Economic Uses of Shells, and their Inhabitants. 163 



I have not been able to ascertain the consumption of 

 mussels in London, but in Edinburgh and Leith it is estimated 

 at 400 bushels annually. Dr. Knapp states that from thirty 

 to forty millions are collected yearly in the Firth of Forth 

 alone, and used as bait for the deep-sea fishery. They form 

 no small item of consumption in the north of Ireland; boats- 

 full being constantly sent to the Belfast market. 



The common cockle (Gardium edule) is largely used in 

 many parts of England for food. It is obtained at extreme 

 low water on all sandy shores, living buried beneath the sand. 



Many other species of bivalve mollusca are eaten abroad ; 

 for example, in North America, " hard fi and u soft clams * 

 (My a and Lutraria) ; whilst the giant clam (Tridacna gig as) 

 of the Indian Ocean, the shell of which often weighs upwards 

 of 500 lbs., contains an animal weighing sometimes 20 lbs., 

 which is stated by Captain Cook to be very good eating. 



The Mactras are eaten by the star- fishes and whelks, and 

 in the Island of Arran Mactra subtruncata is collected at low 

 water to feed pigs upon. 



Gnathodon cuneatus — a shell nearly allied to Mactra — was 

 formerly eaten by the Indians. 



The Solens, or " razor-fishes," are excellent articles of food 

 when cooked. 



The Patella, or rock-limpet, is much used by fishermen for 

 bait. On the coast of Berwickshire nearly twelve millions 

 have been collected yearly, until their numbers are so de- 

 creased, that collecting them has become tedious. In the 

 north of Ireland they are used for human food, especially in 

 seasons of scarcity. Many tons weight are collected annually 

 near the town of Larne alone. (Patterson.) 



The "oyster-catcher" (Haematopus ostralegus), a well- 

 known sea-shore bird, does not subsist upon the oyster, as its 

 name implies, but chiefly upon the rock-limpet. The adroit- 

 ness which he displays in undermining these, far exceeds the 

 rapidity of the most practised oyster-opener at a London 

 fishmonger's. 



The Haliotis abounds on the shores of the Channel Islands, 

 where it is called the " Ormer," and is cooked, after being well 

 beaten to make it tender. It is also eaten in Japan. 



The whelk (Buccinum) is dredged for the market, and is 

 also used as bait by fishermen. Many tons' weight of whelks 

 are annually consumed in the streets of the poorer parts of 

 London. 



The "buckie" (Fusus antiquus) is extensively caught in 

 Scotland for the markets, being more highly esteemed than 

 the Buccinum. It is the ' ( roaring- buckie," in which the sound 

 of the sea may always be heard. 



