AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY 



The report of the Treasurer was read and accepted, and the 

 meeting adjourned until 2 p. m. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



On assembling^ the following was read: 



THE GIANT CLAIMS OF PUGET SOUND, 



BY ROBT, E. C. STEARNS. 



Dr. Stearns, referring to the fact that his paper was the 

 first on the programme, said: At the time my friend Prof. Goode 

 asked me to say something to you about the big clams of the 

 west coast, I supposed that my place would be toward the close 

 of the feast, somewhere near the nuts and raisins, or the special 

 delicacies and dainties of the dessert. However as this is a fish 

 convention, and the Professor's request may be considered as 

 semi-of-fish-ial, 1 accept the place assigned me, and you must 

 regard what I have to say as being in the nature of grace before 

 meat. 



When an illustrious stranger from a remote country visits a 

 great civilized center, it is customary to introduce him into the 

 distinguished society of the place with some formality, if not 

 ostentation. Gentlemen, permit me to make you acquainted 

 with Glycimeris generosa, the boss clam of North America, recent- 

 ly from Puget Sound. 



You will see that he is in that condition which prevents him 

 from saluting you. Beside, he is by nature somewhat reticent. 

 He is evidently in high spirits (95 per cent, alcohol), but never- 

 theless speechless (as an Irishman might say), "as many a gen- 

 tleman has been before." 



