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A DESCRIPTION OF 
1. THE MUSCLE. (Mytilus edulis.) 
LIKE the oyster, the Muscle inhabits a bivalve shell, to 
which it adheres by a strong cartilaginous tie. The shells 
of several Muscles are beautiful. The Muscle possesses the 
property of locomotion, which it performs with the member 
called its tongue ; by this tongue the Muscle gets hold of 
the rock, and by moving it along, is enabled to change 
its situation ; it has also the property of emitting a 
kind of thread, called the byssus, which, fixing the sides 
of the shell upon the ground, answers the purpose of a 
cable, to keep the body of the h'sh steady. 
The Chama, which is akin to the Muscle, was used by 
the ancients to engrave various figures upon, from which 
circumstance those small bas-reliefs, so valued now, have 
obtained among the Italians and collectors the name of 
Cameos. The shells of some of these are decorated with 
red or yellow stripes, diverging from the hinge, and 
spreading to the edges. The Giant Chama has been 
found to weigh more than five hundred pounds, and the 
oyster-like animal within was large enough to furnish a 
meal for one hundred and twenty men. These animals 
in these shells are sometimes called Clams. 
