TJic Productivity of Fish Food in Oneida Lake 117 

 Table No. 26. Mussels on Clay and Sandy Clay Bottoms 



The mussel ])opulations of these areas are, therefore, boulder 

 and gravel, 594,545; sand, 2,630,080; and clay, 5,788,640; or 

 a total estimated population of 9,013,265 mussels in 197 acres 

 of Lower South Bay. Some features shown by the average 

 population are interesting. The greatest number of individuals 

 occurred on a clay or sandy clay bottom. Twice as many 

 mussels occurred in water deeper than six feet than within 

 the 6- foot contour. These features are expressed in the 

 Table No. 2y, the figures being averages per unit area of nine 

 square feet. 



Table No. 27. Average Number of Mussels on Bottom 



Boulder and gravel bottom 6.14 



Sand bot torn 6 . 39 



Clay and sandy clay bottom 13.00 



Mud bottom 10.26 



Within 6- foot contour 7.84 



Outside 6-foot contour 16.85 



The above table shows that mussels are more abundant on 

 the mud bottom in deep water (8-14 feet) than on sand, 

 gravel, boulder, or clay in shallow water (1-6 feet). These 

 are the only studies of this character known to me. 



Population of the Vegetation. The higher plants of 

 Lower South Bay and vicinity were examined to ascertain the 

 amount of animal life using vegetation for food and support. 



