71 



The Mussel, or Masclu is found everywhere, and 

 also the Pholas dadylus or "sea date." Its native 

 name is Tarala baida or "white date." A Maltese 

 author says that "nature in her bounty to her 

 favourite people of Malta has made even the very 

 stone upon the sea -shore to become pregnant, 

 from whence we draw the delicious sea date." 



It is found in soft limestone below water. 

 One of the two varieties has a white, and the 

 other a brown shell. The latter is highly phos- 

 phorescent. 



Area barbata called Fardocclu or Spardocclu, 

 found on submerged rocks is the most savoury of 

 its tribe. The edible Cockle or Arzel loves the 

 muddy bottom, five varieties of Lucinidae, ten of the 

 genus Venus and nine Tellmidae may also be noted. 

 Mr. Davidson has described some of the Brachiopoda, 

 but many others still await examination and classi- 

 fication. "Terebratula vitrea and T. caput serpentis, 

 with five species of Orthis have been taken in deep 

 water off the islands. Eight species of Ptero- 

 po(/a, of the genera Hyalana, Cleodora, and Odon- 

 tidium" are included in Dr. Caruana's catalogue of 

 Sig. Mamo's collection, to which, together with 

 other previously mentioned works the reader is 

 referred. 



