about the hinge 

 area inside. This spot appeared when the free life ended, and it 

 broadened and brightened as age increased. Length, 3 to 5 inches. 



Habitat. — Pacific coast. 



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