The Nautilus. 



Vol. IV. JANUARY, 1891. No. 9. 



MOLLDSKS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MARKETS. 



BY PROF. JO.SIAH KEEP, xMILLS COLLEGE, CAL. 



It would be interesting to know how many species of edible 

 mollu.sks are to be found in the markets of the great cities of our 

 country. I suspect that the number would be found to be surpris- 

 ingly small, when we consider what a vast array of species fall into 

 line and set themselves in array against the bewildered beginner, 

 when he opens the simplest manual aud attempts to gain familiarity 

 with their names and natures. For one, I would be much interested 

 to read in the " Nautilus " a series of articles upon the food 

 moUusks which may be bought in the markets of our country; said 

 articles to be written by various observers, each one reporting for 

 his own locality. 



The species of mollusks which the ordinary purchaser will find 

 in the "fish markets" of San Francisco are only five in number, and 

 of these, the amounts sold are very unequal. The first in importance 

 as well as in social standing, so to speak, is the " Eastern Oyster," 

 Osfrea Virginica Gmelin. This distinguished visitor to our coast 

 is highly prized by all lovers of good things ; far too highly prized, 

 by the dealer, to admit of its forming any considerable portion of 

 the food of the average conchologist. The price per dozen varies 

 from twenty-five cents to half a dollar or more, according to size. The 

 surpri.se of those who have been accustomed in the East to buy 

 oysters by the quart, when they attempt to repeat their purchases 

 here, is almost painful. A quart of oysters is something which few 

 people in San Francisco ever call their own. Of course I do not 



