I 



INTRODUCTION 



The growth of commercial interest in the natural resources of our 

 country and the public appreciation of the importance of scientific 

 knowledge in husbanding and developing these resources, have 

 made it necessary for the state museum, in its relation to the public 

 of New York, to give attention to all parts of the animal, vegetable 

 and mineral kingdoms which contribute to the needs and comforts 

 of our citizens. There being comparatively little accurate knowl- 

 edge accessible to the public on the subject of the life history of the 

 clams and scallops and the possibility of their cultivation, the 

 director has been led to engage the services of Prof. James L. Kel- 

 logg, of Williams college, to study and report on the subject in 

 which he is the acknowledged master. 



While, in the brief space of one field season, it has not been pos- 

 sible to exhaust the subject, the following report is issued in the 

 belief that it will meet the wants of many persons throughout the 

 "State. 



Frederick J. H. Merrill 



Director 

 Albany N, F. Dec. ipoo 



