368 



Note on the possible Naturalization of the American Clam, 

 VENUS MERCENARIA, on the Coasts of Lancashire 

 and Cheshire. 



By Thomas J. Moore, 



CORE. MEMB. ZOOL. SOC, LONDON, 

 eURATOR OF THE LIVERPOOL FREE PUBLIC MUSEUM. 



Various attempts having been made to naturalize the 

 Quahaug or American Hard-Clam, Venus mercenaria^ in 

 our local waters, Prof. Herdman has asked me to give a 

 summary account of them. 



In February, 1869, Capt. John H. Mortimer, commander 

 and part owner of the ship ** America," entrusted to my care 

 a considerable supply of live Clams. A portion was sent to 

 Mr. Frank Buckland, who, I believe, laid them down in his 

 enclosure at Reculvers, but of which I have heard nothing 

 more. 



The remainder were divided into lots and cast into the 

 sea at Southport, at the Great Burbo Bank, and at Crosby. 

 At Crosby they were carefully placed by Mr. Frank Archer, 

 assisted by Mr. R. Paden, of the Museum staff. Mr. Archer 

 and others kept a long and careful look-out for results, but 

 none have been forthcoming beyond the rumoured finding of 

 a doubtful valve. This distribution is referred to in the 

 Proceedings of the Lit. and Phil, Soc., Liver^oolf vol. xxxiii, 

 p. 192. 



In February, 1883, Mr. F. P. Marrat printed, for distri- 

 bution among his friends and correspondents, a record (a few 

 copies of which he still has on hand) of some valves of Venus 

 mercenaria, found in the previous September at Hilbre, by 

 Mr. Geo. W. Shrubsole, of Chester, and subsequently by 



