194 Kent Mussel Distribution. 



the Goodwin Sands got so crowded with mussels (v&r.pellucida?) 

 as regularly to destroy the vessel's efficiency. Hence every two 

 years they had to be taken into harbour to be cleaned. In con- 

 sequence a return had to be made to the old style of wooden 

 vessels. (Grattie, "Memorials" already cited.) 



Along the N. Kent shore, from the Margate neighbour- 

 hood towards Birchington, Reculvers, Herne Bay and Whit- 

 stable, they increase in numbers. In the case of the old pier at 

 Herne Bay, its tumbledown piles are a great rendezvous for 

 mussels and other marine objects, where they hang in clusters. 

 On old wrecks everywhere in the estuary there they make 

 lodgment, grow and multiply amazingly. On the Kentish 

 Flats to the Margate sands are great beds, at least all around 

 there they are annually sought after during the season for 

 brood stock to the cultivated layings, and even for manurial 

 purposes, so plentiful are they at times. 



The Swale from east to west, here and there come in for 

 full share, and Queenborough and Sheerness have their quota. 

 They run up the Medway as far as Upnor. In places mid-stream 

 (Medway) they can be brought up in dredgefuls ; indeed, 

 formerly they were regularly worked for outside of Colemouth 

 Creek. Sheppey foreshore, particularly about Cheney Rocks, 

 is another spot for them. There are sparse beds of small-sized 

 mussels in the Jenkin Swatch. Their diminutive size B. 

 Baxter attributes to their partial but continuous destruction by 

 the bargemen and others, the sailing craft hereabouts being at 

 times very crowded. Furthermore, the shrimpers at times 

 work this ground, and may give them little chance of growing 

 large. 



The Nore Lightship, like those of the Goodwins, is also 

 pestered with mussels in masses. Even copper and zinc is not 

 sufficient protection to their deposition, for within a short time 

 the accumulation is extraordinary. In fact, in Thames, Medway 

 and other estuaries, wherever buoys are, to these mussel spat 

 clings, and the Trinity have to keep a sharp look-out, and 



