12 



community, and to Misers, tins crawfish is a regular 

 God-send, and it is dried occasionally for preservation. 

 Another Crustacea, a kind of Palcemon (Graneel, Shrimp) 

 though small, is very good eating. 



Amongst the Mollusca, none are more eagerly caught, 

 and none have such a deserved reputation as Haliotis 

 Midae Lin. (Klipkous; Sea-ear), and a species of Stomatia 

 (Paarlmoer). In Cape Town, these oceanic productions, 

 which, by the bye, require a great deal of preparation, 

 seasoning and ingredients before they reach the dinner 

 table, are pronounced to be the most exquisite dainty, — 

 the very pitch of delicacy. Cape Oysters (chiefly from 

 Mossel Bay), are good, but, upon the whole, inferior to 

 those in Europe. There still remain some muscles to 

 be mentioned, which are collected at times, and sold 

 as articles of food, viz : the Mytilus edulis. Lin., the 

 well-known edible muscle of Europe, and Donacc den- 

 ticulata. Lin., called Witte Mossels (white muscles), 

 which latter is innocuous at some seasons, but venomous 

 at others. In the course of my practice, I have had 

 occasion to observe the bad effects, produced by the 

 unguarded use of this animal. These were : violent 

 fever, a general erythema of the skin, perpetual, almost 

 intolerable itching, total want of sleep, vomiting and 

 diarrhoea. 



By some Cape inhabitants, several large species of 

 Patella (Paardevoetjes, Limpets), and a kind of Nerita 

 (Aardkiuipers), are also made use of, as a palatable 

 and nutritious dish. 



Having thus far accomplished the task I had in view, 

 when writing this essay, nothing remains, but to solicit 

 indulgence from the public, and forbearance from critics, 

 referring them all to the motto on the title page, which 

 simply implies, that they must take the will for the deed. 



Cape Town, 26th April 1853. 



