69 



snail." The genus Cerithium is represented every- 

 where, and adds to our food supplies, preferring 

 shallow waters with a sandy bottom* Its repre- 

 sentatives are popularly styled Brancutlu. 



The Turret Shells can boast of a Scalaria, and 

 two species of Vermetus, one of which bears the 

 name of Farrett, are tolerably common in the Great 

 Harbour. Litorina neritoides is plentiful all along 

 the shore, and also upon the stones and sides of 

 the brackish canal at the Marsa, and several vari- 

 eties of Rissoa will be found at Marsascala, San 

 Tommaso, and Bir-zebbugia. Hydrobia uluoe is com- 

 mon amongst seaweed, as is also Neritina viridit. 

 The pretty Wreath Shells are also numerous. We may 

 note Phasianella speciosa with its two varieties, 

 one almost entirely red, and the other milk white. 

 The Top Shells or Carriers are common both as. to 

 living and fossil specimens. Of the Ear Shells 

 Haliotis tuberculata is eaten by the Sicilians. Its 

 Maltese name is Mhara Imperiala. It- is found 

 everywhere attached to stones in deep water. Jan- 

 ihina bicolor is rarely taken except at St. Julian's 

 Bay. 



Several varieties of limpets are eagerly collected 

 for the table, their Maltese name being Mhara, 

 and the Crepidula unguiformis known as Papocc 

 or "slippers" represents the Calyptraeidae, as the 

 Xifa tal bahar or "sea-thread" does the Tooth Shells. 

 Chiion cajetanus abounds in the Great Harbour. 



