LISBON. 43 



a species of sim flower, and is distinguished from its name- 

 sake as fjira sole, has been absurdly dubbed the 'Jerusalem' 

 artichoke, as if it had been on a pilgrimage to the Holy City. 

 Then again, of teuipting appcjirance and excellent shape, 

 the so-called Tagus salmon demands notice, but it shows to 

 more advantage in the fish market than at the table, for its 

 flesh is white and full of bones, and in no respect tastes 

 like salmon ; moreover (though by no means to be despised, 

 and not at all coarse), it is somewhat insipid. Passing 

 on from the true fish, of which there is always a vast 

 variety exposed for sale, including turbot, whiting, sardines, 

 soles, &c., and also an immense quantity — for the whole 

 coast of Portugal swarms with fish— we almost recoil from 

 the disgusting cuttle-fish, and wonder how human stomach 

 can venture to receive that odious mollusc. But the pea- 

 santry of Portugal are not particular ; ' dura messorura 

 ilia!' all is fish that comes to their net; and even these 

 soft-bodied invertebrates are devoured with gusto. Very 

 different is our verdict, as we examine the magnificent 

 prawns, which here attain a size, and, I may add, a flavour 

 far exceeding anything I have known elsewhere: more- 

 over they are very abundant, and we had the pleasure of 

 renewing our acquaintance with this crustacean of colossal 

 size every day at the hotel breakfast. 



I do not think I need particularise any other of the 

 fisherman's spoils, which I daily overhauled in my wan- 

 derings through the market; so I pass on to the game 

 which was exposed for sale at the poulterers' stalls. Of 

 ground game, rabbits were exceedingly plentiful, hares 

 extremely scarce ; but, doing duty for venison, kids were 

 evidently considered of great price, and very young lambs 

 imitated the kids to the best of their ability. Of feathered 

 game, amidst a multitude of chickens of every size and 

 breed, ducks closely packed in baskets, geese and turkeys, 

 and an innumerable multitude of pigeons; the little bustard. 



