26 
altogether under water, except at spring tides. The scaup with 
the adjoining “ Madges Bats ” offered therefore ample ground for 
choosing an area for transplanting the mussels from the regions 
where they were growing so badly, and also for further expansion 
if the experiment were attended with the success which was 
anticipated. 
An arrangement was made, thanks to Mr. Luke, for the ground 
chosen being stirred with a grubber, and on April 11th 12 plots 
of 1 /10th acre each were staked out, and arrangements were made 
with the local fishermen to get the mussels removed and spread on 
the plots. By April 24th when the experimental bed was again 
visited a good deal of the work of removal had been accomplished, 
and at this visit a small quantity of young mussels from Blytli was 
added. 
As Fenham Flats is not exposed to sewage contamination, and 
as the question of obtaining a pure mussel is viewed with import- 
ance by the Local Government Board and by the Fishmongers’ 
Company, I brought a sample on this day from the beds for 
bacteriological analysis by my colleague Professor Hutchens. The 
result was: “ 3rd May, 1910, mussels. I cannot say that these were 
absolutely free from B. coli, but the numbers were very, very 
small.” This examination referred as will be seen from what has 
been said above to the newly removed mussels. On May 4th, the 
work of transplantation was finished, 17 boat loads being required, 
and these with a small quantity from the Hen Pool near the mouth 
of the harbour, were spread over the plots. A further sample was 
obtained by Mr. William Wilson on May 11th, and this was 
sent to Professor Hutchens who wrote : “ I examined four of the 
six mussels. In none of the four was there any trace of the Colon 
bacillus.” At the request of the Secretary of the Fishmongers’ 
Company, Mr. J. Wrench Towse, a further sample was gathered by 
Mr. Wilson, and sent to me. I divided this sample into two, 
sending twelve mussels each to the Fishmongers’ Company and to 
Professor Hutchens. The following is Professor Klein’s report on 
the former. “May 30tli, 1910, re sample of mussels, No. 476. Of 
eight mussels none contain B. coli communis. Of four specially 
examined two contain some Streptococci, but not those commonly 
found in sewage. Of two specially examined neither contains 
enteritidis spores. Result — mussels exceptionally clean.” Pro- 
fessor Hutchens wrote : “ Among the last twelve mussels sent for 
examination, I find the Colon bacillus in one.” 
