4 MUSSEL EESOUBCES OF THE HOLSTON AND CLINCH EIVERS. 



at such points many small shells were taken. It was noted by Mr. 

 Boepple that a number of live mussels were found at these places; 

 this was taken to mean either that the muskrats held a reserve 

 supply or, as he considered more probable, that they were unable to 

 open some of the specimens. Small mussels were also found on the 

 stones in the river. 



After working for two days at this point a collection of 100 pounds 

 of shells was taken to Morristown for more careful examination with 

 reference to commercial value. 



The following description of the river is copied from Mr. Boepple's 

 field notes : 



The Holston River is at this place quite a large stream a quarter of a mile wide, yet 

 not deep, from 1 to 3 feet. The bottom of the stream is of gravel and rock, at places 

 flat rock, and at some points in the shoals only rock. It was hard to get to these places 

 with a small boat, yet my helper knew every point in the stream. The water was 

 almost clear, yet somewhat milky, and one could see only about 4 feet deep. The 

 banks were bluffs. On the north side one could see the Clinch Mountains in the 

 background. There were likewise places in the river one-half to 1 mile in length where 

 the river was narrow and deep and practically without current. 



Previous to this visit a report had been received that pearls were 

 being fished on the Holston, Clinch, and Powell Kivers and that the 

 shells were being thrown into the river as without value. This 

 report was fully substantiated, for wherever examination of the 

 bottom could be made numbers of dead shells were observed that 

 had evidently been thrown back into the river by the pearl fishers 

 after examination for pearls ; likewise large piles of shells amounting 

 to several tons in each pile were seen in places on the main 

 bank and on the shores of the islands. After careful examination of 

 these heaps it was found that about 60 per cent of the discarded shells 

 were good muckets, about 20 per cent long niggerheads, while a 

 considerable number were three-ridges. 



Some information was obtained in regard to the pearl fishery. 

 During the three years immediately previous there had been 10 to 

 12 men fishing for pearls in this vicinity, often working for two or 

 three weeks before finding anything of real value. Mr. Boepple was 

 informed by his guide, a reliable pearl fisher, that during these three 

 years he had found one pearl for which he received $800, another 

 which brought him $410. He had also found several for which he 

 received from $10 to $50 each. A number of pieces which he then 

 had in hand were observed, all of which possessed a good luster. 

 The principal season for pearling is during the months of July, 

 August, and September. 



Advice was given to the pearl fishers in regard to what species of 

 the shells possessed a commercial value, and in regard to the market 

 for such material. It was also explained that many of the shells 

 previously discarded were not yet ruined for market purposes; so 



