Abstract
The relationships of crystals to the organic matrix in which they form have been studied in the shell of three bivalve mollusks, Pinctada martensii, Elliptio complanatus, and Crassostrea virginica, by comparing decalcified and undecalcified sections. The organic matrix occurs as sheets. The sheets of the nacreous regions (P. martensii and E. complanatus) are 300–3000 thick and in cross section showed fibrils 100–200 in diameter. Those of the calcitostracum (C. virginica) were 120–200 thick and seemed to be made up of two or three layers, each about 50 thick. Interlamellar matrix was found only in the nacreous region as continuous sheets between the horizontal crystalline layers of aragonite. Intercrystalline matrix enveloped the aragonite and calcite crystals. Intracrystalline matrix surrounded and penetrated the dendritic elements making up the aragonite and calcite crystals.
Published Version
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