The New Student's Reference Work/Mussel

Mussel (mŭs′l), the common name for a number of bivalve mollusks.  The common mussel of salt water (Mytilus), living along the shores of the northern Atlantic, is often eaten in Europe, but rarely in America.  It is abundant between high and low water marks, and is usually anchored by a tuft of yellowish silken filaments (Lyssus) spun from glands in its body.  The common freshwater clam is the fresh-water mussel.  These mollusks belong to the group of Lamellibranchiata.