Haliotis. MOLLUSCA. -FissuKELUDAi. 345 
fonneil. The outer surface is in general very rough, 
wrinkled, or tubercular and dull. The species are 
numerous, upwards of seventy-five having been de- 
scribed, and are widely distributed, some being found 
in the Channel Islands, the Mediterranean, and the 
Canaries, while many others are found in India, China, 
the Cape of Good Hope, Australia, and New Zealand, 
the Pacific Ocean, on the coast of California, and as far 
north as Kamtschatka. They are remarkable for the 
beauty and diversified colours of the shells ; and from 
the splendidly iridescent nacre they possess, are much 
used for inlaying papier-machd and other ornamental 
works in which mother- of-peail is employed. Large 
quantities are brought to Birmingham for that purpose. 
Some of the species supply a by no means indifferent 
article of food. The common Ear-shell of the Channel 
Islands— the “ Ormer,” as it is there called {H. tuber- 
culata ) — is largely used at the seasons when it leaves 
deep water and comes to the rocks, laid bare at low 
tides. Great quantities are then taken ; and when well 
beaten to make them tender, and after that properly 
dressed, they afford an excellent dish, tasting like veal 
cutlets. As an old ladj^, however, a resident in Guern- 
sey, informed the writer — a good cook of Ormers is 
becoming scarce on the island ! The shell of the H. 
tuherculata, says Dr. Johnston, “ if we except the 
splendid iridescence of its interior, is sufficiently plain 
and vulgar ; but behold it borne along by the living 
tenant, its variegated garniture all displayed and ver- 
micular in the smooth and cr3'stal water, and it moves 
wonder and admiration!” — (See fig. annexed). At 
Monterey in California two large species of Ear-shell 
are very abundant, and are much sought after by the 
Indians as food ; they are found, we are told by Capt. 
Beechey, on the granite rocks forming the south-east 
part of the bay. The natives make use of the shells 
also for ornaments, and decorate their baskets with 
pieces of them. In Japan a species is in great request 
as an article of food. It is called the Awahi and 
Koempfer informs us “ that they lie deep under water, 
sticking fast to rocks or to the bottom of the sea, from 
whence they are taken up b^^ fishermen’s wives, thej' 
being the best divers in the country. They go down 
armed with darts or long knives, to defend themselves 
again.st kayes and porpesses ; and when they see an 
awabi they pull it off suddenly before the animal is 
aware, becairse otherwise it would fasten itself to the 
rocks or the bottom of the sea so strongly, that no force 
would be strong enough to tear it off. This shell is 
filled with a large piece of flesh of a yellowish or whitish 
Von. II. loo 
colour, and a very tough substance, though without 
fibres. They say it was the common food of their 
necessitous ancestors, in memory whereof, when they 
entertain compan}', they always provide a dish of it. 
It is also become a crrstom with them, as well among 
the vrrlgar as people of qualitj^, that when they send 
one another presents of monej', cloth, stuffs, fruits, or 
anything else, a string, or at least a small bit of the 
dried flesh of this shell, is sent along with them as a 
good omen, and in order to put them in mind of the 
indigence of their forefathers. The flesh is cut into thin 
slices or strings, which are extended on a board and 
dried.” The shell is also put to some use by these 
ingenious people. Thunberg tells us that in a jorrrney 
made through part of Japan, between Jeddo and Miako, 
he “ saw men or childi-en furnished with a kind of 
spoon, made with a shell known under the name of 
“ Oreille de Mer,” attached to a stick, with which thej’ 
collected the excrements of horses and other aitimals. 
These excrements,” he adds, “ moistened with a suffi- 
cient quantity of water, are then spread with great care 
upon the vegetables which are cultivated in the fields 
along the road.” This species has lately been brought 
to this country in great abundance. 
HALIOTIS IRIS. — A species found in New Zealand, 
of a very brilliant green iridescent hue when polished, 
affords the natives of that island a by no means con- 
temptible source of food. The shell is of considerable 
size, and the animal, when cooked, is said to taste like 
mutton ; hence it is commonly known by the name of 
Mutton-fish. 
Family — FISSURELLlDHil [Key-hole Limpets). 
The Key-hole Limpets have the margin of their 
mantle slit or fissured in front, the free 
edges forming a siphon which occupies 
the anterior notch or perforated apex 
of the shell. The shell is conical, limpet- 
shaped, with a recurved apex. It is either 
grooved or fissured at its anterior margin, 
or perforated at the apex. The aper- 
ture is wide, and not pearly within ; there is no operculum. 
The species are very numerous, and are generally littoral 
in their habits, and phjflophagous or vegetable feeders. 
Genus Parmophorus (— Scutus). — This genus 
has the shell grooved internall}' at its anterior margin. 
Fig, 225. 
Fissurella crassa. 
Genus Emarginui.a. — This genus has the .shell 
fissured in its anterior margin. 
Genus Fissurella.- — This genus has the apex per- 
