PHOLAS MUSSEL COCKLE. 91 



latter number, there will be consumed in Edinburgh 

 and Leith about 400,000 mussels." * 



These interesting statistics will be new, I am sure, 

 to many of my readers. 



As regards the consumption of the Mytilw edulis 

 in Edinburgh and Leith, I believe the number above 

 stated is far over the mark. In fact, since the magis- 

 trates of Leith, some years ago, prohibited the use of 

 the Mussel as food, in consequence of several persons 

 becoming ill from eating some which were collected 

 at the docks, there has been a decided prejudice 

 entertained against them. 



I may mention, in confirmation of this statement, 

 that at Joppa and Wardie, myriads of Mussels are to 

 be seen, in many places so thickly clustered together 

 that a knife-blade cannot be passed between them; 

 yet there is hardly ever a person seen gathering any 

 for use. Such being the case, it does not seem pro- 

 bable that the poor (who, of course, are the only class 

 that are likely to eat this fish) would buy that article 

 of food, which, if they thought proper, they could 

 gather at no cost. 



There is another bivalve which I would strongly 

 recommend to my readers as deserving attention, viz., 

 the Common Cockle (Cardium edule). I need hardly 

 say that it is to be found in equal numbers on our 

 shores as the Mytilus edulis. The distinguishing 

 feature of this animal is its surprising agility; and, 

 however improbable this character may seem upon 

 * Dr Knapp, in Forbes and Hanley. 



