52 THE NAUTILUS. 



doubt will soon be closed and not even the smallest boat will be able 

 to enter this once beautifully situated bay. 



When low tide occurs in the bay, the " necks " of thousands of 

 Schizothcerus Nuttalli may be seen projecting an inch or so out of the 

 gray mud. Although the shells themselves are buried quite deeply 

 under the surface, it is with difficulty that these hugh specimens 

 may be obtained. Think of gathering clams almost the size of 

 dinner plates. We managed to secure several splendid specimens. 

 The " necks " when fully extended are about three feet long. It 

 requires several persons with rubber boots, shovels and pails to 

 " catch " one, as they will withdraw their " necks " quickly and bury 

 themselves out of view and reach, if disturbed. The strength of one 

 person is required to hold the neck on the surface while another per- 

 son digs around it and bails out the fast in-coming mud and water. 

 It is indeed hard work to capture one of them, but well worth the 

 trouble and time spent over them. 



The Bay also produces thousands of dead, yet fresh-looking spec- 

 imens of Macoma secta. These are found either upon the surface or 

 an inch or two below, imbedded in the soft mud. Hundreds were 

 secured and after having given them a thorough washing, they were 

 packed away carefully in cotton batting. 



Living Cryptomya californica in considerable numbers seem to be 

 washed upon the mud flats. They range in size from a pin head to 

 a quarter of a dollar. 



When low tide occurs at the reef, one may dig in the clay for 

 borers and be rewarded with several species. The clay is fairly alive 

 with them. 



Occasionally I have found cast up on the beach by the waters, 

 fine examples of that immense "rock oyster" Hinnites yiganteus. 

 Several contained the living animal. One specimen picked up 

 measures almost ten inches in diameter. Who says we do not have 

 large oysters! The beach is covered with great numbers of worn 

 valves. The young shells are easily mistaken for Pecten hastatus 

 and I have often been fooled in this respect. Fresh, full grown spec- 

 imens are very hard to obtain. 



What do you suppose to-day the glorious fourth of July- 

 brought forth ? Two most interesting species that I have found up 

 to date. I had not searched for these and they were entirely a 

 surprise to me. Doubly welcome are my new friends on this day. 

 We were sitting lazily upon the pebbly beach watching the waves as 



