This genus is very beautiful, and derived its common name from its
resemblance to the human ear. The exterior is generally tuberculated and
loaded with marine substances, which gives it a rough and uncouth
appearance, but the interior forms a splendid contrast by its natural
iridescence. Each shell is furnished with a row of orifices near the
margin, varying in number from eight upward; of these from three to
seven are generally open, and the others close. These holes are made by
the animal as it increases the size of the shell, to admit the passage
of a short syphon.
They are found adhering to rocks like the Patella, and are detached with
great difficulty.
Shell ear-shaped, pearly, recurving, very depressed, more or less oval,
with spire very small, very low, almost posterior and lateral; aperture
as large as the shell, with margins continued; the right thin and sharp,
the left flat, enlarged, and sharp; a series of holes, complete or
incomplete, parallel to the left margin; one large oval muscular
impression.
Haliotis Midæ.
H. iris.
H. tubifera.
H. excavata.
H. Australis.
H. tuberculata.
H. striata.
H. asinina.
H. glabra.
H. lamellosa.
H. unilateralis.
H. rugosa.
H. canaliculata.
H. tricostalis.
H. dubia.
_H. asinina._ The asinine Haliotis.
Internal margin very broad, inside pearly, smooth, shining, iridescent,
reflecting green, pink, and orange; back clouded with brown and green;
striated longitudinally.
_H. costata._ The ribbed Haliotis. Pl. 22, fig. 4, interior. Pl. 32,
fig. 6, exterior.
Species with disk rounded anteriorly.
_H. canaliculata._ The channelled Haliotis.
Species with disk elevated by a large parallel rib, hollowed interiorly,
and with the anterior margin more or less irregular.
_H. tuberculata._ The tuberculated Haliotis.
Aperture open the whole length of the shell; outer lip irregular,
exterior reddish brown, striated longitudinally and wrinkled
transversely, with a few raised tubercles; interior pearly, reflecting
the most beautiful shades of pink, blue, green, and yellow.
FAMILY XIII.
PLICACEA. Two genera.