6 
lifeless solitudes." The inaccuracy of this statement will shortly be made mani- 
fest. Dr. Wallich, from the soundings in the North Atlantic Ocean, in I860, 
obtained mollusca from the extraordinary depth of 680 fathoms, which is about 
three-quarters of a mile. He also obtained living star-fish (ophiocoma) at a depth 
of 1300 fathoms, or one mile and a half. It is therefore quite probable that the 
whelk ranges from the shore to the greatest depths of the North Atlantic Ocean. 
It would be extremely interesting and useful to science if, in any similar expedition 
to that which Dr. Wallich accompanied, the first fifty fathoms of the sounding 
line were converted into a fishing line ; hooks could be fastened on at every fathom 
and baited, similarly to a cod fishing line. When the sounding was determined, 
fifty fathoms of slack could be paid out and allowed to remain for an hour or so. 
By this means fishes, mollusca, and other animals might be found which are at 
present unknown, and our knowledge of the geographical and bathymetrical range 
of species be increased. The Hydrographer General would no doubt smile if he 
heard these remarks ; nevertheless I fully believe such a plan would give very 
valuable scientific results. 
4th. — General remarks. 
The whelk has for many centuries been known and esteemed as an article of 
food. The Romans apparently acquired a liking for it, as whelk and oyster shells 
have been found at Richborough and other Roman stations. Formerly it was 
held in higher esteem than it is now. Dr. Johnston narrates that when William 
Warham was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury, 800 whelks at five shillings 
per 1000 were bought for the enthronization feast. This was on the 9th of March, 
1504. The quality of whelks as an article of food varies considerably. In some 
districts they are rank and of unpleasant flavour. Thos3 caught in the Sandwich 
Flats near Ramsgate, and at Grimsby, Harwich, and Whitstable are considered by 
connoiseurs to be the best. Last year evidence was given before a Committee of 
the House of Commons that .£12,000 worth of whelks are yearly captured on a 
sandbank in Whitstable Bay. 
Messrs. Baxter and Sons, of Billingsgate, very kindly gave me the following 
statistics, which formed a part of their evidence to the Royal Fishery Commis- 
sioners, in 1863 : — 
Quantity of Mollusca yearly sent to the London Markets. 
A sack weighs 200 lbs. A bushel of whelks weighs 84 lbs., of winkles 100 lbs. 
The following table will also no doubt be interesting to the Society : — 
Quantity of Dutch and English Shrimps yearly sent to 
the London Markets. 
Whelks - 
Winkles - 
Muscles - 
1843. 
- 37,000 Bushels. 
- 46,000 
- 26,000 Sacks. 
Whelks 
Winkles 
Muscles 
1863. 
- 37,000 Bushels. 
- 40,000 
- 20,000 Sacks. 
Dutch 
English - 
1843. 
• None. 
- 72,000 Gallons. 
Dutch - - 144,000 Gallons. 
English - - 144,000 „ 
Chiefly from Leigh and Harwich. 
1863. 
