444 ANIMAL FOOD RESOURCES OF DIFFERENT NATIONS. 



several species are eaten, among others Echinus esculentus, 

 E. sphcera, MuUer, and E. granulosus. 



Sea-urchins crowd in vast numbers all around the 

 shores of Europe, Africa, and the East Indies ; they feed 

 upon crabs and sea-nettles, and are, in return, eaten by 

 millions. Their bright saifron-yellow bodies may be 

 seen in every market from the Ganges to the Loire, and 

 from Benares to Marseilles. They furnish an ample pro- 

 portion of the daily bread of the lower classes. 



In Naples they are especially valued just before they 

 deposit the roe, as the aggregate egg-masses are termed, 

 being larger and in as much repute as the soft roe of the 

 herring. They are highly esteemed by the inhabitants 

 of ChUi, the Faro Islands and other districts, and are 

 usually eaten raw like oysters, being cut into four 

 quarters, and the flesh eaten with a spoon. When cooked 

 this becomes red like crab, and is said to resemble it in 

 flavour. In the Italian markets, near the rocky coasts 

 of Italy, may often be seen baskets of sea-urchins (Echini), 

 of which the following species are commonly eaten. 

 Echinus melo, E. Uvidus, E. brevispinosus, E. saxatilis, and 

 E. coclenterata. 



Two species of anemone used as food in Italy are 

 commonly known under the name of " Ogliole," they 

 are Actinia viridis and A. equina. 



Trepang or Beche-de-Mer. — In all that pertains to a 

 due appreciation of sea-worms — if that term is admis- 

 sible — the Chinese' must be acknowledged as feast- 

 masters. They ascribe to mollusks peculiar virtues, and 

 pay most extravagant sums for their favourite kinds. 

 Among these the trepang holds probably the first rank 

 — an ugly, shapeless, fearfully-smelling Holothuria of 

 Eastern seas. Thousands of Malay, English, and American 

 vessels are annually busy in those waters catching the 

 disgusting, worm-shaped animal. Its principal homes 

 are the coral-banks of the South Sea and Australian 

 waters, but Chinese fishermen go as far as New Guinea, 

 and American ships to the Caroline Islands, in pursuit of 

 this favourite of the Chinese taste. The greatest market 



