« 13. Ph. with a shell thinner than the former; and the tooth very slender and oblique; in externals resembling the former [12: Zirfaea crispata], only never found larger than a hazel nut. » – T. Pennant: British zoology vol. IV, London 1777, p.77.
Above, the species in Pennant, Plate XL.
« I have often taken them out of the cells they had formed in hard clay, below high-water mark, on many of our shores. They also perforate the hardest oak plank that accidentally is lodged in the water. I have a piece filled with them, which was found near Pensacola in West Florida [probably Barnea truncata], and presented to me by that ingenious naturalist the late John Ellis, Esquire. I have also found them in masses of fossil wood, in the shores of Abergelli in Denbighshire… » – Ibid.
A large one from 12m deep, Melilla, southern Alborán. 43mm.
Original pictures provided by I. Mulero (ES).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) –
« P. parva has been observed by De Gerville and many other conchologists in the north of France, by M’Andrew at Malaga (of small size), and by Weinkauff at Algiers. […] The oval shape, smaller size, close and delicate sculpture, wide gape in front, large tubercle on the hinge-plate, and more central position of the hinge will readily serve to distinguish P. parva from P. candida. » – J. G. Jeffreys: British conchology vol.3, London 1865, p.109-112.
Above, the species in J. G. Wood: The common shells of the sea-shore, London 1866, plate I.