THE ECONOMIC MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 



The following table, compiled from the work of Dr. 

 Atwater, will show the respective nutritive values of several 

 of our Molluscs, that of beefsteak and salmon being added for 

 the sake of comparison. 



Beefsteak, 



Salmon 



Oyster (O. Vir- 

 giniana.) 

 Clam (Mya 



arenaria.) 



Quahog (Venus 



merceoaria.) 



Mussel (Mytilus 



edulis,) 



Scallop (Pecten 



irradians.) 



Per cent, 

 of water. 



Per cent. 



of 

 nutrients. 



60. 

 63.2 



87.8 



85.9 



86.2 



84 2 

 80.3 



40. 

 36.8 



12.7 



14.1 



13.8 



15.8 



19.7 



Protein. 



19. 

 22.6 



6.0 



8.5 



6.6 



8.7 

 14.4 



20. 

 12.9 



1.2 



1.0 



0.4 



1.1 



0.2 



Carbo- 

 hydrates. 



3.5 



2.0 

 4.2 

 4.1 

 3.4 



Mineral 

 matters. 



1. 

 1.3 



2.0 



2.6 



2.6 



1.9 



1.4 



Other investigators have obtained results somewhat dif- 

 ferent from these, which give to the Oyster a higher nutritive 

 value. Its value as food depends very largely upon conditions 

 not shown by the table, such as easy digestibility and the like. 

 For these reasons it is good for invalids and is frequently 

 prescribed by physicians. It will be noticed that the Mussel 

 has a higher nutritive value than the Clam, and that in some 

 respects both are better than the Oyster. 



Important as food-molluscs are to us, they were very much 

 more so to the Indians who preceded us in Acadia. Every- 

 where on our coast, where Molluscs are abundant, we find 

 heaps of shells which were thrown from the doors of the 

 wigwams when their contents had been removed. These 

 kept accumulating for ages and in places are acres in extent 

 and two or three feet in thickness. They consist, upon the 

 southern coast, chiefly of Clam shells, but also Mussels, 

 Whelks, Periwinkles, Limpets and the Scallop have been found , 

 some of these perhaps carried in accidentally. Mingled with 

 them are the bones of the principal Mammals of the region, 

 and household or hunting implements, doubtless lost by their 

 owners. These camping-places were occupied chiefly in the 



