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A common cockle shell.

Cockle

A common cockle shell.

"The <em>Perna isognomum</em> has a somewhat similar form to the Hammer Oyster; it lives in deep water, attached to rocks by its byssus." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Perna isognomum

"The Perna isognomum has a somewhat similar form to the Hammer Oyster; it lives in deep water,…

"[From left to right:] Fusus Longissimus, Pearl Oyster and Coral, Volute, Thorny Woodcock." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Mollusca

"[From left to right:] Fusus Longissimus, Pearl Oyster and Coral, Volute, Thorny Woodcock." —…

An edible bivavle mollusk, closely allied to the mussels, and which forms an important article of commerce. Oysters are found near the shores of salt and brackish water, where they are moored by the left shell to stones or other hard substances. They feed principally on microscopic beings an particles of organic matter which they take in from the currents of water by the mouth at the hinge end of the shell.

Oyster

An edible bivavle mollusk, closely allied to the mussels, and which forms an important article of commerce.…

Oysters grow for the most part in marine or brackish water. Inside a usually highly calcified shell is a soft body.

Oyster

Oysters grow for the most part in marine or brackish water. Inside a usually highly calcified shell…

Oysters grow for the most part in marine or brackish water. Inside a usually highly calcified shell is a soft body.

Oyster

Oysters grow for the most part in marine or brackish water. Inside a usually highly calcified shell…

Oysters grow for the most part in marine or brackish water. Inside a usually highly calcified shell is a soft body.

Oyster

Oysters grow for the most part in marine or brackish water. Inside a usually highly calcified shell…

"Anatomy of the Oyster. A. Hinge or anterior umbonal end of the left valve of an adult oyster, upon which the soft parts of the animal are represented as they lie in situ, but with the greater part of the mantle of the right side removed. a u. The auricle of the right side of the heart contracted. B. Posterior or ventral end of the left valve, which in life is usually directed upward more or less, and during the act of feeding and respiration is separated slightly from the margin of its fellow of the opposite side to admit the water for respiration, and which also contains the animal's food in suspension. b m. Body-mass, traversed superficially by the generative ducts g e. b j. The organ of Bojanus, or 'renal' organ, of the right side of the oyster. (The ducts which it sends into the manle are not shown, nor is its connection with the genito-urinary sinus s indicated.)" &mdash; Winston's Encyclopedia, 1919

Oyster

"Anatomy of the Oyster. A. Hinge or anterior umbonal end of the left valve of an adult oyster, upon…

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of bivalve mollusks, most of which live in marine habitats or brackish water. The shell consists of two usually highly calcified valves which surround a soft body. Gills filter plankton from the water, and strong adductor muscles are used to hold the shell closed.

Oyster Shell

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of…

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of bivalve mollusks, most of which live in marine habitats or brackish water. The shell consists of two usually highly calcified valves which surround a soft body. Gills filter plankton from the water, and strong adductor muscles are used to hold the shell closed.

Oyster Shell

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of…

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of bivalve mollusks, most of which live in marine habitats or brackish water. The shell consists of two usually highly calcified valves which surround a soft body. Gills filter plankton from the water, and strong adductor muscles are used to hold the shell closed.

Oyster Shell

An illustration of a oyster shell. The common name oyster is used for a number of different groups of…

The European oyster-catcher is about eighteen inches in length, commonly found along the sea-coast. Its diet consists of mollusca and small crabs.

European Oystercatcher

The European oyster-catcher is about eighteen inches in length, commonly found along the sea-coast.…

Pearl divers hunting for oysters on the bottom of the sea.

Pearl-fishery

Pearl divers hunting for oysters on the bottom of the sea.

"Furnishes the fines pearls; the shells are also imported in vast quanities, the inner layer, known as "mother of pearl", being used for a great number of ornamental purposes." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Pearl-oyster

"Furnishes the fines pearls; the shells are also imported in vast quanities, the inner layer, known…

Ocean shells that typically bear beautiful pearls.

Pearl Shells

Ocean shells that typically bear beautiful pearls.