Artificial Snails.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 April 1914, Page 2

Artificial Snails.

Snails, the only genuine part of which are the shells, are now being sold in Paris, and it is said that the imitation of the real article is so close that many epicures have a high opinion of the sham product. But it is to be presumed that they do not know that the snails are artificial, and they are certainly ignorant of the methods by which the snails are manufactured. Snailshells, it seems, are bought from the dustmen and rag-pickers, and after being cleaned are filled with "lights" or cats' meat, the soft flesh being cut into corkscrew form, so as to fit the shell, by a skilfully designed machine. The receptacle is then sealed by means of liquid fat, and the escargot is ready for the consumer. The secret came out in consequence of an action brought by a man employed at the snailfactory to recover damages for a finger mutilated by one of the ma r .. chines. The artificial snails find "4' ready market. , " J