CELA Pain Raat: 
THE MUSSEL. 
THE Mussel—or, as this well-known shell-fish is scientifically 
termed, the Mytilus edulis—has neither the delicate flavour nor 
the reputation of the oyster. Oysters are the aristocracy of the 
bivalves ; mussels occupy a much lower place in their social scale. 
Yet we must not say too much derogatory of the mussel, for its 
creat abundance and its price bring it within the reach of the 
humbler classes, and, with much reason, it has been called “the 
poor man’s oyster.” 
Mussels are easily recognised from all other shell-fish, by the 
deep violet colour of the valves, and the yellowish-red of the 
mollusk itself. The three prominent characteristics of the mussel 
are—the shape, the foot, and the byssus. 
1. The shape of the mussel is somewhat triangular, but not 
inelegant. Its valves are both alike, and are united by a hinge 
at the vertex of the triangle. The hinge has no teeth, but is a 
groove, in which lies a binding ligament. The anterior part of 
the animal is lodged in this sharp angle. 
2. The foot of this mollusk, the most striking of its members, 
is constructed something like a finger; it is capable of great elon- 
gation, and sometimes can be stretched even more than two inches. 
Several pairs of muscles which penetrate it, and are interlaced in 
its tissue, control all its motions. By the aid of this organ the 
mussel can move, and in this respect,is more favoured than the 
oyster. 
3. The byssus is an assemblage of little cords, by which 
the mollusk anchors itself to the rock so firmly that it can defy 
the violence of the storm. If we try to detach the threads of 
the byssus from their hold, they will break rather than let go. 
The gland which secretes this animal cable is situated at the base 
of the foot; it contains a semi-fluid matter, which fills the tube of 
