ORDER UNIMUSCULOSA. 81 



very rarely, taken place when they have been eaten with 

 vinegar, and they are much more wholesome cooked 

 than otherwise. 



When an individual is musselled, the etTects are very 

 alarming ; the body, head, and face swell to a frightful 

 extent; and, in a few hours, the skin is covered with a 

 bright scarlet eruption ; the cure is attempted by means 

 of an emetic, and afterwards some aromatic drink, and 

 vinegar and water ; this brings on a profuse perspiration, 

 which soon relieves the patient. 



The Mussel is taken by our fishermen for bait, for 

 which purpose it is well adapted. 



In some parts of the Mediterranean great attention is 

 paid to the multiplication of this animal. At the port of 

 Tarento, in the kingdom of Naples, they drive into the 

 sand a number of long poles, to which the spawn of jthe 

 Muscle becomes attached. In the following August, 

 when they have attained the size of almonds, they are 

 taken to the mouth of the brooks and small streams 

 which fall into the gulf; here they are left until October, 

 when they are taken back to the sea, and in the follow- 

 ing Spring they are considered fit to eat. This change 

 from the salt to the fresh water and back again, is said 

 to improve their flavour and colour. Near Rochelle they 

 are preserved in tanks, preserves in which the salt water 

 remains at rest. 



The Giant Tridacna, (Tridacna gigas.) 



The Tridacna gigas is the largest of the bivalve shells ; 

 it is very thick and close in texture, and is said to have 

 been found as much as five hundred pounds in weight. 

 In Catholic countries the shells have been sometimes 

 used as the receptacles for the holy water in the churches, 



