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The common, or edible muscle, is found both in the European and Indian 

 Seas, adhering to rocks by the silky thread which it forms from its body ; but 

 it grows to a much larger size between the tropics, than in the northern cli- 

 mates. It abounds on the British shores, being one of the commonest of our 

 shells. All the muscles have for an instrument of motion, a tongue or foot capable 

 of considerable elongation, and also of being shortened into the form of a heart. 

 When the animal feels inclined to change its place, it thrusts its foot out of 

 the shell, and raises itself on its edge; then, by reaching this to as great a dis- 

 tance as it will extend, it uses it as a kind of arm, drawing the body up to it ; 

 and thus it proceeds, until it has found a convenient situation. If the muscle 

 be inclined to make this his residence, the instrument of his motion is now 

 put to a very different employment in spinning those silky threads which fix 

 it firmly to the spot, and, like a ship at anchor, enable it to bear all the agita- 

 tions of the water. This is accomplished by seizing, with its point, the 

 gluton supplied by a gland situated under its base, and drawing it out through 

 the furrow into threads. When the muscle is thus fixed, it lives upon the little 

 earthy particles, or upon the bodies of such smaller animals as the water 

 transports to its shell. 



The common muscle is generally esteemed a rich, nutritious and wholesome 

 food ; but to some constitutions it often occasions disorders, the symptoms of 

 which are great swellings, eruptions, blotches and pimples, shortness of 

 breath, convulsive motions, and sometimes even deliriums. A remedy that has 

 been recommended is two spoonfuls of oil, and one of lemon juice, or in 

 want of this about two of vinegar, shaken well together, and swallowed as 

 soon as possible after any of the symptoms take place. This unwholesome 

 quality has been attributed to a small species of crab, that sometimes is found 

 within the shells: it seems, however, not to have its seat in any thing essential 

 to the muscle ; for when accidents of this kind have happened, some persons 

 have been affected, and others have not, who have eat at the same time, and 

 at least in equal quantity. 



The pearl bearing the muscle of the Indian Seas is most abundant and in 

 greatest perfection, on the coast of the Persian Gulf, and of the island of 

 Ceylon. In the great fisheries established to supply the eastern market, the 

 number of fish annually taken up from their beds by divers, whose perilous 

 trade it is to search for them, is almost incredible. Some of the shells con- 

 tain one or more pearls; others not any: they are usually detached, but often 

 adhere to the valves, and are extricated by opening the shell and washing. 



