480 APPENDIX III 



There are many other works bearing on the Mollusca of Labrador, 

 including Gould's Invertebrata of Massachusetts (2 ed.), 1870; Sars's 

 Mollusca Regionis Arcticce Norvegice, 1878; Friele's Den Norske 

 Nordhavs Expedition, Mollusca; etc. 



The following remarks are based partly on the above papers, 

 and partly on a collection of shells made by Mr. Owen Bryant 

 during the summer of 1908. A partial study of these adds several 

 species to the fauna. Very little is said by writers in regard to 

 the mollusks of this region being used for food. The common 

 clam (My a arenaria) is reported plentiful in the more southern 

 portions, but, living in deeper water, it is no doubt more difficult 

 to obtain than in more southern latitudes, while in the more north- 

 ern portions of the coast it is probably rare or wanting. The 

 truncated clam (Mya truncatd), a closely related species, but 

 apparently less abundant, extends farther northward than the 

 common clam. The habit of these two species of burying deep 

 in the mud and sand, with only their long siphons extending to 

 the surface, makes it practically impossible to obtain them by 

 dredging, while flats exposed at low tide and subject to freezing 

 would be too cold for their existence. A smaller shell related to 

 the Mya is the little nestling shell (Saxicava arctica), which, living 

 in various-shaped cavities in the rocks, etc., is therefore frequently 

 very irregular in form. They usually measure about an inch, 

 though sometimes reach an inch and a half in length. 



There are two scallops which frequent the waters of this region. 

 The great scallop (Pecten magellanicus) , locally known by the name 

 of "pussel," is found in the Strait of Belle Isle. It is excellent 

 eating, the large adductor muscle being removed and fried in lard 

 or butter. The Iceland scallop (Pecten islandica) is found along 

 the entire coast in from ten to fifty fathoms ; it is also doubtless 

 good eating, but more difficult to obtain. The edible mussel 

 (Mytilus edulis) is reported from the entire coast ; it spins numer- 

 ous silken threads called the byssus, by which it attaches itself to 

 various objects. In some places it is extensively used for food, 

 usually boiled and pfckled in spiced vinegar. The horse mussel 

 (Modiolus modiolus) is found in the more southern part ; it also spins 

 a byssus and nestles in chinks and cavities. The great seaweed, 

 'or kelp (Laminaria digitata), frequently attaches to this shell 

 and, after attaining its great size, the force of currents and waves 

 tears the shell from its mooring and carries it to other places, or it 

 is ruthlessly cast upon the beach to die. Two other mussels are 

 commonly dredged, the black mussel (Modiolaria nigra), and the 

 discordant mussel (Modiolaria discors), with part of the valves 

 ribbed and part smooth. 



Two species of cockles, or heart-shells, are commonly associated 



