The Relation of Mollusks to Fish in Oneida Lake 247 
CHAPTER VII. CLASSIFICATION OF THE 
ONEIDA LAKE MOLLUSCA. 
In this chapter the species and varieties of fresh-water 
mollusks found in Oneida Lake in 1915 are discussed from 
the standpoint of their toxonomy — their orderly sequence 
and division into orders, families, and genera. The mollusks 
of New York have formed subjects for the pens of many of 
the early naturalists of the country, including Thomas Say, 
Isaac Lea, S. S. Haldeman, and John Jay. Later, such men 
as W. G. Binney, G. W. Tryon, Jr., and Dr. James Lewis 
carried on the study of mollusks of New York State and other 
parts of the United States. Of papers relating directly to 
the Mollusca of New York State there are a large number, 
among which may be mentioned those of DeKay (1843), 
Lewis (1856, 1874), Walton (1892), Baker (1898), and 
Letson (1905). The only complete monograph is that of 
DeKay, published in 1843. The paper on Monroe County 
Mollusea by John Walton is well illustrated, although there 
are no descriptions of the shells. Simpson’s Monograph of 
the Naiades describes all of the mussels of the world, includ- 
ing those inhabiting New York State. The papers of Binney 
describe and figure many of the fresh-water snails of the 
State. Two works by the present writer describe and figure 
many species of shells living in New York State (Baker, 
1898-1902, 1911). The paper by Robertson (1915, pl. 
X—XIT) illustrates in a most beautiful manner (excepting 
that some figures are too greatly enlarged and the scale is not 
indicated on the plate) many of the common species living in 
Oneida Lake. <A list of the more important of these papers 
on New York Mollusea will be found in the bibliography, 
under the name of the above authors. Little has been done 
to increase our knowledge concerning the distribution and 
eritical affinities of the mollusean fauna of the State since 
the time of Dr. J. Lewis of Mohawk, who was one of the 
most discriminating of the students of his time. The only 
local list (a very good one) of the region under considera- 
