74 THE ECONOMIC .MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 



alive (our fishermen take their Clams and Squid salted), and 

 they will remain so for some hours (one writer says for two 

 ■days), when placed on the hook and suspended in the water. 

 It is thought that this fact is the chief element in its success 

 as a bait. It is used for all kinds of fish which bite at a hook, 

 cod, haddock, etc., and although in deep water and far from 

 land, Whelks {Bnccinnm undatnm) are sometimes preferred, 

 the Mussel is much the best all-around bait. The Swedish 

 fishermen use it in preference to all others, as probably do 

 ■other European fisher-peoples. 



In the United States we cannot find that it is ever used 

 for bait, nor in any part of Canada, except very rarely and 

 locally. In Acadia, we do not know that it is ever used for 

 this purpose;* can any one tell us the reason? It is more 

 abundant and more easily obtained than the Clam, has a 

 lighter shell, is easier to open, is probably more tenacious of 

 life, and has other apparent advantages. 



(h) Its Use as Human Food. 



Of all European countries, France probably uses the most 

 Mussels for food. In 1873, the fishery was estimated to be 

 -worth $160,000, in part from natural and partly from culti- 

 vated beds. Belgium also produces many, and it was estimated 

 in 1873 that there was exported from Antwerp to Paris alone 

 ^280,000 worth, all taken from natural beds. From many 

 parts of the English coast they are sent inland, where they 

 are eaten in all towns, but the greater supply for the London 

 •market is imported from Holland. In London, £4,000 

 worth are sold annually for food, at a price of about one 

 penny per quart, ranking in value as the fhird shell-fish, the 

 Oyster being first, and the Periwinkle second. Statistics for 

 the whole of England are wanting, but the quantity must be 

 ■enormous. It is used largely as a substitute for Oysters — in 

 making fish-sauces, and is also cooked in other ways. In 



* As this paper is in press, Mr. H. Piers writes the author that on the Atlantic 

 coast of Nova Scotia, " they are not sold for bait, but are occasionally used by the 

 Jflshermen when nothing better can be had." 



