222 Limpet and Pholas Species ("Piddock"). 



the FINGER-SHAPED PHOLAS (P. dactylus) and the WHITE PHOLAS 

 (P. Candida) are quite numerous in some localities. The two 

 last excavate deep holes at low water mark the base of the 

 chalk cliffs near Margate, and in the Dover neighbourhood from 

 St. Margaret's Bay westwards to Shakespeare Cliff. The 

 blocks of stones forming the Folkestone pier are likewise pierced 

 and tenanted by Pholas. The animal has an elongated plump 

 body and foot. It is not infrequently removed from its hole to 

 furnish fish-bait. On the French coast opposite it is a common 

 market mollusk, and cooked with bread crumbs, herbs and 

 seasoning, or, like our cockles, preserved in vinegar prior to 

 consumption. We are not aware of its now being eaten within 

 our District. 



An old English name for the Pholas was " Piddock," and 

 " Pittick " is still a colloquial at Folkestone, though some of the 

 men speak of them as small " clams." Its long united syphons 

 may suggest resemblance to the clam, but the lengthened shape 

 of the shell, its extreme delicacy, prickled surface, &c., point to 

 its separation. It is generally admitted that, like the Limpet, 

 the foot in Pholas is the active agent or boring tool, supplemented 

 by the syphonal water currents. The empty shells of the White 

 Pholas are now and again found in the shrimper's trawl, even as 

 far as the Nore sands, and they are also met with up the 

 Blackwater, but Kent chalk is their chief domicile. 



Cuttle-Fish Tribe (Uephalopods}. (g) These make capital bait 

 by reason of their tough, fleshy body holding on well to the 

 hook. Our Kent and Essex deep sea liners bait with them 

 when available, whether fresh or salted, the former preferred. 

 The inshore fishers, either in boat or from pier-head, equally 

 patronise squid or octopus as bait. The former specially are 

 found to be a taking bait for cod, whiting, bass, conger and 

 pollack. The various kinds of Cephalopods are preyed upon 

 by several kinds of fishes, &c.,* whilst in their turn they as 



* We have referred to the Hyperoodon and the Cachalot among the Whales as 

 Cuttlefish eaters, antea p. 31 and p. 33. 



