of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



351 



for a local bait bed. The clam is a delicate shellfish, when compared with 

 such molluscs as the cockles and mussels, and is not so easy pf transport. 

 Means could, however, I believe, be adopted whereby transportation in large 

 quantities could be accomplished. But before clams are laid down in any 

 locality the biological, physical, and other characteristics of the ground 

 should be examined, and if found suitable, arrangements might be made to 

 transplant a large quantity of the horse-mussel which lives in close associa- 

 tion with the clam in the Forth, in Oban Bay, and elsewhere. After the 

 horse-mussel had spun a new 'byssus' and attached itself to the surround- 

 ing objects, the transplanting of clams might take place with increased pro- 

 spects of success. But it would be worse than useless to make any such 

 experiments unless absolute protection were afforded to those conducting 

 the experiment. The experiment would require care and attention, for 

 it might be a few years before the clams attained a vigorous position. 

 On the successful formation of the bed the fishermen might be permitted 

 to dredge for bait under well-devised rules, formed and administered by 

 the fishery authorities. '^Otherwise, without such administration, the 

 fisherman might, nay, would be sure to repeat the foolish policy which 

 ruined the beds in the Firth of Clyde, and threatened and still threatens 

 the destruction of the valuable cockle beds in the Hebrides. 



V, Conclusion. 



What ought to be done to ensure to the fishermen an adequate supply 

 of bait which will be lasting 1 This inquiry at once opens up the con^ 

 sideration of the mussel question, which is occupying not only the minds 

 of fishermen but also of those interested in the condition of the fishermen 

 and in the food supply. The first thing necessary is a complete survey of 

 all the mussel and clam beds now existing, and a knowledge of the condi- 

 tions under which the mussels and clams thrive. Something is already 

 known on these subjects, but there is still much to do to fill up the blanks in 

 our knowledge. Besides, the suitability or otherwise of different parts of 

 our coasts to the formation of new beds is a comparatively unknown factor, 

 and one that merits investigation. Nothing is at present done to husband the 

 resources of such clam and cockle beds as we have ; they are left to take 

 care of themselves, and nothing is done to further their expansion. No 

 mere spasmodic attempts at supervision will suffice, for regulation and 

 inspection, to be valuable, must be intelligent, thorough, and continuous. 

 Without some such systematic treatment, based on scientific principles, the 

 crisis is bound to be accelerated, and the quantities of bait and food 

 obtainable from molluscs lessened. Attention has been repeatedly called 

 by different parties to the work done in this and kindred departments by 

 the authorities of France, of Spain, and of the United States, and yet in 

 Scotland we lag as far behind as ever. Not only have the mussel, clam, 

 oyster, and cockle beds not been surveyed and mapped out, but, though 

 certain parts of the coast are tolerably well known, many beds exist known 

 to few other than local men. 



The first requisite is that an exhaustive examination be made of the 

 present beds; then an investigation into beds which existed in recent years, 

 but are now depleted. Inquiry might be made into the causes of such 

 destruction, whether it has been due to overfishing, or whether any climatic 

 or local changes have taken place that might account for it. The differ- 

 ence in the living organisms present near the spatting grounds, and these 

 present on the fattening grounds would give scientific corroboration or 

 disproof of popular theories, and thus we might arrive at the biological 

 conditions which are best fitted to further molluscan development. Then 

 might follow a determination of the localities that are most suitable for 



