OF MASSACHUSETTS. 37 



The quahaug, while essentially a southern and warm-water form, 

 being found in the United States along the Atlantic seacoast as far 

 south as the Gulf of Mexico, practically reaches its northern range in 

 Massachusetts. In a few sheltered bays on the Maine coast quahaugs 

 are sometimes found, but in small quantities. However, at Prince 

 Edward Island there is said to be an abundance. 



Along the coast of Massachusetts north of Boston very few quahaugs 

 are found, although they were formerly taken near Salem. The black 

 quahaug (Gyprina islandica), so called from its dark epidermis, is often 

 caught in the trawls, but this is a deep-sea form, and by no means a 

 true quahaug. In Essex and Ipswich rivers and on Plum Island ex- 

 perimental beds have shown that quahaugs grow in these waters, but no 

 spawn has yet been noticed, though ripe eggs were developed in the 

 planted quahaugs. Owing to the swift currents, which carry the 

 spawn perhaps for mUes, it is impossible to determine accurately 

 whether any set has taken place. 



During the past three years, as outlined by chapter 78, Resolves of 

 1905, the rish and Game Commission has conducted a series of experi- 

 ments upon the quahaug, designated to furnish sufficient data concerning 

 the growth of this moUusk under a variety of conditions, to demonstrate 

 the possibilities and value of practical quahaug farming. The results of 

 these investigations upon the life, habits and culture of the quahaug 

 are to be published in a later scientific report. It is necessary here to 

 say that all statements in this report concerning the growth and culture 

 of quahaugs have been proved by experiments, the results of which are 

 on file at the office of the department of fisheries and game. 



It is the object of this report to present both to the fishermen and 

 consumers (1) actual statistical figures of the industry of the State for 

 1907; (2) a biological survey of the quahauging areas, outlined by 

 maps and descriptions; (3) a description of the industry. This survey 

 should furnish a basis for determining any decline or advance in the 

 quahaug industry of the future, as well as affording comparison with 

 the United States Fish Commission survey of 1879, made by Ernest 

 IngersoU. 



Massachusetts, situated at the northern limit of the quahaug industry 

 of the United States, is handicapped in comparison with other States, 

 as only the southern waters of the State are given to this industry. 

 Nevertheless, though possessing only a partial industry, Massachusetts 

 ranks the fourth State in quahaug production, according to the 1906 

 report of the United States Fish Commission. 



The same natural conditions which suit so well the shaUow-water 

 scallop are also adapted to the growth of the quahaug. In nearly all 

 the sheltered bays, inlets and rivers of the southern coast of Massa- 

 chusetts the quahaug can be found in var3nng abundance. Technically, 

 there is more territory which admits the possibility of quahaug growth 

 than of any other shellfish. The bathymetric range of the quahaug 



