34 EDIBLE BRITISH MOLLUSKS. 



most ancient of the kjokkenmoddings we have in our 

 vicinity is that one which lies within a small wood on 

 the old margin of the Loch of Spynie, and on a sort of 

 promontory formed of those raised shingle beaches so 

 well developed in that quarter. This mound, or rather 

 two mounds (for there is an intervening portion of the 

 ground which has no shells), must have been of consi- 

 derable extent. A rough measurement gives 80 by 30 

 yards for the larger, and 26 by 30 for the smaller por- 

 tion. The most abundant shell is the periwinkle; next 

 in order as to frequency is the oyster, which, as well as 

 those who had it as a large item in their bill of fare, 

 has passed away from our coasts. Save in some of the 

 nooks of our Firth, as at Cromarty, Altirlie, and Avoch, 

 we know not where a small dish of them could be pro- 

 cured. As third in order, in this mound, is the mus- 

 sel, and then the cockle.'^ 



Mr. Gordon further adds that similar refuse-heaps are 

 found all round the shores of the Moray Firth, and that 

 the farmers gradually cart them away to serve as manure 

 or topdressings. 



These shell-mounds. Sir John Lubbock states, are 

 actually called " shelly-meddings " by the fishermen of 

 that district. 



Sir Gardner Wilkinson found large masses of cockle- 

 shells embedded in the ditches of an old British camp 

 or earthwork, called " Nottle Tor," in the seignory of 

 Gower, in Glamorganshire. This camp stands on a high 

 rock above the sea, and at some distance from any dwell- 

 ing-house; the shells therefore are from fish eaten by 

 the ancient Britons. 



Cockle, mussel, and oyster shells are often discovered 

 in great quantities on the sites of Roman stations. 



