MOLLUSCA. 1 65 



The genus Mytilus is pretty numerous in species, 

 most of which are used as food in different countries. 

 Mytilus choros is a large mussel, seven or eight 

 inches long, found on the coasts of the island 

 of Chiloe, on those of South America, etc. The 

 animal is as large as a goose's egg, and is said to 

 be of a fine flavour. There is another variety still 

 larger. The natives cook them in the following 

 manner : A hole is dug in the earth, in which 

 large smooth stones are placed ; upon these stones 

 a fire is made, and when they are sufficiently heated, 

 the ashes are cleared away, the mussels are heaped 

 upon the stones, and covered over first with leaves 

 and straw, then with earth, and left to stew. This 

 appears, from certain accounts, to be not only an 

 ingenious, but very superior mode of cooking 

 mollusca. 



In our Mytilus edulis small pearls are frequently 

 found I shall have something to say on pearls 

 presently and in the month of November the 

 small Pea-crab (Pinnotheria) is often seen in their 

 shells. 



M' ytilusMagellanicus, which inhabits the southern 

 coast of South America, is a mussel four or five 

 inches long, whose flesh is well flavoured and 

 nutritious. Its shell is easily recognized by its 

 longitudinal furrows. 



Other species, such as Mytilus area of my friend 



