360 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



considering the comparatively small size of the adductors, is as tender 

 as an oyster. Being nearly all belly, it is of sufficient size, when shelled, 

 for two to eight to fill a two-pound can. 



I am of the opinion that this species, carefully packed and properly 

 put upon the market, would soon be regarded as next to the best pack- 

 ings of the Virginia oyster, and would find a ready sale. 



On the 2 1th of June Ileft Olympia, with tanks, etc., via Portland, Oreg., 

 for San Francisco, and arrived at the latter place June 27, at 8.30 a m. 

 Weather warm. 



Through the kindness of the officers of the steamer, extra care and 

 attention was given to the tanks and contents ; but upon examination, 

 after getting the same ashore, Glycimeris, Schizothcvrus, and Saxidomus, 

 all were dead, though still quite fresh and sweet. 



Aside from other information and experience derived from this experi- 

 ment, the route via Portland, owing to the frequent handling required, 

 is impracticable. If future attempts are made before the completion 

 of the Xorth Pacific Transcontinental Railroad admits of a special car 

 being run through to Puget Sound, then the best route will be by some 

 one of the Puget Sound steamers to San Francisco direct. The clams 

 can be obtained at some other point on the sound, or else dug in Budd's 

 Inlet and replanted in the immediate vicinity of some regular shipping 

 station ; or some other locality, perhaps, where Glycimeris occurs^ may be 

 found nearer to the points where the sound steamers touch in the course 

 of their usual trips. I am however, inclined to doubt the practicability 

 of handling these clams successfully, via San Francisco, for the reason 

 heretofore given, namely, the coincidence of these low tides with the 

 warm weather which pertains to that time of the year. 



I should have mentioned before that, though Glycimeris sometimes 

 attains the weight of 1G pounds, as I am informed by Capt. J. S. Lawson, 

 of the United States Coast Survey, to when I am indebted for kind as- 

 sistance, the largest obtained by me weighed 0i to 7£ pounds. There 

 is no doubt, however, that individuals reach and ever exceed the weight 

 mentioned. 



Herewith are drawings of two specimens of different weights, and in 

 different positions, such as are usually presented by the geoduck, which 

 is probably the largest Saxicavid known, and next to the true clam of 

 the Indo-Pacific seas, Tridacna gigas, the largest clam in the world. 



I have also provided drawings of Schizotlmrus nuttallii, and of the 

 tanks which I had prepared for the special object of my mission, and 

 which I believe are well adapted for the purpose. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE STEARNS TANK FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF 

 CLAMS, ETC., FOR TRANSPLANTING. 



The tanks, which were made in San Francisco under my direction 

 for the above purpose, are of heavy galvanized sheet iron; the upper 

 edge and bottom further strengthened by a stout hoop or band, marked 



