FOOD FROM THE MOLLUSCA AND RADIATA. 443 



name of bitoig (pronounced bitotche) or violet, of which 

 considerable quantities are taken daily. It is believed 

 to have special properties against affections of the chest, 

 and marvellous cures are attributed to it. It can be kept 

 fresh out of the water several days. Many of the ascidians, 

 or sea squirts, are esteemed as articles of food in Brazil, 

 China, and the Mediterranean. 



M. Charles Bretagne, in a report on Edible MoUusca 

 to the Paris Society of Acclimatation, observes, " The 

 sepia is a cephalopod which is eaten in many localities, 

 and on our coasts from the ocean to the Mediterranean. 

 Although very abundant in our seaports, it is to be 

 regretted that it is not brought to Paris. Its repulsive 

 aspect in its raw state has hitherto kept it from our 

 tables, which yet encourage frogs. It only requires to 

 be disguised to become an agreeable and wholesome 

 food, according to the manner in which it is prepared. 

 I have made successful efforts in this direction, and have 

 marinaded some, after bleaching them in boiling water, 

 and my guests were satisfied with them as hors-d'oeuvre." 



The polypus or octopus is fished for at Tunis, and is 

 exported to the Levant and the Greek market during 

 Lent, there being no prohibition against them in the 

 orthodox Church. In a good year about 6,200 cwt. are 

 obtained, and they fetch from 6d. to Is. 3d. a pair. Pre- 

 pared octopi are higher in price, as they have to be 

 macerated by beating them on a slab, then salted and 

 dried. Octopus brevipes, Orb., is eaten in Norway. 



Octopus vulgaris is dried, and under the name of Tako, 

 is exported from Japan. Eledonne octopodia smaller, and 

 a Sepia, known as Ika, LoKgo sagitatta, and Echinus escu- 

 kntus, under the name of " Uni," are all eaten in Japan 

 and China. The Sepia is very abundant on the coasts 

 of Cochin China and Tonkin. It is much esteemed by 

 the rich there, who eat it with their tea. It sells at 

 one shilling and sixpence the pound. 



Of the fiadiata or Echinodermata there are only two 

 requiring prominent mention here, the common sea-egg 

 or sea-urchin and the Holothurididce. Of the former 



