MUSSELS, Marine. The marine mussels belong to a family (Mytilidee) of bivalve mol lusks which have the anterior retractor muscles very small, the posterior large and the two valves of the shell equal and covered by a thick horny layer. Numerous species occur in all seas, and, because of the comparative delicacy of their flesh, and their habit of forming im mense beds, many are of commercial import ance. Foremost in this respect is the edible mussel (Mytilus edulis) which has a smooth, dark-colored, wedge-shaped shell with the umbos or beaks exactly at the hinge end. This species is circumpolar in its distribution, and on our Atlantic coast extends southward to North Carolina. Wherever rocky reefs, piles or other suitable objects for attachment occur at low water, combined with currents for bringing food, this mollusk multiplies into extensive colonies. In Europe it is valued such more highly than in this country, where it is chiefly. used for bait, although considerable quantities are canned in New York. Under certain con ditions mussels seem to be poisonous. Besides the fisheries on natural beds this mussel is regularly cultivated in France by methods akin to those used in European oyster culture. The genus Modiola, containing the so-called horse mussels, is distinguished by the more oblong shell inflated toward the hinge end, from Which the umbos, though close, are quite distinct. The best-known one (M. ntodiolus) is a large species distinguished by the nearly unribbed surface and the coarse hairy epidermis. It has nearly the distribution" of the Mytilus, and abounds in the north on rocky shores at low water and below to a considerable depth. Modiolo plieatula is distinctly ribbed and has a thinner epidermis. This is an American species which ranges from Nova Scotia to Georgia and is extremely abundant at low water on the mud flats of the New Jersey coast, where it is doubt less effective in the upbuilding of sedimentary areas. These two species are less valued for food than the Mytilus, but are largely utilised in certain localities as fertilizers. Consult Goode, 'Fishery Industries of the United States,' Sec. 1 (1884) ; Cooke, (Mollusca) (London 1895) ; or any other work on mollusks.
MUSSET, Louis Charles Alfred de, French author: b. Paris, 11 Dec. 1810; d. there, 2 May 1857. His father was a man of letters who held several important ministerial posts. Alfred's home environment did much to engender a literary spirit. He was educated at the College Henri Quatre, where he won a prize for his essay on the 'Origin of our Feelings.' After this, he tried to study law and medicine, but became dissatisfied and gave himself up entirely to literature. At Paris be met the famous literary men of the day, among them Hugo, Merimee and Sainte-Beuve, who inspired him to write verse and plays. He began com posing rhymes and in 1830 appeared his first volume of poems, 'Coates d'Esparme et d'Italie,' a parody on the latest works of the romanti cists which gained him a great reputation. In 1830 his play 'La Nuit Venitienne) proved a failure. This discouraged de Musset sO much that he refused to write plays for production until the public should demand them. There
followed a new collection in 1831 entitled 'Poesies Diverses,' and in 1833, a third, bear ing the general title 'Un Spectacle dans un Fauteuil' in which the chief pieces are a comedy of light and delicate grace called ''A revent les jeunes filles,' and a Namouna' written after the manner of Lord Byron. The success of this volume led to his connection with the Revue des Deux Mondes in which he published 'Andre del Sarto' (1833) and 'Caprices de Marianne' (same year). In this play, which for many years en joyed a distinguished place in the repertory of the Theatre Francais, he combines the best features of the romantic and classic schools of drama. It combines swift action with high loftiness of theme and thought; blends comedy and tragedy with Shakespearean excellence. 'Rolla' was the next piece to appear in the Revue. In the same year, 1833, de Musset con ceived a violent passion for George Sand, and accompanied her to Italy. But the liaison which was only the attraction of genius for genius lasted but two years. The story is told in his volume 'Lui et elle,' by de Musset and 'Elle et lui,' by George Sand. But the affair affected de Musset profoundly. It emphasized a deep melancholy strain in his nature and a morbid sensitivity which appears in his later writings. In Italy he wrote 'Ou ne badine pas avec l'amour.' In 1835 there appeared 'Lucie); 'La Nuit de ; 'Le Chandelier) ; 'Line Lettre a Lamartine' • 'L'Espoir de Dieu' and other poems. His 'Confession d'un enfant du slide) (1836) is an autobiographical novel, containing the analysis of his state of mind; his moody introspection, his revolt from all the unpleasant necessities and labor of life. It contains also an interesting account of his reac tions to Bonapartism, and a true story of his unfortunate liaison. Among his other works are 'Stances a Madame a volume 'Comedies et proverbes' reprinted from the Revue des Deux Mondes (1840) ; 'Nouvelles,' a play 'Uri Caprice) performed at the Theatre Francais in 1847. which succeeded by the truth of the characters and the charm of the dialogue, rather than by its regard for stage customs. Iti 1848 ne fait jurerde rien' was suc cessfully played at the Theatre Francais. His last plays and were written between 1848 and 1851. De Musset was made librarian of the Department of the Interior in 1836, of which post he was afterward de prived, and of the Department of Public Instruc tion in 1855. In 1852 he was admitted to the French Academy. He has been ranked after Hugo as the third French poet of the 19th cen tury. His wit, his fine satiric power, his many and diverse moods mark him a man of genius. A monument was erected to him on the Place du Theatre Francais in 1906. Consult biog raphies by Paul de Musset (1877; Eng. trans. by H. W. Preston, ; Barine, Arvede, in 'Grand ecrivains franca's.) His correspond ence with George Sand was published in 1904. See NIGHT OF MAY, A; ONE MUST NOT TRIFLE, WITH LOVE.