Bdihlc Molhisca of the Orci^^oii L'oast 189 



but still within the influence of salt water. It thrives well in the 

 Siuslaw River four miles from its mouth. 



Although in unlimited quantities along" the coast this species 

 and the following- one, aside from very insignificant local con- 

 sumption, have not yet come to have any place in the list of 

 human foods of the northwest. 



10. Mytilus californicus Conrad. 



The large, ribbed mussel is characteristic of the rocks and 

 headlands which face the ocean receiving the full sweep of the 

 waves. It is attached to the rocks just below high tide and seems 

 to thrive best where the surf is strongest. The species is a com- 

 mon form on the rocky shores throughout the coast of Oregon 

 from Tillamook Head southward. It is especially abundant north 

 of Siletz Bay at a point opposite Devils Lake. Here chains of 

 rocks which parallel the shore and are exposed at low tide have 

 vast areas literally covered with this mussel. It is also very 

 abundant between Xetarts liay and Cape Clears (Figure I), as 

 well as in numerous other localities near the central and south- 

 ern portions of the coast. 



1 1 . Pecten sp. 



Whether pectens are well distriliuted off the northwest coast 

 has not been fully determined. They have l^een dredged in con- 

 siderable quantities from Puget Sound and have occasionally been 

 taken off Newport on the Oregon Coast. They are. however, 

 seldom if ever seen in the markets of the northwest and appar- 

 ently little effort has been made to develop this phase of the fish- 

 ing industry. To determine the possibilities of the pecten fisheries 

 extensive surveys should be made along the entire coast and 

 proper gear provided for the boats. 



Those familiar with the importance of these bivalves on the 

 Atlantic coast would welcome any efforts to add the pectens to 

 our list of sea foods in the northwest. 



MARKKT POSSIBILITIES FOR FRESH PRODUCTS. 



In order that clams and mussels mav be satisfactory and 



[13] 



