PINNA. 101 



what incurved beaks, and in that state no ribs or striae are 

 formed. Dr. Walker says that the Gaelic name of the 

 shell is " feaskand." Very little appears to be known in 

 this country as to the animal. Pennant gravely called it 

 " a slug." Montagu, and recently Mr. Couch, imagined 

 that it could close the larger end for the same purpose 

 as that stated by the ancients, viz. to catch little fish ! 

 Many writers have supposed that it can weigh anchor 

 when it pleases, and remove to a better feeding-ground ; 

 but it would not seem to be fond (if capable) of changing 

 its place of abode, unless when very young, and before 

 it has settled down for life. The worn state of the 

 beaks and the not unfrequently distorted contour of the 

 shell show that it lies partly buried in the ground and 

 continues for a long time in the same place. If it is 

 forcibly torn or driven from its anchorage, it can un- 

 doubtedly spin a new byssus and reattach itself. The 

 fibre of this curious appendage or " beard " is tubular 

 like hair. When dried it is stiff and wiry ; but if used 

 fresh it is sufficiently flexible to be woven into gloves 

 and stockings. Tarento is a noted place of manufac- 

 ture for such articles ; and at our last International 

 Exhibition a Cornish muff made of this material might 

 have been seen by those who were disposed to venture 

 into an obscure gallery in search of the few objects of 

 natural history for which any space was allotted. Ac- 

 cording to Verany the byssus is a successful remedy for 

 the ear-ache ; but he does not say in what manner it is 

 applied. However, this production is evidently of more 

 use to the Pinna than it can be to man. Most other 

 bivalves are provided with the same apparatus. Reau- 

 mur justly remarked that the sea has her spinners in 

 the mussels, as the earth has in her caterpillars and 

 spiders. The animal is said to be good to eat; but it 



