OF MASSACHUSETTS. 73 



ham, are exposed at extremely low tides. A severe winter often kills 

 off all the " seed " thus exposed. In this case no spawn is obtained 

 the following summer, causing the suppression of the scallop fishery 

 in that locality for at least a few years, and possibly its permanent 

 extinction. 



The low temperature during the winter, particularly in the shallow 

 waters and on the exposed flats, is often destructive to the adult. Scal- 

 lops have been observed in zero weather frozen, with shells full of ice, 

 as they lay on the exposed flats at Parker River, Yarmouth. Un- 

 doubtedly many die, but many recover from being frozen, as shellfish 

 will live if properly thawed out. In the severe winter of 1904-05 the 

 entire crop of scallops was killed on the Common Plats, Chatham, and in 

 1906-07, 40 per cent, of the " seed " on the Stage Harbor flats, Chatham, 

 succumbed to the ice and cold. Often the ice settling on the flats 

 carries with it the scallops, or leaves them in a dying condition. Low 

 temperatures, tides and currents work together, as the scallop, rendered 

 inactive by Ihe coolness of the. water, is at the mercy of the elements, 

 and is readily washed ashore, to perish on the open beaches or high flats. 



Popular Fallacies. 



Many interesting but erroneous ideas concerning the habits of 

 the scallop have arisen among the fishermen, and a brief mention of 

 several will bring this chapter to a fitting close. The length of life of 

 the scallop has always been a perplexing question. While the majority 

 of the scallopers have drawn correct conclusions from their practical 

 observations, a few still maintain that this moUusk lives for a long 

 period of years. Arguments to this effect are based chiefly upon the 

 foreign growth, which is. abundant on the shells of the old scallops. 

 Successive layers of Crepidula (quarter deckers or sweetmeats) piled 

 one on top of the other on the shell are claimed to denote a yearly 

 period for each new animal, and large barnacles, worm tubes, etc., are 

 considered as indicating a long period of development, while in reality 

 these bodies are the result of only a few months' actual growth. 



The idea that it was necessary for the scallop to come at least once 

 a day to the surface to breathe arose from seeing the animals rise in 

 shallow water to the surface when swimming. Such a conception 

 appears absurd when it is known that the scallop possesses gills like a 

 fish and is not an air-breathing animal. Numerous misconceptions as to 

 its migratory, swimming, attachment, feeding and other habits have 

 prevailed during past years, and it is sincerely hoped that this chapter 

 on habits may aid in clearing many misunderstandings about the life 

 of the scallop. 



