The Scallops. Comb Shells 



soon attaches itself for life, just as an oyster does. Inevitably 

 it chooses cramped quarters, the interior of a shell, or a narrow 

 cranny in a mass of coralline rock, where it becomes dwarfed 

 and distorted. The spiny scales may express its irritability of 

 temper. Diameter, 2 to 4 inches. 



Habitat. — Rocky coasts of Europe. 



The Noble Pecten (P. nobilis, Rve.) has a massive, strongly 

 ribbed shell, with equal, polished valves, almost circular in out- 

 line, and prominent, unequal ears. The flesh-tinted ground 

 colour is radiately banded or clouded with rose purple or saffron. 

 Diameter, 6 inches. 



Habitat. — Japan. 



The Knobbed Scallop (P. nodosus, Linn.) has blunt nodules 

 along the nine strong ribs; those near the ventral margin are 

 squamose folds — apparently knobs in an unfinished state. 

 The two valves are alike, flattened, and a uniform rich, dark 

 orange or red. The large ears are unequal. Diameter, 3 to 4 

 inches. 



Habitat. — West Indies, Mexico. 



The Nothern Scallop (P. hlandicus. Mull.) is a lover of 

 deep water along the coasts of the North Atlantic. It took its 

 name from Iceland, where it was first discovered. Its hand- 

 some, circular valves are scored with a multitude of fine, scaly, 

 ribs which persist on the inside of the shell. The left valve 

 arches over the right, and is banded with circles, alternately 

 dark and light. Purple, red, orange, salmon and bright pink 

 specimens are before me. The most beautiful one is white 

 with concentric bands of pink. The anterior ear is much 

 the larger. 



This species is rare in collections, even on its native coasts. 

 Storms that drive inshore with unusual force may throw a few 

 on the beach. Diameter, 3 inches. 



Habitat. — Europe, New England. 



The Magellan Scallop (P. Magellanicus, Gmel.) is thelargest 

 American species. Though found only in northern waters it 

 has been confused with a Patagonian species, and the name clings 

 The valves are circular and dissimilar, gaping in front of the large, 

 almost equal ears. The surface of the valves bears a great num- 

 ber of uniform radiating ridges, crossed and roughened by fine, 

 upturned scales. The left valve is rose-coloured, deepening 



415 



