Pvn H,i I'UitlS

38 ostreid^e.
place, and especially in the earlier states of growth, have
been carefully examined and compared, many recent
species may become " extinct " in consequence of a reduction
in number, and with great advantage to science.
Poli gave the animal the name of Peloris. But that was
not an oyster.
Murice Baiano melior Lucrina peloris,
Ostrea Circeiis, Miseno oriuntur echini,
Pectinibus patulis jactat se niolle Tarentum.
Ostrea edu'lis *, Linne.
0. edulis, Linn. Svst. Nat. p. 1148 ; F. & H. ii. p. 307, pi. liv., and (ani-
mal) pi.
T. f. 1.
Body much compressed, although rather thick, of a pale
drab colour more or less tinged with brown : mantle nearly
circular : cirri arranged in two rows, the outer one of which is
double but irregular, and the inner one single : mouth furnished
with a pair of large and nearly triangular lips on each side.
Shell round in its young state, and afterwards spreading
out in front or at the sides, with frequently a more or less
curved outline, usually compressed, rather thick, of a dull
appearance outside : sculpture, foliated or scaly ; lower valve
sometimes strongly ribbed lengthwise ; the entire surface of
the shell when young is microscopically shagreened ; lines of
growth well marked: colour yellowish -brown : margins thin
and closely appressed or squeezed together, usually semicir-
cular in front and more or less rounded at the sides : beaks
small, divided by the cartilage, which is thick and very strong,
light-brown or horncolour, and supported on each side by a
short ligament of a dark olive-green : hinge-line narrow and
nearly straight : hinge-plate thick : inside white and pearly ;
lateral edges (especially of the flat valve)
notched on the :
upper part
finely crenulated or
muscular scar obliquely transverse,
pear-shaped or slightly incurved above. L. 3. B. 3*5.
Yar. 1. parasitica. Shell much smaller, flatter, and more
colour purplish or greenish-brown, with streaks of a
glossy ;
darker hue radiating from the beaks. 0. parasitica, Turt.
Conch. Diet. p. 134, f. 8.
* Eatable.