SCALLOP, QUEEN

(Notovola novae-zelandiae).

This is the large scallop with one valve convex and the other one flat. They occur throughout New Zealand on muddy and sandy flats at low tide and in deeper water. They are very abundant in Tasman Bay and on the mud banks of the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours. This scallop swims by suddenly closing the shell with a snap, which sends out a jet of water that propels the shellfish in sudden leaps. Queen scallops are our most delicately flavoured shellfish. The Maori name is tipa.

by Arthur William Baden Powell, Assistant Director, Auckland Institute and Museum.