Pvn H,i I'UitlS

PINNA. 101
what incurved beaks, and in that state no ribs or strise are
formed. Dr. Walker savs that the Gaelic name of the
shell is " feaskand." Very little appears to be known in
this country as to the animal. Pennant gravely called it
" a slug." Montagu, and recently Mr. Couch, imagined
that it could close the larger end for the same purpose
as that stated by the ancients, viz. to catch little fish !
Many writers have supposed that it can weigh anchor
when it pleases, and remove to a better feeding-ground ;
but it would not seem to be fond (if capable) of changing
its place of abode, unless when very young, and before
it has settled down for life. The worn state of the
beaks and the not unfrequently distorted contour of the
shell show that it lies partly buried in the ground and
continues for a long time in the same place. If it is
it can un-
forcibly torn or driven from its anchorage,
and reattach itself. The
doubtedly spin a new byssus
fibre of this curious appendage or " beard V is tubular
like hair. When dried it is stiff and wiry j
but if used
fresh it is sufficiently flexible to be woven into gloves
and stockings. Tarento is a noted place of manufac-
ture for such articles ; and at our last International
Exhibition a Cornish muff made of this material might
have been seen by those who were disposed to venture
into an obscure gallery in search of the few objects of
natural history for which any space was allotted. Ac-
cording to Verany the byssus is a successful remedy for
the ear-ache : but he does not sav in what manner it is
of more
applied. However, this production is evidently
use to the Pinna than it can be to man. Most other
bivalves are provided with the same apparatus. Reaumur
justly remarked that the sea has her spinners in
the mussels, as the earth has in her caterpillars and
spiders. The animal is said to be good to eat; but it