166 FISH. 



the poorer classes, and I can assure my readers 

 they are by no means despicable as an article of 

 food when properly cooked. There are ten varie- 

 ties of this family found on our coasts. I have 

 no doubt if sought for by dredging an abundance 

 would be taken. In oyster dredging at Spithead, 

 and up Southampton water, from six to a score of 

 whelks are taken at a haul. 



HELIX, OR PERIWINKLE. 



Animals of this genus are all either inhabitants 

 of the land or water. The name t'Ati; implies 

 merely a shell constructed with a spire. The 

 " winkle" is found in great abundance all round 

 our seaboard, and is an especial favourite with 

 the lower orders, being eaten at all their meals. 

 They are collected from the rocks and bays, where 

 they seem to lead .much the same sort of life as 

 their neighbours on land, feeding on various 

 marine plants and small green mossy-looking 



