MUSSELS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA. 



21 



The culls were mostly razorbacks, spikes, such of the black sand 

 shells as have a pink nacre, and a few floaters. By count about haK 

 of the commercial shells obtained are fat muckets Quteola), while 

 by weight they form only 40 per cent of the entire catch. 



A large number of fine pearls have been found here, nearly all of 

 which come from the luteolas. One of these found just before our 

 visit sold for $300, and another for $150. The fishermen reported 

 the pearls not as numerous as during the previous year. They also 

 reported another curious fact, that shells with pearls run along cer- 

 tain ridges on the lake bottom and are not found in the hollows along 

 either side of the ridge. 



In view of these facts it would seem advisable to propagate arti- 

 ficially the local commercial species, especially these thick-shelled 

 luteolas, and to use this locality as a source from which to introduce 

 desirable species into other lakes and rivers. 



Mr. Andy Noel, a shell buyer for the Wisconsin Button Co. at 

 La Crosse, took us around the lake and showed us every courtesy 

 in the way of obtaining samples and data. Our sincere thanks are 

 hereby acknowledged for these kind attentions. 



PLEASANT AND CLEARWATER LAKES. 



These lakes are situated near Annandale, in Wright County, and 

 are connected by the Clearwater Kiver with the Mississippi. Pleasant 

 Lake, right in the edge of the town, is 2 J miles long and 1 mile wide, 

 with a gravelly and sandy bottom, comparatively free from vegeta- 

 tion. Shells of the pocketbook (ventricosa) and Anodonta pepiniana 

 were obtained here. The former proved to be excellent button 

 material, but was very scarce. It was reported, however, to have 

 been abundant during the previous year, but had been killed or driven 

 into deeper water by the ice. 



Clearwater Lake is 4 miles from town and is much larger than 

 Pleasant Lake, being TJ miles long and 1§ miles wide. The south- 

 eastern end of the lake is wider and deeper and has rocky shores; 

 the northwestern half is narrower, shallower, and so lined with reeds 

 and rushes that it is impossible to get anywhere near the shore in 

 most places. 



The fat mucket (luteola) was found here, in addition to the pocket- 

 book and A. pepiniana. Both the mucket and the pocketbook 

 are large and thick and make excellent button material. 



The Clearwater River flows through the lake and was reported 

 to be fuU of fine sheUs. This lake and river would yield a carload 

 of first grade mussels, which could be readily floated down to the 

 town of Clearwater, on the bank of the Mississippi, and shipped from 

 there. Also the local species might well be propagated at the lower 

 end of the lake and in the river, while in the muddier bottom at the 



