BIVALVES. Pi | 
the individual threads, they form such a compact tuft, 
that considerable strength is necessary in separating 
the shells from the rocks to which they adhere. 
This tuft of silk, termed by the Sicilians lanapenna, 
is then broken off, and sold, in its rude state, for 
about fifteen carlini a pound, to the countrywomen, 
who wash it thoroughly in soap and water. They 
then dry it in the shade, straiten the threads with a 
large comb, cut off the useless root by which it 
adhered to the animal, and card the remainder; by 
these means a pound of coarse filaments is reduced 
to about three ounces of fine thread. This is 
fabricated into various articles of wearing apparel, 
such as stockings, caps, gloves, and waistcoats. 
The web is of a beautiful yellow brown, resembling 
the burnished golden hue which adorns the backs of 
some splendid flies and beetles ; an effect produced 
by steeping it in lemon-juice, and afterwards pressing 
it with a warm iron. 
A considerable manufactory of stuffs and various 
articles of wearing apparel is established at Palermo ; 
they are extremely elegant, and vie in appearance 
with such as are fabricated from the finest silk. 
In the year 1754, a pair of stockings were pre- 
sented to Pope Benedict XV., which, in consequence 
of their extreme fineness, were enclosed in a small 
box about the size of one for holding snuff. A robe 
