150 risn. 



OSTREA MAXIMA, SCALLOP, OR 

 ESCALLOPPE. 



These very delicious shell-fish are much sought 

 for in some places, being considered a "bonnc- 

 bouche" by those people who " live to eat." The 

 shells of these animals were formerly used by 

 pilgrims as a badge, and were worn in their hat 

 or on their cloak. In the Western Islands the 

 shallow valves were anciently used at feasts for 

 plates, and the hollow ones for drinking cups, 

 to which use these last are still applied. They 

 are in general caught by dredging in sandy ground 

 where a sharp tide runs, and in greatest abun- 

 dance just after a fall of snow, when an immense 

 number of boats may be seen, with, in general, 

 two men in each, dredging at a great rate; they 

 often catch oysters, whelks, &c., at the same 

 time, but the catches are very partial, some boats 

 securing several dozen, and others only one or 

 two. The're are several varieties of this fish, some 

 peculiar to foreign countries. One, which is small, 

 is found on the Devonshire coast, and also Corn- 



