122 NEW SOUTH WALES 



CHAPTEE VIII. 

 Other Mo/lusca. 



The other mollusca of 'New South Wales are not of much imjjortance 

 in an economic point of view. A mussel [Mytilus hirsutus) is common 

 in this harbour, and is eaten by some people. M. latus (var. Dunkeri) 

 and M. rostratus are also used, but they are all dangei'ous articles of 

 food at certain times. 



Trochocochlea constricta, Lam., is used as a substitute for the British 

 perri winkle, but it is only consumed to a very small extent. Our common 

 limpet, Patella tramoserica is quite uneatable. In speaking of the shark 

 fishery of Tasmania, I have already referred to the animal of a large ear 

 shell, Haliotis ncevosa, called by fishermen the " Mutton fish," which is 

 much esteemed by the Chinese. Mr. Chin Ateak, a Chinese merchant 

 in Sydney, stated in his evidence before the Royal Commission that he 

 was prepared to give 9d. a pound for it in any quantity. As the species 

 is abundant on most parts of the coast, the collection of it might form a 

 profitable occupation for a number of people. There are other common 

 species on the coast. 



The squids or Cephalopods are exceedingly abundant in the harbour 

 of Port Jackson and all along the coast. They can be easily caught 

 with a line as well as with the seine. 



They might be made a source of considerable profit for exportation to 

 Japan and China. In both of these countries all animal substances of a 

 gelatinous character are in great request, and none more than those of 

 the cuttle-fish tribe. The fine preparations of cuttle-fish in the Japanese 

 Court in the Garden Palace must be fresh in the recollection of eveiy 

 one. It appears from the statements of Mr. Chin Ateak, that of the 

 Cephalopods of this coast, the " Squid " (^Seinoteuthis Australis) is highly 

 appreciated, and in consequence highly priced. The cuttle-fish {Sepia) 

 is of rather inferior quality, and the "Star-fish" of the fishermen 

 (Octopus) is not used at all. Some of the latter Avhich frequent the 

 hai-bour are of enormous size. The author purchased two from fishermen 

 which measure over 6 feet from tip to tip of the arms, each of which 

 has over 800 suckers upon them, making considerably above 6,500 suckers 

 for the whole fish ! They are excellent eating if properly prepared, and 

 a few words about the economical value of cuttle-fishes will here be 

 useful. They are taken almost verbatim from Mi-. Lee's excellent work 

 on the Octopus.* 



Although the cephalopods are seldom eaten in Great Britain , they are 

 appreciated as food by nearly all other maritime nations. Along the 

 western coast of France and in the countries bordering on the Medi- 

 terranean and Adriatic they form a portion of the habitual sustenance 

 of the people, and are regularly exposed for sale in the markets both in a 

 fresh and in a dried condition. Salted cuttles and octopus are eaten 

 during Lent as commonly as salted cod is brought to table in England 

 on Good Friday, and thus prepared generally form a portion of the 



*" The Octopus," by Henry Lee, Loudon, 1875. Chapman & Hall. 



