The author of this book, which was published for the Buckland Foundation, quickly communicates his enthusiasm for his subject which he has been researching for many years. His research has ranged widely over molluscs and crustaceans, including pioneer work on mussel culture in Scotland, but he has remained faithful to his first love, the scallop, which has accounted for most of his research output. In this book, he shows that the pectinids are a fascinating group culturally, as well as biologically. He writes in detail of their life history, breeding and behaviour, of catching methods and the development of the important scallop and queen fisheries. The advent of processing facilitated the expansion of these fisheries. Improved knowledge of biology and behaviour has enabled scientists to interpret the catch data and assess the state of exploited stocks. As fishing has expanded, attention has turned to stock protection and to the exciting possibility of farming pectinids. Dr Mason covers all these aspects and thus his book presents a timely summing up of the present state of knowledge of this attractive group of animals and their commercial exploitation as well as pointing the way to future developments.