324 ' CUM GKANO SALTS/ 



of feeling is so acute, that the faintest vibration of 

 the earth around causes the creature to retire alarmed 

 within his dwelling. 



In many places the Solen is mucn sought after by 

 the poor, who esteem it a great luxury. In foreign 

 countries Japan, for example it is so highly 

 prized that we are told, ' by express order of the 

 prince of that country, it is forbid to fish them until 

 a sufficient quantity hath been provided for the 

 emperor's table.' 



The Irish people, when they go out to catch the 

 Solen siliqua, have an appropriate song and chorus 

 which they sing, but whether to amuse themselves or 

 charm the fish ' this deponent sayeth not/ for very 

 obvious reasons. In general, I should think the less 

 noise the more likelihood of success to those en- 

 deavouring to capture this animal. 



* Who has not seen the picture of the stupid-look- 

 ing boy going warily out with a box of salt, having 

 been gravely informed by some village wag that if 

 he would only just drop a pinch of salt on the birds' 

 tails he would be sure to catch them. We are all 

 familiar enough with this venerable joke, but not so 

 with its successful application in another case. This 

 time it is the fisherman, instead of the village boy, 

 who carries the box. He cautiously slips a little salt 

 into the hole, which irritates the ends of the siphons, 

 and makes the Solen come quickly out to see what 

 is the matter, and clear itself of this painful intru- 



