HABITS A^D LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SCALLOP 



{PECTEy lERADIAXS.) 



PKELIMINARY REPORT 

 By Jonathan Risser, A. M., 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



The conditions of the occurrence of scallops at Wickford, R. I., 

 during the last few years affords an unusually favorable oppor- 

 tunity for solving- the problems of the growth and breeding-habits 

 of this shell-fish. In the spring of 1899 there were practically no 

 scallops in the vicinity of Wickford, but in the summer of the 

 same year an abundant set of young scallops made its appearance. 

 This fact has simplified the problem of following the development 

 of a certain set because it obviates the possibility of confusing the 

 set of two successive spawning-seasons. The record of the observa- 

 tions which have so far been made will be given in answer to the 

 following questions : 



1. When is the breeding-season of the scallop? 



2. What are the breeding-habits ? 



3. Can the eggs be artifically fertilized ? 



4. AVhat are the habits of the fry ? 



5. What are the habits of the young scallops after they have set ? 

 G. What is the rate of growth ? 



7. At what size and age does the scallop first spawn '? 



8. Does the scallop spawn more than once? 



9. What is the normal length of life ? 



