( 37 ) 

 CHAP. XVL 



BIVALVES: 

 OSTREA ; Oyster, Scallop, or Pectert. 



Q, BY what peculiarities is the Ostrea dis- 

 tinguished ? 



A. The shell is generally equivalve, somewhat 

 eared. Hinge 'without teeth. Having a hollow 

 cavity or sinus, and in many instances lateral 

 transverse grooves or furrows. 



Q. Are not the shells generally uninteresting ? 



A. By no means. The O. malleus resembles 

 a hammer, and the O. folium, or Tree Oyster, 

 presents the aspect of a withered leaf, and thus 

 eludes the vigilance of birds of prey, as it gene- 

 rally adheres to the roots and branches of trees. 

 In point of colour some of them are very beau- 

 tiful. Those of the Red Sea present tlie tints 

 of thqjteinbow. '/""" 



Q. I should imagine, from the general appear- 

 ance of the Oyster, that its animal inhabitant 

 ranked very little higher than a vegetable in the 

 scale of creation. 



A. Such was formerly supposed to be the 



