122 NEW SOUTH WALES 
CHAPTER VIII. 
Other Mollusca. 
Tuer other mollusca of New South Wales are not of much importance 
in an economic point of view. A mussel (I/ytilus hirsutus) is common 
in this harbour, and is eaten by some people. MM. latus (var. Dunkert) 
and J. rostratus are also used, but they are all dangerous articles of 
food at certain times. 
Trochocochlea constricta, Lam., is used as a substitute for the British 
perriwinkle, but it is only consumed to a very smallextent. Our common 
limpet, Patella tramoserica is quite uneatable. In speaking of the shark 
fishery of Tasmania, I have already referred to the animal of a large ear 
shell, Haliotis nevosa, called by fishermen the “ Mutton fish,” which is 
much esteemed by the Chinese. Mr. Chin Ateak, a Chinese merchant 
in Sydney, stated in his evidence before the Royal Commission that he 
was prepared to give 9d. a pound for it in any quantity. As the species 
is abundant on most parts of the coast, the collection of it might form a 
profitable occupation for a number of people. There are other common 
species on the coast. 
The squids or Cephalopods are exceedingly abundant in the harbour 
of Port Jackson and all along the coast. They can be easily caught 
with a line as well as with the seine. 
They might be made a source of considerable. profit for exportation to 
Japan and China, In both of these countries all animal substances of a 
gelatinous character are in great request, and none more than those of 
the cuttle-fish tribe. The fine preparations of cuttle-fish in the Japanese 
Court in the Garden Palace must be fresh in the recollection of every 
one. It appears from the statements of Mr. Chin Ateak, that of the 
Cephalopods of this coast, the “Squid” (Sepioteuthis Australis) is highly 
appreciated, and in consequence highly priced. The cuttle-fish (Sepia) 
is of rather inferior quality, and the “‘Star-fish” of the fishermen 
(Octopus) is not used at all. Some of the latter which frequent the 
harbour are of enormous size. The author purchased two from fishermen 
which measure over 6 feet from tip to tip of the arms, each of which 
has over 800 suckers upon them, making considerably above 6,500 suckers 
for the whole fish! They are excellent eating if properly prepared, and 
a few words about the economical value of cuttle-fishes will here be 
useful. They are taken almost verbatim from Mr. Lee’s excellent work 
on the Octopus. * 
Although the cephalopods are seldom eaten in Great Britain, they are 
appreciated as food by nearly all other maritime nations. Along the 
western coast of France and in the countries bordering on the Medi- 
terranean and Adriatic they form a portion of the habitual sustenance 
of the people, and are regularly exposed for sale in the markets both ina 
fresh and in a dried condition. Salted cuttles and octopus are eaten 
during Lent as commonly as salted cod is brought to table in England 
on Good Friday, and thus prepared generally form a portion of the 
“« The Octopus,” by Henry’Lee, London, 1875, Chapman & Hall. 
