Abstract:According to an on-site survey of the commercial medicinal materials in China, it is demonstrated andthat the shells of abalone or sea-ear consist of nine types. Their original animals are Haliotios diversicolor, H. discushannai, H. ovina, H. asinia,H. ruber,H. laevigata ,H. semistrata, H. midae and H. cracherodii. Three of thesetypes namely, H. semistrata, H. midae and H. cracherodii are not included in the Chinese Pharmacopeia. Further-more, most of the shells of abalone or sea-ear presently on market Haliotions ruber and H. discus hannai.