HIPPOLITO SALVIANI. 35 



by filth, and acquires a reddish colour. It is sought 

 for during the night by the Urtica : the Cancillus 

 sometimes grows in it. By cooking it becomes 

 digestible, and is very agreeable when stewed with 

 cinnamon and pepper. According to Athenaeus, the 

 white pecten is the best, and the largest of the red 

 and dark coloured best in spring, whilst, according 

 to Pliny, the darkest coloured and the largest are 

 best in summer. They are procured in great per- 

 fection near Mytilene. Pliny, Clemens Alex- 

 andrinus, and Methymneus speak of their medicinal 

 virtues." It will be noticed that in this description 

 it is said that this shell-fish springs about. Volitat. 

 This statement is given on the testimony of Aristotle, 

 Pliny, and Massaria, and in their works is more largely 

 insisted upon. It is so strange an attribute that it 

 may have been generally regarded as legendary and 

 untrue, and yet the statement has recently been 

 abundantly confirmed. If a basket of the common 

 pecten be placed near the water-edge it will be seen 

 that it is speedily emptied, by its inmates springing 

 from their confinement to their native element. 

 This is effected by the sudden opening and shutting 

 of their valves, the lower striking against the sand 

 and acting as a spring*. 



On the sea-monsters we need not dwell long. 

 Oppian, Pliny, and JElian are the authorities for 

 the merman, Homo marinus^ testifying as to what 

 he really is, and when and where he was seen. 

 The description of the sea-horse is given by Isidore 

 * See Stork's Elements of Nat. Hist. vol. ii., p 80. 



