^90 



SHELL-FISH. 



muscles, of which there are two sorts : the Choro (Mytilus 

 Choras, Molina), and Cholgua (Mytilus Mogellanicus, La- 

 marck J, Picos (Balanus psittacus nob. Lepas psittacus Mo- 

 lina, 1, p. 223 ), a large barnacle,* and the oyster (O. Edulis), 

 which is exceedingly well-flavoured. Besides which there are 

 several kinds of shell-fish of less value, but equally abundant, 

 such as Navajuelas (Solen sp.) ; Caracoles (Turbo) ; Cornes 

 (Pholas ChiloensiSf Molina) ; Campana {Calyptrced) ; Lapas 

 (Crepidula) ; Tacas (Chama Thaca, Molina) ; Locos {Cori- 

 cholepas Peruviana^ Murex Loco of Molina); Quilmagues; 

 Piures (Pyura sp. Molina) ; and others. 



The apparently inexhaustible abundance of shell-fish with 

 which nature has provided the inhabitants of these islands, the 

 facility with which they are obtained, and their consequent 

 cheapness, is the principal cause of that want of industry 

 which is so remarkable in the Chilotes. 



Of the above-mentioned shell-fish, those deserving more par- 

 ticular notice are the large muscle, the oyster, and the pico. 



Molina has described the choro of Concepcion, which is not 

 at all different from that of Childe. It is often found seven 

 or eight inches long. The fish is as large as a goose''s egg, and 

 of a very rich flavour: there are two kinds, one of a dark brown, 

 and the other of a yellow colour ; but the last is most esteemed. 

 There is also another sort, much larger than the choro, yet 

 equally delicate and good, the fish of which is as large as a 

 swanks egg: it is called cholgua; but as the shells seem to be of 

 the same species, I think the distinction can only be owing to 

 size. In Febres^s Dictionary of the Chileno language, the word 



constitutes a new genus. Mcmnula, nob. in Zool. Journal, vol. v. p. 343. 

 It was found on the wooden piles which support the mole in the bay of 

 San Carlos, below the wash of the high water. The mole stands out into 

 the sea, and there is no fresh water near it, save a very little rill, which 

 discharges its tiny stream more than fifty yards off. This shell was named 

 Marinula Pepitn, Zool. Journal, 1. c. No. 43. The following is its generic 

 character: — 'Testa ovato-producta, sub-solida; apertura ovata, Integra; 

 columella bidentata et basin versus uniplicata; dentibus magnis sub- 

 remotis conniventibus, superiori maximo; operculum nullum,' 

 * Zool. Journal, vol. v. p. 333. 



