FOOD FROM THE MOLLUSOA AND RADIATA. 435 



but not generally appreciated; the razor fish (Solen 

 vagina and S. siliqua), which are broiled or made into a 

 sort of soup. The first-named Solen is excellent, but the 

 second has rather a disagreeable taste. Then follow 

 Mactrea lactea, Poli, and M. stultorum, Lin., Tellina fragilis, 

 Lin., a very savoury food, Psammobia vespertina. Lam., 

 Scrobicularia piperata, Gm. This last is abundant in the 

 markets, and is made into a kind of soup. Many species 

 of Venus are eaten, as V. lactea, Poli, V. verrucosa, V. decus- 

 sata, and V. aurea, Lin., V. virginea, Gm., V. longone, 

 01., and V. gallina. Cytherea chione is also much esteemed 

 for its agreeable taste. 



The mussels most prized in Italy are those obtained 

 about the arsenal of Venice ; Modiola harhata, Lin., is fre- 

 quently met with in the markets. Lithodomus Kthophagus 

 is less frequently seen, but is a very agreeable food. 

 Pinna nohiUs and Area noae are also eaten, as well as many 

 species of scallops, as Pecten polyniorphus, Bronn, P. varius, 

 P. glaber, Lin., and P. jacobceus. Lam. All these, either 

 boiled or seasoned with oil and pepper, are considered 

 excellent food. Some other kinds of edible mollusca may 

 be named, viz., Lima inflata. Lam., and one or two species 

 of SpondylviS. 



There are scarcely any molluscous animals of much 

 economic importance in Australia. Two species of 

 oysters are commonly used for food in Sydney, and are 

 shipped to Melbourne. The Venus strigosa is sold in the 

 fish-shops under the erroneous name of " cockle," and the 

 Limetta undulata is eaten by persons near the coast 

 under the equally incorrect name of " winkles." 



Among the preparations of mollusks usdd are the dried 

 abalones {Haliotis sp.), already mentioned, used by the 

 Chinese and Japanese, dried siphons of Schizothcenus, pre- 

 pared by the Indians of the north-west coast of America, 

 and dried slugs {Limax, etc.), used by other Indians. 



There are doubtless many other kinds of edible mol- 

 lusca besides those already mentioned, which are or 

 might be made available as food for' man, native and, 

 civilised. 



FF 2 



