12 



SHELL GALLERY. 



Cases 

 9-11. 



Cases 

 12-18. 



been described. The specimens of P. adansoniana and P. teyriclii 

 exhibited in case 9, are among the finest acquisitions to the shell 

 collection of recent years. 



The " Ear-shells " or " Ormers " {Haliotidce) are found adhering 

 to rocks in most parts of the world, with the exception of South 

 America. They are lined with pearl, and many exhibit splendid 

 colours and sculpture externally. Like the Limpets they hold on 

 to the rocks with such tenacity that it is absolutely impossible to 

 remove some of the larger species by force without injuring the 

 shell. Boiling water or mustard and water poured over them will, 

 however, soon compel them to relinquish their hold. The shell of 

 Haliotis is pierced by a series of holes parallel with the left margin. 

 Through such of them as are open the animal protrudes a slender 

 filament or feeler, and the water also finds its way through them 

 to the gills beneath. 



The Single British species {H. tuberculatd) is not actually found 

 on the English coast, but is common on rocks and stones at low-water 

 in the Channel Islands. It is frequently eaten by the poor of those 

 islands and the north of France ; other species in New Zealand, 

 China, Japan, West Africa, and elsewhere, constitute a common 

 article of diet among the natives. Haliotis-%hQVL^ are largely used in 

 the manufacture of pearl ornaments, and in all kinds of inlaid work. 



The Trochidce, and TurhinidcB are two extensive families, the 

 animals of which are very much alike, and mainly distinguished by 



Fig. 6. 



Top-sliell (Turho ])etholatus). (From the Indo-Pacific Oceau.) 

 a. Inuer surface of operculum, h. Exterior of ditto. 



the operculum, which in the former is horny, and shelly in the 

 latter. The shells of these families are beautifully pearly within, 



