Class VI. SHELLS. 103 



is needlefs. Varies in fize in different places. 

 This is figured with an Anomia on it, No. 70. B. 



Britain has been noted for oyfters from the time 

 of Juvenal % who fatyrizing an epicure, fays. 



Circus nata forent, an 

 Lucrinum ad Saxum, Rutupinove edita fundo, 

 Oftrea, callebat prima deprendere morfu. 



He, whether Circe's rock his oyfters bore, 

 Or Lucrine lake, or diftant Rich borough' 5 ihore 

 Knew at firft tafte 



The luxurious Romans were very fond of this 

 fifh, and had their layers or flews for oyfters, as 

 we have at prefent. Sergius Grata -f- was the firfl 

 inventor, as early as the time of L. Craj/us the 

 orator. He did not make them for the fake of 

 indulging his appetite, but through avarice, and 

 made great profits from them. Grata got great 

 credit for his Lucrine oyfters , for, fays Pliny, the 

 Britijh were not then known. 



The antients eat them raw, and fometimes 

 roafted. They had alio a cuftom of ftewing them 

 with mallows and docks, or with fiili, and efteemed 

 them very nourishing t. 



Britain (till keeps its fuperiority in oyfters over 



* Satyr, iv, V. 140. f Plin. Nat. Hifi.Iib. ix.. c. 54. 



% jttbcnaus, lib. ill. p. gz, 



H 4 other 



