176 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [470] 
In the New Haven markets the round clams retail at $2 to $3 per bushel 
for the smail ones, and $1 to $2 per bushel for the large ones. 
The common muscle, Mytilus edulis, (p. 307, Plate XXXT, fig. 234,) is 
also extremely abundant on the muddy bottoms, forming immense beds 
in many places. It is taken in vast quantities for fertilizing the land, 
but is seldom used as food on our coast, although it is used extensively 
in some parts of Europe. 
The muddy bottoms of the estuaries, ponds, and harbors, especially 
when composed largely of organic matter in a living state, afford the 
best localities for “ planting” oysters, and they are extensively utilized 
for this purpose. The oysters thus planted are mostly brought from 
farther south, but young “natives” are also transplanted on a large 
scale in some localities. 
It is, however, very certain that the oysters did not originally grow 
on muddy bottoms, for the young cannot maintain themselves during 
early life unless attached to some solid substance. 
Therefore, where large oyster-beds have been planted, the bottom 
Should no longer be classed as “muddy,” but rather as a ‘shelly bot- 
tom,” for a large number of animals, in addition to those of true muddy 
bottoms, live among or attached to the oysters. 
Along the peaty and clayey banks, especially where undermined by 
the waves, even nearly up to high-water mark, the Petricola pholadi- 
Jormis (p. 372, Plate X XVI, fig. 199,) and Pholas truncata, (Plate XX VII, 
fig. 200,) are often found in their deep burrows in considerable numbers. 
The Tagelus gibba (Plate XXVI, fig. 181, and Plate XXX, fig. 217,) 
burrows at and below low-water mark on the muddy and argillaceous 
shores of the estuaries, as well as on the shores of the bays. On muddy 
bottoms, toward the outer parts of the estuaries and harbors, the 
Mulinia lateralis (Plate X XVI, fig. 184, B) often occurs in great abun- 
dance. And in similar places, even where the bottom consists largely of 
decaying vegetable matter, the Tellina tenta (Plate XXX, fig. 225).and 
Solenomya velum (Plate X XIX, fig. 210) are sometimes found in consid- 
erable numbers. The Callista convera (Plate XXX, fig. 219) also occurs 
in similar places. 
The Ascidians, Bryozoa, and Radiata are almost entirely wanting on 
the muddy shores and bottoms of estuaries, unless in localities where 
eel-grass or oyster-beds afford them suitable stations ; but such localities 
will be discussed farther on. 
List of species inhabiting the muddy shores and bottoms of brackish waters. 
ARTICULATA. 
Insects. 
Page. Page. 
Cicindela marginata....... SOUP OULER, Spo. ce see. 466 
Hydrophilus quadristriatus 466} Ephydra, sp... -........-. 466 
