Fig. 26.
Saddle-shaped Anomia.
Agnes’s attention was now caught by some shells, and she begged her mamma to purchase for her a beautiful little Scallop-shell which was streaked with reddish bands, delicately shaded off into white; and also one of those shells which are called Anomia. They then proceeded on their walk, and as they descended the remaining cliffs Agnes asked her mamma what the use was of the hole in the upper valve of the anomia.
“It is that,” said Mrs. Merton, “which has given rise to the popular English name of the Antique Lamp, by which the shell is generally known, as it resembles the opening through which the flame of the ancient lamps used to ascend; but its real use is to admit the passing through it of a strong muscle, at the end of which is a calcareous mass, by means of which the animal contained in the shell attaches itself to the rocks. Where the creature has fixed itself, it cannot be pulled off without killing it; but when it wishes, it possesses the power of drawing its muscle into the shell so as to close the hole in the upper valve with the calcareous mass, which exactly fits it.”
Agnes did not reply to this, and after a short silence her mamma asked her if she did not wish to know any particulars respecting the other shell they had purchased.
“Oh no!” said Agnes, carelessly, “as it is only a common scallop, I suppose I know all that you can tell me about that.”
“Indeed!” said Mrs. Merton, “and pray may I ask how much you do know about it?”
Agnes was about to speak, but after considering a moment, she hesitated, stammered, and at last said, “it is such a common shell.”
“But what particulars do you know about it?” persisted Mrs. Merton.
“Everybody knows a scallop-shell,” said Agnes.
“Everybody may easily know it as well as you do apparently,” said Mrs. Merton; “for the fact is that you appear to know nothing of it but its name; and yet there are some particulars respecting the animal of the pecten or scallop which are extremely interesting. For instance, you are probably not aware that it possesses the power of leaping; and that a basket full of scallops just caught, which was set down on the beach, was found speedily emptied of its contents by the pectens springing out of it and returning to the water. The animal of the scallop has also the power of making such frequent and sudden contractions of its muscles as to force itself rapidly forward through the water; and, indeed, a recent writer on the subject tells us, that it requires considerable agility to catch it as it flutters among the corals where it dwells. The name of pecten, which signifies a comb, was given to the scallop-shell from a supposed resemblance in the fluting of the shell to the teeth of a comb. The scallop-shell was formerly the badge of pilgrims who had been to the Holy Land, and was worn on their caps and cloaks.”