PINNA. 303 



are annually fished up in the Mediterranean^ from the depth 

 of twenty or thirty feet. An instrument called a cramp is 

 used for the purpose ; it is a kind of iron fork, with per- 

 pendicular prongs, eight feet in length, each of them about 

 six inches apart, the length of the handle being in propor- 

 tion to the depth of the water; for, notwithstanding the 

 extreme delicacy of the individual threads, they form such 

 a compact tuft, that considerable strength is necessary in 

 separating the shells from the rocks to which they adliere. 



This tuft of silk, termed by the Sicilians lanapenna, is 

 then broken off, and sold to the countrywomen, who wash it 

 in soap and water. They then dry it in the shade, straighten 

 the threads with a large comb, cut off the useless root by 

 which it adhered to the animal, and card the remainder ; by 

 these means a pound of coarse filaments is reduced to about 

 three ounces of fine thread. This is fabricated into various 

 articles of wearing apparel, such as stockings, caps, gloves, 

 and waistcoats. The web is of a beautiful yellow-brown, 

 resembling the burnished gold hue which adorns the backs 

 of some splendid flies and beetles. A considerable manu- 

 factory is established at Palermo ; the fabrics are extremely 

 elegant, and vie in appearance with the finest silk. In the 

 year 1754 a pair of stockings were presented to Pope Bene- 



