254 On the Economical Uses of some species of Testacea. 
XXII. Carpium epute. (Linn.)—E£dible Cockle. 
This common English shell inhabits the low sandy and muddy 
shores of most parts of Great Britain, and is found a little above low 
water mark. The specimens lie singly, about a foot deep in the 
sand, and like the JMya arenaria of this country, their locality is 
known by a dimple or depression, of about half an inch in diameter. 
They are dug out. They are likewise found on some of the French 
coasts, and in both countries are used for the table ; but their con- 
sumption is entirely confined to the more humble and poorer classes. 
In the sixth century they were however of much more importance, 
and eaten by all. In general they are prepared by simply boiling 
them, after having been kept a few days in fresh water to get quit of 
the sand they contain. 
In the island of Barry, on the coast of Inverness, Scotland, this 
fish is at times the chief support of the inhabitants, and so plentiful 
are they there,-that in seasons of scarcity the people have subsisted 
solely on them for months together. The popular opinion there is, 
that they spring from small animalcule, brought down by the water 
springs from a certain green hill in the neighborhood of the sands. 
Buchanan, the Scottish historian, gives a somewhat similar account 
of their origin, as being believed in his time throughout Scotland. 
Except the occasional burning of the shell as lime, or applying it as 
manure, it is of no value. They are in season during the spring.* 
XXIV. Hewrx Pomarra. (Linn.)\—Edible Snail. 
Luxury perhaps attained to a greater-height in ancient Rome than 
in any other country of whivh we have the history. Not only was 
there the most lavish splendor and magnificence in the houses and 
the temples ; not only were these met with in the dress and equip- 
ages, but the most minute attention and refinement was applied to 
the science of cookery and to the table. The present shell is an 
instance of this: not content with eating animals as they were by 
nature, the greatest ingenuity was manifested in feeding and fatten- 
ing them, oe while Rome was mastering or holding in subjection 
* Sinclair's Sia Statistical Hist. of Scotland, Vol. xiii. p. 336. Holinshed’s Chron- 
icles, Vol. i. p. 378. - 
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