454 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 Arctice Norvegie, 1878; Friele’s Den Norske 
Nordhavs Expedition, Mollusca; ete. 
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 (Mya 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 truncata), 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 pickled 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 
