THE EDIBLE MUSCLE. 5 7 J 



separated without considerable exertion. One spe- 

 cies is gathered, from the depths of the sea, by- 

 divers trained for the purpose, on account of the 

 pearls that are found within the shells. Of these 

 the ancient Romans were extravagantly fond. " It 

 is not enough (says Pliny) to despoil the sea of its 

 riches, in order to gorge our appetites; we must 

 likewise, both men and women, carry them about 

 on our hands, in our ears, upon our heads, and on 

 our whole body," 



THE EDIBLE MUSCLE*. 



This species is found adhering to rocks both in 

 the European and Indian seas ; but it grows to a 

 much greater size between the Tropics than north- 

 ward. It abounds on the British shores, being one 

 of the commonest of all our shells. 



All the muscles have, for an instrument of mo- 

 tion, a tongue or foot capable of considerable elon- 

 gation, and also of being shortened into the form of 

 a heart. This is marked with a longitudinal furrow, 

 and completely enveloped in a sheath formed of 

 transverse and circular fibres of an obscure purple 

 colour. When the animal feels inclined to change 

 its place, it thrusts the foot out of the shell, and 

 raises itself on its edge; then, by reaching this to as 

 great a distance as it will extend, it uses it as a kind 

 of arm, drawing the body up to it, and thus it pro- 

 ceeds till it has found a convenient situation. If the 



• Synonyms,—- Mytilus edulis. Linn. — Common Muscle. 



