MUSSEL FAUNA OF MAUMEE EIVER. 



41 



4. Quadrula fustulosa (Lea). Pimple-back; vvarty-back. Quad- 

 Tula pustulosa is another of the widely distributed mussels common 

 to both the Mississippi and St. Lawrence drainage systems; but, 

 although thus widely distributed, it is somewhat choice of its habitat. 

 It shows a distinct preference for more or less sandy or gravelly 

 bars with a live current. It does not usually form beds, but is gen- 

 erally more or less mixed in with other species. It was found 

 throughout the length of the river, but most abundantly in the cen- 

 tral portion. A few examples, some of them of good size, were 

 found at Fort Wayne, especially in the feeder canal. The greatest 

 number taken at one place was at Kern's Reservation, where 46 were 

 obtained in a shallow bottom of sandy gravel. All these examples, 

 and, indeed, nearly all found in the Maumee until we reached the 

 Auglaize Eiver, were small, dwarfed shells; those found in the 

 Auglaize River and near the dam at Grand Rapids were of consider- 

 ably larger size. A few of the shells were almost devoid of pustula- 

 tions, and one small smooth shell, much produced forward and 

 rounded, bore considerable resemblance to Ohovaria retusa. The 

 two largest examples obtained were 85 millimeters long and weighed 

 (dry shell) 145 grams. 



This is one of the species commonly used in button making, and 

 where it reaches large size is fairly well adapted to that purpose. 

 In the Maumee, on account of both their small size and their fewness, 

 they are not an important item. Most of the examples secured were 

 retained and numbered in all 156 shells. 



5. Quadrula lachrymosa (Lea). Stranger; monkey-face. This 

 species was found only in the lower courses of the river; none were 

 encountered above the Auglaize. In that stream three examples, the 

 first seen, were secured. From this point they were occasionally met 

 with all the way down the river, and in the canal. Thirteen speci- 

 mens were taken below the Defiance or Independence Dam, and below 

 the dam at Grand Rapids, Ohio, 24 were obtained. This is the 

 greatest number for any locality. The largest one seen was obtained 

 here; its length was 115 millimeters and its weight (dry shell) 221 

 grams. All examples seen were retained, the total number being 46. 



This shell is used in button making, and ranks in this respect along 

 with the three-ridges. The irregular sulcation of the valves, how- 

 ever, puts it to some disadvantages in cutting, so that while it is an 

 interesting and well-marked shell, it does not possess enough favor- 

 able qualities from the commercial point of view to make it desirable 

 for propagation. 



6. Quadrula cylindrica (Say). Rabbit's-foot. This has been re- 

 garded as a species of the Mississippi drainage, belonging principally 

 to the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee River systems. Only a few 

 examples were found and these were in the feeder canal and upper 



