THE MERMAID'S TEA SERVICE. 15 



edge of the shell. These are called tentacles, 

 and among them can be discerned tiny and 

 brilliant points which are shown by the lens to 

 shine like diamonds, each rimmed in a setting 

 of red. These are the eyes of the scallop, and 

 Divine thought has protected them by the over- 

 hanging shell rim as kindly and carefully as 

 human eyes are shielded. 



" We sometimes find the bright yellow eggs 

 of this little animal, looking not unlike the 

 roe of some fishes, but carefully deposited 

 among the ruffles of the interior. 



" The dainty dishes of your tea service are 

 not all Pectens, however ; here are limpets tinted 

 and polished above the most famous china. 

 FatellcB, or limpets, are found in many varie- 

 ties ; one upon the western coast of South Amer- 

 ica is a foot in diameter, and often serves as a 

 dish. Indeed the name Patella signifies a 

 dish. 



" One is called the ' cup-and-saucer limpet ' 

 because of the cuplike formation in the inte- 

 rior of the saucerlike shell. Another here 

 upon your tray is called the ' keyhole limpet ' 

 on account of the tiny aperture you see in the 

 apex of the shell. 



" Shells of this family have long been used 

 as ornaments as well as dishes. Necklaces 



