4 EDIBLE BRITISH MOLLUSCA. 



in this opinion I am borne out by my own specimens. 

 The young Pholas, haviDg found a substance suitable 

 for a habitation, ceases to bore immediately that it has 

 buried its shell below the surface of the rock, &c. It 

 remains quiescent until its increased growth requires a 

 renewal of its labours. It thus continues working deeper 

 and deeper, and, should the substance fail or decay, it 

 has no alternative but to bore through, and seek some 

 fresh spot where it may find a more secure retreat/' 



At Amroth, near Tenby, is a submerged forest, the 

 trees of which are completely perforated by the Pholas; 

 and at spriug-tides fine specimens may be collected. 

 Montagu remarks that, whilst it is the general habit 

 of shipworms (Teredo navalis, or Teredo norvegica) to 

 bore parallel with the grain, the Pholas perforates the 

 wood across the grain.* 



Dr. J. G. Jeffreys mentions that Redi, in a letter to 

 his friend Megalotti, describes the Teredo as being not 

 only eatable, but excelling all shellfish, the oyster not 

 excepted, in its exquisite flavour. Nardo also praises 

 it, and wonders why the Venetians, who call it Bisse del 

 legno, do not eat it.f 



The German name for the Pholas is very appropriate, 

 viz., die Bohr muschel, Steinbohrer, or pierce-stone; in 

 France it is called le Bail commun, Gite, or Pitau ; in 

 Spain, Foladoj Almeixa-bravas ; in Minorca, Peus de 

 cobra and Batil del mar; and in Sicily, Battoli di mari. 



An old fisherman told me that the Pudworm, as he 

 called it, was a very delicate fish ; and he had often 

 noticed on the Hampshire coast, that at low spring- 

 tides in the winter, when sharp frosts set in, and when 



* Forbes and Hanley, ' British Mollusca.' 

 t ' British Concbology,' vol. iii. p. 159. 



