The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-08
GIANT sCALLOPs FOR MIRxET:
Some Curicu. Facts About tho Largest
Edible Moiiusk or This Coast.


Edible Moiiusk or This Coast.
WASHINGTON. Aug. SIT seems rather
strange that the largest edible molusk on the
Atlantic coast OF the United States should up
10 the present time have received no attention
worth mentioning from investigators OF n. hsry
pro blems although the newly developed In
dus,ry OF procuring 1t for market already enl-
ploys considerable capital along tho shore OF
Maine and yields great quantities OF a highly
esteemed and valuable food product.
The shsllfsh referred TO. known rs tho giant
scallop. Is the subject OF monograph Just is
sued by the Fish Commission here. with view
TO encouraging pursuit Of it for marks. The
word pursuit" may be appropriately en-
p'oyed. inasmuch as the creature not only has
powers OF locomotion but is able TO travel
pretty RAPIDLY BY the simple process OF quickly
closing its valves. SO as to forcibly throw out
the water between them. thus propelllng itself
in the opposite direction by q series Of short
jerks. The sight Of a echool OF scallops NOV
Ing in unison through tho waves Is said to DO
very striking one. Even fishermen witness
1t seldom, but 1t ia observed that from time to
time whole beds OF them arc transferred from
one place to another 1t IL said that the oys.
ter once upon time possessed this interest
ing and Useful accom- i.hment OF free swim.
ming. which 1t still otalns during tho earliest
stage OF its being. BY The scallop the faculty
ia probably exercised for the purpose Of seek-
ing new feeding grounds or water Of . more
congen al temperature.
From the point OF view OF tho student OF ma.
ture the giant scallop Is a very beautiful OBJ
ject Its fan-liks shells are exqnisitely made.
the mantle Of the animal within conforming to
the crtnkied edges So as I" pre-, ent tho al pear
ahce OF heica,e rul!ie or ,rlli. This mantle
is thin and almost traIspate ont mem brane.
n
ilam' nts. These iilamen,s. when examined
H MSr peMSrlH sr9sSepe are seen to 30
ter, when the, creature is nlive ana with valves
the water, generating by their action a system
Of currents hy which the surface OF tho gill, is
and other small nusr,uou s articles That serss
five AMI nali inches. although occasional
Az ysers. ma i 4 ioanI all the way from
boaIder-,, though. doubtless, unwilinelS. Its
shs i by sEs
oyster crab As in the case of the, latter. tho
female s;alop crabs alo 9 share the house o!
Zines neatly a p,at Of tIese s%s!l lady Grabs crabs
many AS ten hiding away in tho gill cavity OF
u sinGl 10 specimen. mite Of n .lsh al o is fire.
uuently found in the scallop shell, where it has
Maine has only been Carried on for Ave or six
Of considerable inheritance at a number OF
points. notably at Cas'ine. where packing
in up ao In s1ss at 4s
was overcome by trying tbs. them rreliminarily:
5000 gallons OF the edible. portions Of tho
she!lnsh N the clear. Only the mu;oularE
uct: Boo,hbay: westDort: ,Sonthnori: Edss:
comb. and ueorgetown are likewise important
els equivalent 70 n0OD gallons Of meat There
t.rs. 10 ysrious ocalities on tho Maine cosst.
Available When 70 the e IS % ans
dow% las. lsh.T%sa vi! not - long il apply
is s"ine,hins like a small oyster dredxe; ~ -
Atwatsr demons, rate tina; srallops surpass All
other shellfsh in tho cree rtsEe OF nutritious
elements which they zee 1t L Interesting
purpose Of establishing the, relative propor-
tions Of such elements IN the v.,rious edibe
gently sugeeste1 that tho 3O.0O0 gallons OF
Wous ~ she
Upon returning from the fishing grounds
with u catch. tho fishermen dump tho scaops
and children OF their families to open the she'll
fish. The meals are PLACED In tuckets and
boxes for shipment to market, beinR ken, in
points Some shippers soak thor product In
water for a few hours before sending it OIL. by
Us to ma. nearly two gallons out OF ono. But.
unless the meats so trented are sold quickly
surplus OF water hy evaporation and become
inferior in quality. B. stop 1. at present the
PRINCIPAL market for scallops. receiving almost
tho entire output.
The beauty OF tho scallop shells has secured
for them a demand with artists and others
terror. They are also employed in tho max in
al Iincushions aud similar ornaments such
dinner parties the search for the unique has
suggeste tho substitution OF the fan Oh sped
valves for plates in serving many food prerara-
pnnohscot REGION, XhaI Q thay ara amplo 70 for