[55] FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



The principal fishing localities on the east coast of the United States 

 are Bnzzard's Bay, Massachusetts, Greenwich, Rhode Island, Pecouic 

 Bay, Long Island, and Morehead City, North Carolina. On the west 

 coast, Wilmington and San Diego ; but there is no regular trade in 

 scallops in those localities. 



In 1880 the product and value of the industry was : 



Number of gallons, 72,063. 



Value, $28,825.20. 



Peeten temiicostattis, Mighels. 



This is the " Great" or " Giant" scallop, and is found from New Jersey 

 to Labrador, but is rare and local south of Ca])e Cod. It is generally 

 found in comparatively deep water, existing in the Bay of Fundy in 

 over 100 fathoms, but may be taken in as little as 2 and 3 fathoms. 

 This species is not abundant nor of commercial importance. It is avail- 

 able for food, however, and is occasionally used as such. It is distin- 

 guished from the common scallop by its size, smooth surface, and pecu- 

 liar, reddish-brown epidermis. 



^> 

 Argina pexata, Gray. 



This is the Area pexata of Say and the "Bloody Clam" of the fisher- 

 men. It is found from Florida and northern shores of the Gulf of Mex- 

 ico to Cape Cod, and is local but rare, north of that jioint. The proper 

 home of this animal is in off-shore shallow bottoms. It is sometimes 

 found in other places, attached by a byssus, but not generally. It is 

 occasionally used for bait, but otherwise is not of importanc^e. The 

 term "bloody," applied to them, and the Scarpliarca transversa, a sim- 

 ilar shell, is due to their discharge of a sanguineous liquor when opened. 

 They are thus, and by their rough, dark, hairy epidermis, readily dis- 

 tinguished. 



The various species of star-fishes are supposed to prefer the "bloody" 

 clams to all other food, and the presence of the Argina pexata on or 

 about an oyster-bed is therefore a welcome sight to the planter. 



Glycimeris generosa, Gould. 



This is a Pacific coast species, known as the "Geoduck" or "Giant 

 Clam", having an extensive range, but not existing in very large num- 

 bers. It is found in sheltered localities on the coast, from Paget Sound 

 to San Diego; it lives in rather deep water, rarely being found except 

 below extreme low^-water mark. Its long siphons permit great depth 

 of the burrows, which usually penetrate the sandy-mud bottoms in 

 which the animal lives, some two or three feet. The northern animals 

 are the largest and most abundant. 



The Geoduck is said to be of very fine flavor, but too rich to be used 

 constantly as food. One annual is snfticient for an entire meal. Owing 

 to its scarcity, it is not at present eaten extensively. 



