Indirect and Direct Benefits. 4:3 
certainly inferior to the genuine “ Pyefleet,” yet they are no 
despicable dainties. 
The oyster is a bivalve shell, and there are many others of 
this kind which are edible. Indeed, none of them, so far as 
we know, are positively hurtful; though some, as the Spdn- 
dyli, are harsh and disagreeable, others occasionally act as 
poison at particular seasons or to peculiar constitutions, and 
many are so small or so rare as never to have been used. The 
Pécten maximus, for example, is a much esteemed species ; 
and the clam (Pécten opercularis) is very commonly eaten in 
Scotland. The Anodmia undulata, at Bourdeaux, is considered 
a delicacy ; while, on some parts of the shores of the Mediter- 
ranean, the rocks are broken with large hammers, in order 
to procure the Pholas dactylus, which abounds there, and is 
admired even at the tables of the luxurious. The razor-fish 
(Solen siliqua), common on cur sandy shores, is an article of 
food in many places ; and when they go to its capture, the Irish 
are said to have a song appropriate to the occasion, whence we 
may infer that it is a favourite with them. Ona dish made of the 
animal of the Mya truncata, and named smurslin, the natives of 
Orkney and Zetland delight to sup ; and you know that, from 
many parts of the coast of merry England, great numbers of 
cockles (Cardium edule) (fg. 6.a) are gathered, particularly 
in spring; and, in autumn, an equal number of muscles (My- 
tilus edulis) (4), which are eaten roasted or pickled, or by 
entering into the composition of sauces, add to the govt of more 
substantial viands. 
This catalogue, were it necessary, might easily be extended ; 
but it may be sufficient, in addition, to remark that almost 
every shore has some species peculiar to it, or more plentiful 
than elsewhere, which the natives make subservient to the table. 
Thus, in India, the favourite food bacassan is prepared from 
