Haliotis

Haliotis, a genus of gasteropodous molluscs, of the family Haliotidae, order Prosobranchiata; shell widely open, ear-shaped, pierced on the outer margin by a series of holes which are closed in the course of growth after ceasing to be of use in containing the pallial folds. The shell, on account of its beautifully iridescent Nacre (q.v.), is much used for the purposes of ornament. In some parts of Italy it is called Venus's ear; it is the 'mother-of-pearl' of old English writers, and the 'ormer' (contracted from oreille de mer) of the French. The animal itself, in a living state, exhibits great beauty of colours. It inhabits the littoral zone, adhering to rocks like the limpet; one Japanese species, however, is found in deep water. Several species are used for food in different parts of the world. The genus has a wide distribution, being found in every part of the ocean from the Channel Islands southwards. Seventy-five recent and four fossil species, commencing in the Miocene period, are known.