[51] FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



not requiring an exponditure of over $150, including boat, rake, and 

 baskets, and tlie pursuit is naturally followed by the poorer class of 

 people — meu who are employed by the oyster-dealers in winter and are 

 out of work during the summer. The principal depots are New York 

 and Philadelphia, but a large number of clams are consumed through- 

 out the interior of the ]S"ew England and Middle States, and every sea- 

 board town sends its quota to supply tlie demand. To the southward 

 of the Delaware and Chesapeake this consumption diminishes very fast, 

 that of all the Southern States being estimated by Ingersoll at not more 

 than 50,000 bushels, valued at $20,000. 



The summary of the annual product and value of the " Quahaug" fish- 

 fishery for the whole coast is : 



Number of clams taken, 320,245,800. 



Number of bushels, 1,087,480. 



Value, $657,747. 



Mytilus eduliSj Linn^. 



This is the ordinary " black" or " edible" mussel. It is found from the 

 Arctic Ocean south to North Carolina, on the east coast, and south to 

 Monterey on the west coast of the United States. It is very abundant 

 from New Jersey northward and is found fossil in the Post-Pliocene 

 formations of most of the localities north of Rhode Island. It is iden- 

 tical with the common mussel of Europe in all respects. 



The Myiilus edulis is most abundant in the shallow and brackish waters 

 of bays and estuaries, but flourishes well in any situation where there is 

 a little mud and some solid object to which it can attach itself. The 

 coasts of New Jersey and Long Island are especially adapted to it, and 

 it is found in those regions in immense numbers. It has also increased of 

 late years in Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. It grows very rapidly, 

 reaching maturity, under favorable circumstances, in one season. It is 

 not confined to shallow waters, but exists in the deep as well, having been 

 taken off" the coast of Maine in 40 and 50 fathoms. The shells of those 

 living in sheltered localities and on sandy bottoms are, however, much 

 more delicate in texture and brilliant in color than those inhabiting ex- 

 posed situations. The former are often beautifully marked with alter- 

 nating bands of different colors or are pale yellow or translucent horn 

 color. The latter are thicker, of a dull brown or bluish-black color, and 

 often much distorted. 



The breeding season begins early in the spring, and Verrill states that 

 he has found immense numbers of the size of a pin's head as early as 

 the middle of April. The mussel attaches itself to its support by means 

 of a " byssus" or silk-like thread, spun from the foot, and as it has the 

 power of relinquishing its hold on the ends of the threads at any time, it 

 can change its location at will, and by means of the delicate byssus, can 

 even clmib the perpendicular sides of piles and rocks. On the muddy 

 bottoms of bays and sounds these mussels frequently exist in large 



