194 BIVALVE|A 



inches distant from each other at the centre. At 

 one end is a hollow handle, in which a pole is 

 fixed, at the other is a ring, to which a cord is 

 fastened. When a Pinna is discovered, the iron 

 is let down slowly over the shell, which is then 

 twisted round and drawn out. When a suffi- 

 cient number have been caught, the silk is cut 

 off, and after being twice soaked in tepid water, 

 and once in soap and water, is spread out to dry 

 in some cool and shady place. Whilst it is yet 

 moist, it is again softly rubbed and separated 

 with the hand, and then spread out again. When 

 thoroughly freed from moisture," it is drawn 

 through a comb with the teeth wide apart, and 

 afterwards through a similar instrument, with 

 finer and closer teeth. The more common silk 

 is thus prepared, but that which is destined for 

 finer works, is afterwards drawn through closer 

 iron combs or cards. It is spun, two or three of 

 the threads being mixed with one of real silk, 

 and then knitted into gloves, stockings, and 

 even whole garments. When the piece is knitted, 

 it is washed in clean water mixed with lemon 

 juice, gently beaten between the hands, and 

 smoothed with a warm iron. The shells of the 

 Pinna are often ornamented with elevated longi- 

 tudinal ribs, crossed by striae, sometimes ter- 

 minated by imbricated arched scales, or pro- 

 minent tubular spines. Some of the young 

 shells of this genus are less than an inch in 

 length, whilst the'adults often exceed three feeti 

 The Pinna as well as the Muscle, was much 



