rl08 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



cured. These clams were planted with a view to demonstrate 

 the following points: 



1 The relative amount of growth in clams of different sizes un- 

 der similar conditions. The clams were measured before plant- 

 ing, those of a size being put together in groups. The plan is 

 to determine now the arithmetical mean (length) of each set, 

 for comparison with length of clams when planted, then to de- 

 termine the volume (by displacement in water) of clams the size 

 of those planted and of those of the size of the mean, that the 

 percentage of increase in volume may be found. 



2 The relative amount of growth in slow and rapid currents. 

 Unfortunately where currents were slow, the bottom appeared 

 to be unfavorable. 



3 The effect of exposure at low tide. A line of flower pots 

 extending from a point considerably below low water mark to a 

 point on the beach above low water was planted with clams of 

 a size. 



4 The effect of position above the bottom. Clams were in- 

 closed in galvanized wire cages wired to stones resting on the 

 bottom. It would be an important thing to show growth on 

 rocks above the bottom as in French oyster claims, but the soft 

 clam does not do well under such conditions. 



These are the chief points aimed at. To be complete, the 

 experiments ought to be carried out on a large scale, but, if 

 these beds are not disturbed, the results should be good. 



Miss Elizabeth J. Letson, director of the museum of the Buf- 

 falo Society of Natural Sciences, has continued her studies of 

 the molluscan fauna of western New York and has made ex- 

 tensive collections. She has also completed during the year a 

 check list of the land, fresh-water and marine mollusks found 

 in the State of New York. This check list comprises 416 spe- 

 cies, all the available published lists and references from 1843 

 to 1874 inclusive having been utilized in its preparation. It will 

 be published, after amplification by the inclusion of such refer- 

 ences as have appeared subsequent to 1874, as a bulletin of the 

 State Museum. 



