The Pen Shells. Sea Wings. Fin Shells 



golden threads of silky texture and extreme fineness. Long ago 

 it was spun and woven into cloth by the people of Mediterranean 

 countries, where Pinna ndbilis is abundant. Robes of marine silk 

 were much desired articles of commerce, under the name "taren- 

 tine." A pair of gloves could be folded away in a walnut shell, 

 and a scarf of considerable size in a snuff-box, so fine and supple 

 were the delicate threads. 



Fishermen, especially off the Sicilian coast, rake these mol- 

 lusks off the rocks in considerable quantities. The byssus is torn 

 off and sold to country women who wash it with soap and card it. 

 In this crude process, much is lost. The threads are spun and 

 woven into fabrics so soft as to rival the finest silks. 



Nowadays this cloth is manufactured in Palermo and Lucca, 

 but chiefly for its rarity. Shawls, scarfs, gloves and stockings, 

 may be seen in great exhibitions as high examples of textile art. 



The web is of a beautiful yellow brown, resembling the 

 burnished gold hue which adorns the backs of some splendid 

 beetles. — Simmonds. 



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