THE SBELL-FISH OF THE COAST. 49 



good reasons, the function of oyes has been ascribed. 

 Possibly, however, they may be only phosphorescent 

 or illaminating organs, without in themselves being 

 capable of receiving images. 



ScALLOF iJPectai imuUoM}. 



The scallop of the JTew Jersey coast is the 

 Pecten vrradians, a shell measuring some three 

 inches each way, and crossed by about twenty 

 elevated ribs. On account of its varied and beau- 

 tiful coloring, ran^ng from white through shades 

 of orange, brown, red, and purple, it is eagerly 

 sought after for mantel-ornamentation, the making of 

 card-holdera, pincushions, etc. A much larger and 

 more northerly species [Pecten MageUcmkus), which 

 is almost entirely wanting ou the sands, has been 

 dredged in abundance in Raritan Bay and else- 

 d 



