430 ANIMAL FOOD RESOURCES OF DIFFERENT NATIONS. 



Several species of Mya are used as food both in Britain 

 and on the Continent, as M. arenaria, known to the fisher- 

 men about Southampton by the whimsical name of 

 " old maids." In some parts of England and Ireland they 

 are much used. Another species (M. truncata), known to 

 the inhabitants of the northern islands as " smurslin," is 

 eaten boiled as a supper dish. It is not so delicate as 

 some other shell-fish, but is by no means unpalatable. 

 In the San Francisco market clams are sold at two 

 shillings the hundred. 



The round hard shell clams or quahogs ( Venus tner- 

 cenaria, Mercenaria violacea, and M. kennicottii) are almost 

 as abundant on the American coast as the soft clam, and 

 rival that moUusk as an article of food. They are also 

 known as " little necks." In summer the consumption 

 of these in the cities of New York and Philadelphia is 

 very considerable, much greater than that of the Mya 

 arenaria. Like the latter, sold in their natural condition 

 or out of the shell, they furnish many excellent dishes, 

 the most esteemed of which is clam chowder. Many 

 persons eat the smaller specimens raw, and when 

 flavoured with a few drops of lemon juice, they are as 

 palatable as the clovisses {Ta^es sp.), and the " paires 

 doubles " ( Venus verrucosa), which are the especial 

 favourites of the people of Marseilles. 



Large quantities of shell-fish, especially clams and 

 mussels, are eaten, both raw with vinegar and pepper, 

 and boiled in milk, in America, France, and also in 

 Spain and Portugal, and are a cheap and healthy food. 



Several species of Tapes are 'eaten in different countries 

 as T. pullastra, T. decussata, T. virginea, T. staminea and T. 

 aurea. In England they pass under the name of " pullet " 

 or " cullyock," in France as " clovisse " and " palourde." 

 By some they are considered richer and better than 

 cockles. It is a favourite dish at Continental seaports. 

 They sell at Bordeaux for threepence the hundred. At 

 Vigo thousands are gathered at every tide. 



Some species of Tellina are used as food abroad. In 

 Iceland Psammohia vesputina is eaten, and P. gari in India. 



