MYTILID^l. MUSSEL. 69 



Some of the natives inhabiting the Patagonian 

 Channels between the Gulf of Penas and Smyth's 

 Channels, live the greater part of the year almost 

 entirely on mussels and limpets, varied occasionally 

 by the capture of a seal or small otter.* 



Athenseus says that mussels are moderately nutri- 

 tious and digestible, the best being the Ephesian kind, 

 which are particularly good when taken about the end 

 of autumn (vol. i. p. 150). 



In the Feroe Isles, the large horse-mussel, Mytilus 

 modiolus is eaten, and they call it in Feroese Ova. Mr. 

 Alder tells us that at Rothesay they are collected for 

 food f (though not so delicate as Mytilus edulis), and 

 in the Shetland Isles for bait, where they are known 

 by the name of Yoags. They are also eaten in the 

 north of Ireland, but not considered very good, on 

 account of their strong scent and flavour; but they 

 are capital bait for cod. In Labrador the bait gene- 

 rally used at the commencement of the cod-fishing 

 season, viz., in May and June, consists of mussels 

 salted for the purpose ; but as soon as the capelings 

 (Mallotus villosus) reach the coast, they are sub- 

 stituted, to save expense ; and in many instances the 

 flesh of gannets and other sea fowl is employed. J 



At Tenby, they call Mytilus modiolus the poisonous 

 mussel, and affirm that no one ever ventures to 

 eat it. 



Pearls are occasionally found in the common mussel, 

 and also in the oyster, scallop, cockle, periwinkle, and 



* ' Cruise of the Alert/ p. 48. 



t Forbes and Hanley, < Brit. Mollusca,' vol. ii. p. 185, 

 J ' Life and Adventures of John James Audubon,' edited by E. Bu- 

 chanan, p. 246, chap. xlii. 



