Description

MANY PEOPLE MARVEL AT THE IRIDESCENT SWIRLS GRACING THE INTERIOR OF AN ABALONE SHELL; OTHERS EXCLAIM THAT THEIR FIRST BITE OF AN ABALONE STEAK REMINDS THEM MORE OF WIENER SCHNITZEL THAN OF SEAFOOD. YET SELDOM DO PEOPLE REALIZE WHAT CAUSES THE LOVELY COLORS IN THE SHELL OR THAT THIS ANIMAL IS REALLY A HUGE FLATTENED SNAIL.

THIS BOOK STEMS FROM SEVERAL YEARS OF RESEARCH. A SCANTLING OF THE CONTENTS EVOLVED FROM DIGGING AMONG THE MEAGER STACK OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS WRITTEN ON ABALONES. BUT THE BULK OF THIS MATERIAL WAS GLEANED THE HARD WAY. FROM OBSERVING THE ANIMALS IN THEIR UNDERSEA HABITAT, AND FROM PRYING OPEN THE LIPS OF THE RECALCITRANT FEW WHO ACTUALLY KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT ABALONES.