THE ECONOMIC MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 67 



it is sometimes eaten, though according to Mr. J. H. Duvar^ 

 it is not much esteemed there. It can be taken, he says, in 

 moderate quantity. No Scallops are imported from the 

 United States into Acadia. 



As to the value of our species for food, as compared with 

 the southern form, the testimony is all one way. Mr. Willis- 

 says that it, and the species next to be described, Pecteii- 

 Islandicus, were considered delicacies in Nova Scotia, and 

 that he had known them, when offered for sale, to sell readily 

 for one shilling sterling each. Mr. lugersoll, as mentioned 

 above, refers to its excellence, and persons who have tried 

 both have assured the writer that our Scallop is quite as good 

 as the southern form. It has the advantage also of being^ 

 larger than the latter. The muscle, the only part eaten,. 

 must be twice the size. 



The shells are made useful for many purposes, and here^ 

 again, our species has the advantage. The valves are 

 frequently used as dishes in fishermen's families, and even 

 by professional cooks. Indeed, it is said that, "From its use, 

 by cooks now, this shell [i. e., Scallop shells in general] has 

 given the name to ' Scalloped ' oysters." The valves of the 

 young of this, and those of the following species, are made to- 

 form part of pin-cushions, needle-books and other like 

 ornaments, while the entire valves are sometimes used as- 

 mantel ornaments. The smooth, satin-like interior faces,^ 

 particularly of the flat valves, take both oil and water colors- 

 well, and frequently are used as placques for painting upon. 

 Their use by Oyster-culturists has been already referred to, 

 and our species ought to be even better adapted for this- 

 purpose than F. irradians. No doubt there are many other 

 minor uses found for this attractive shell. 

 Works op Reference. 

 The Scallop and its Fishery. By Ernest Ingersoll. American 



Naturalist, Vol. XX., Dec. 1886, pp. 1001-1006. 

 General Remarks on the Use of the Genus Pecten by Man in 



Modern and Ancient Times. By R. E. C. Stearns. 



Overland Monthly. Vol. X., April, 1873, pp. 342-344. 

 The Scallop Fishery. Fishery Industries of the IJ. S. VoL 



II., Sec. v., pp. 565-581. 5 



