The structure, ciliation, and function of the lips of some bivalve molluscs

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Abstract
The structure, ciliation, and function of the lips of 12 species belonging to nine families of the subclass Pteriomorphia are described. All these species have devices for preventing the swallowing of excess water, collected along with participate food material, by the ctenidia and palps. It is suggested that in all bivalves, as in other suspension-feeding animals, water currents are generated by the food-collecting apparatus. But, whereas in members of the echinoderm superphylum, the development of gill slits to allow the escape of excess water which has already entered the mouth has had great evolutionary implications, the escape of water before it gets to the mouth is usually achieved in a less conspicuous manner in bivalves, although a complex lip apparatus has been developed in some monomyarian members of the Pteriomorphia.

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