PLATE CXXVIIT. 



may be accidentally eaten with it : others think it is in consequence 

 of swallowing the silky byssus, or beard ; and again many deem the 

 Muscle itself poisonous. It is, however, pretty generally agreed, 

 that they affect some constitutions more than others, and that much 

 depends on the state of the body at the time of eating them. The 

 disorder may be cured, or at least its malignity mitigated, by ad- 

 ministering to the affected person a spoonful of vinegar : some re- 

 commend sweet oil, or salt and water. Da Costa observes that su- 

 dorifics, vomits, oils, <kc. are the usual remedies ; and the Dutch 

 give two spoon's-full of oil, and one of lemon-juice ; or, in defect of 



that, a little more vinegar, well shaken together, and swallowed 

 immediately. 



The Muscle is the prey of many kino's of fishes, and other crea- 

 tures that inhabit the sea. On the coast of Greenland, Fabricius 

 tells us, they are so abundant, that the dogs and ravens commonly 

 feed on them ; as do also the white game, (Ptarmigan) Eider Duck, 

 and many others. 



The seed-pearls found in the shell of the Muscle was formerly in 

 some esteem, for medicinal purposes : these, it is well known, are 

 the effects of a disease in the fish, analogous to the stone in the 

 human body. 



Mr. Pennant informs us, that the finest Muscles on the English 

 coasts (where they are found in great abundance) are those called 

 Hambleton Hookers, from a village in the county of Lancashire. 

 They are taken out of the sea, and placed in the river Wier, within 

 reach of the tide, where they grow very fat and delicious. 



