4 



MUSSELS OF CUMBEELAND RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES. 



During all these investigations the methods followed by the two 

 divisions of the party were made as different as possible in order to 

 cover the field more thoroughly. Mr. Boepple used the crowfoot 

 dredge, tongs, and mussel rake, and worked the deeper portions of the 

 river. The rest of the party covered the shallower water, riffles, sand 

 bars, and smaller tributaries, and, of course, obtained the mussels by 

 wading. 



A careful record was kept of the temperature of the water at ihe 

 various stations, and as often as seemed advisable samples were 

 taken for subsequent analysis. 



In addition to making original observations the party secured as 

 much information as could be obtained from local fishermen and 

 clammers with reference to the location of the mussel beds, past and 

 present operations upon them, and the finding of pearls and baroques. 



For such information we are particularly indebted to the following 

 persons: Mr. Walter, of Dover, Tenn., an extensive dealer in shells; 

 Mr. Samuel Dabbs, a clammer of Dover; Mr. M. K. Clark, proprietor 

 of the blank factory at Clarksville, Tenn.; and Mr. Cicero Harris, a 

 boatman who had floated down from the upper part of the river fishing 

 and clamming, and who knew the river more intimately than anyone 

 else it was our fortune to meet. To these gentlemen as well as to 

 many others who extended favors and assistance whenever oppor- 

 tunity offered, our sincere thanks are tendered. 



As fast as they were obtained, the samples of water and specimens 

 were shipped to the biological station at Fairport. The shells were 

 subsequently identified and studied by the priacipal author with the 

 results herein set forth. 



THE CUMBERLAND RIVER. 

 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



The main branch of the Cumberland River rises among the foot- 

 hills of the Pine Mountains, in the southeastern corner of Kentucky. 

 It flows southwest along the eastern side of the mountains, receiving 

 many tributaries. Near Pineville it turns at a right angle and flows 

 northwest through a wide gap in the mountains, and then swings to 

 the south, its general course being that of a half circle, convex toward 

 the north. At State Line, in Monroe County, it crosses into Tennes- 

 see, its general course in the latter State being also that of a half 

 circle but convex toward the south. 



At Tobaccoport, in Stewart County, it crosses the State fine back 

 into Kentucky, flows northwest and enters the Ohio at Smithland, 

 only 12 miles above the mouth of the Tennessee River at Paducah. 

 The distance from the source to the mouth in a straight line is about 

 325 miles, but the river is so extremely crooked that its total length 



