FISHERIES OF TI1E PACIFIC COAST. 
125 
from the Atlantic coast. Dr. R. E. C. Stearns, adjunct curator of mol- 
lusksinthe U. S. National Museum, has ably discussed this question in 
a paper entitled u My a arenaria in San Francisco Bay,” which appeared 
in the American Naturalist, May, 1881. He says : ' ♦ 
Since 1874, the date of the description [by Dr. W. Newcomb, who named it M. 
hemphilUi'], the Mya has become abundant, and is found for miles alongside the easterly 
shore of the bay, aud is now the leading clam in the markets of San Francisco and 
Oakland, superseding to a great extent the previous “clams,” Macomanasuta and Tapes 
(or more properly, Cuneus) slaminea Conrad, in its varieties, especially diversa Shy., 
aud the now dominant clam of the fish stalls is found exhibiting all of the characteris- 
tics of My a afen aria, and is universally conceded to be the same as the Atlantic species. 
Mussels (Modiola capax) are plentiful. They sell for 4 cents per pound. 
The large common crab of the Pacific coast ( Cancer magister) occurs 
in greatest numbers outside of the Golden Gate. It is an important 
source of food supply. It can be taken at all seasons and sells at from 
5 to 10 cents. It sometimes attains a weight of 4 pounds. Shrimp are 
extensively sold in the market; they are discussed at length in the 
chapter on the shrimp fishery. Prawns (Pandahis dance) are obtained 
in moderate supply ; the price varies from 15 to 20 cents per pound. 
Frogs are taken in the vicinity of San Francisco ; they also come from 
San Mateo, Marin, and Kern Counties. The Average market price is $3 
per dozen, but it is sometimes as high as $5. 
Terrapins are obtained from the swamps, ponds, and lakes of this 
region, but chiefly from the San Joaquin Valley. They average about 
2 pounds each and sell at $3 per dozen. 
Sea turtles are kept in the market but are not taken here. They come 
from the Mexican coast; their average weight is 80 pounds ; the mar- 
ket price is $3.50 each. 
Destruction of fish by sea lions.— Much has been said and written about 
the destruction of fish in San Francisco Bay and vicinity by sea lions 
aud seals, of which there are large numbers about the entrance of the 
Golden Gate and at the Farallones. They are commonly seen in the 
bay aud even enter the rivers. Opinion is divided, however, as to 
whether the scarcity of fish is due to the seals or to the capture of quan- 
tities of immature fish by the Chinese. This is an interesting subject, 
and considerable information has been gathered bearing on both sides 
of the question ; but in the present undetermined status of the case it is 
only necessary to call attention to the scarcity of market fish on some 
of the grounds and the alleged causes therefor. 
Fishing grounds , seasons , etc. — Herring, smelt, salmon, shad, flounders, 
perch, and sturgeon are the most important varieties and constitute the 
bulk of the catch of the market fishermen in San Francisco, San Pablo, 
and Suisun Bays. These species are taken chiefly with sweep nets or 
paranzellas, stationary and drift gill nets, which are operated wher- 
ever fish maybe temporarily most abundant. The first run of herring, 
about the last of October or early in November, generally strikes into 
