376 ANIMAL FOOD KES0UECES OF DIFFERENT NATIONS. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Animal Food Furnished by the Crustaceans 

 and mollusca. 



Lobsters — Chemical Composition of the Lobster — Trade in, 

 from Norway and Sweden — American Lobster Trade — 

 Canned Lobsters — Cape Lobsters — Lobster Fisheries on the 

 American Shores — Shrimps, varieties of — Prawns — Dried 

 Shrimps — Feasting on Live Shrimps — Crayfish — Crabs, 

 varieties of — Land Crabs — MoUusca — Edible Snails — Lim- 

 pets — Whelks — Periwinkles — Haliotids, or Ear-shells. 



The extensive order of Crustaceans at present fur- 

 nishes but a small number of species which are usually 

 eaten, but there are no doubt many others that might 

 probably be utilised. The common crustaceans are very 

 generally used as food and greatly relished where they 

 can be cheaply obtained. The lobster is most esteemed, 

 but the French prefer the crayfish. Crabs and lobsters 

 are in best condition in warm weather. Shrimps and 

 prawns are other food delicacies furnished by this order. 



Some years ago it was stated in the Illustrated News * 

 that the number of crabs and lobsters annually con- 

 sumed in the metropolis exceeded two millions and a 

 half. Assuming that the populous cities of Liverpool, 

 Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin together consume 

 about the same quantity, we have a total of five 

 millions of these large Crustacea, to say nothing of the 

 millions of shrimps and prawns consumed. 



In Brazil, India, and China, dried shrimps form an 

 extensive article of consumption. They are pounded 

 into a powder with salt and spices. From the port of 



* December 6th, 1862. 



