Scallops — Part 3

Habitat.--California.

The Broad-eared Scallop (P. lati-auratus, Conr.) has unequal ears almost as broad as the fragile, oblique, fluted shell. The brown or orange surface is crossed by zigzag streaks of white. Diameter, 1 inch. Southern California.

The Japanese Scallop (P. Japonicus, Lam.) exhibits the peculiarity of a smooth, polished exterior, and a series of strong radiating ribs inside. There are fine concentric lines of dark red spaced with hair lines of white on the flat left valve which is uppermost. The two gape below the small, dark ears. The interior is white, with a soft lustre, and a rim of bright yellow. Diameter, 4 to 5 inches. Japan.

The Many-coloured Scallop (P. varius, Linn.) ought to be mentioned for it is seen in many American cabinets and always attracts attention. The arching valves are scored into twenty to thirty sharp ridges, uniform and armed with prickly scales, that sometimes broaden into horny plates. Colours and markings are indeed various, as the name implies. Reds of many shades, clear yellows, rich orange and browns, and dull grays are seen, each shell one-coloured, and obscurely mottled with white. In a few specimens two or more colours are combined, but usually not. Almost black specimens occur. The ears are very unequal, the byssal notch large. This scallop retains through life the habit of attaching itself at will. Its favourite station is a branch of the seaweed Laminaria. Diameter, 1 to 2 inches.

Habitat.--Mediterranean Sea to British Isles and Norway.

The Purple-hinged Scallop (P. giganteus, Gray) begins life as a free, symmetrical and very pretty little scallop, changes its mind later, settles down, like the hunchback, to a hard life that warps its growth and destroys all its beauty. De France assigned it to a separate genus, Hinnites. But two living species are known; one of them is ours.

The adult shell is attached by its left valve, perhaps to the inside of an old abalone shell. It valves are oblong with fine, irregular ribs beset with short thorns. The ears, always unequal, extend in two-lobed, shapeless flaps from the beaks. The valves attain surprising thickness; the sculpture becomes coarse and the colour fades. Two things survive the wreck of time. The oldest, most battered veteran the waves cast ashore shows still unimpaired at its hinge the perfect little infant shell, with a distinct boundary set when the erratic life began. The second striking character is the bright purple colour about the hinge area inside. This spot appeared when the free life ended, and it broadened and brightened as age increased. Length, 3 to 5 inches.

Habitat.--Pacific coast.