72 CONCHOLOGIST’S COMPANION. 
of the same singular materials is mentioned by Pro- 
copius, as the gift of a Roman emperor to the satrap 
of Armenia. 
It is even conjectured by some writers, that the 
fine byssus produced in India, Egypt, and about 
Elis, in Arabia, was no other than the threads of 
this interesting shell-fish, from which the richest 
apparel was anciently made, and afterwards dyed 
purple, for the sacerdotal vestments of the Jewish 
and Egyptian priests. Some interpreters of the 
Scriptures, render the Greek word, denoting byssus, 
by fine linen; but other versions, such as Calvin’s, 
and the Spanish printed at Venice in 1556, explain 
it by silk; though undeniably of a different kind 
than the produce of the silk-worm, as appears from 
the testimonies of several ancient writers. Commen- 
tators usually distinguish two sorts of byssus,—one 
of Elis, the other of Judea: from the latter the 
sacerdotal vestments were uniformly made; the for- 
mer being assigned to the Levite. 
Thus elegantly has the Earl of Shaftesbury referred 
to the productions of these industrious insects :— 
‘* How shining, strong, and lasting are the subtile 
threads spun from their artful mouths! Who beside 
the All-wise, has taught them to compose the beauti- 
ful soft shells, in which, recluse and buried, yet still 
alive, they form those beautiful threads, when not 
* 
