82. Chap. 82. (56.)-Who Invented Preserves For Sea-Snails.

CHAP. 82. (56.)—WHO INVENTED PRESERVES FOR SEA-SNAILS.

Fulvius Lupinus[1] first formed preserves for sea-snails,[2] in the territory of Tarquinii, shortly before the civil war between Cæsar and Pompeius Magnus. He also carefully distinguished them by their several species, separating them from one another. The white ones were those that are produced in the district of Reate;[3] those of Illyria were remarkable for the largeness of their size; while those from Africa were the most prolific; those, however, from the Promontory of the Sun[4] were the most esteemed of all. For the purpose, also, of fattening them, lie invented a mixture of boiled wine,[5] spelt-meal, and other substances; so that fattened periwinkles even became quite an object of gastronomy; and the art of breeding them was brought to such a pitch of perfection, that the shell of a single animal would hold as much as eighty quadrantes.[6] This we learn from M. Varro.

1. Hirpinius is the more common reading. He is mentioned in B. viii. c. 78. If the reading "Lupinus" is adopted, nothing seems to be known of this epicurean trifler.

2. Our periwinkles.

3. See B. iii. c. 17.

4. Off the coast of Africa, see B. v. c. 1. These periwinkles, or sea-snails, are again mentioned in B. xxx. c. 15.

5. "Sapa." Must, or new wine, boiled down to one half, according to Pliny; and one third, according to Varro.

6. The "quadrans" contained three cyathi, and was the fourth part of a sextarius, which consisted of about a pint and a-half; in which case the contents of one of their shells would be no less than fifteen quarts!! A statement to which no credit can be attached, unless, indeed, the sea-snail was something quite different to our periwinkle.