are evidences to indicate that when the disturbance is severe, as when the mussel is taken entirely out of the water, or is exposed to the sun by an unusually low stage of water, or is affected by extreme cold, the withdrawal of the mantle is so extreme as to break the living connection with the edge of the shell, and thus to cause, when growth is resumed, an interruption line or plane in the shell which is present ever afterwards.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MUSSEL FAUNA. Consequently a primitive fauna and flora are to be looked for in this valley, one that began with the very origin of the valley itself, and has been gradually developing ever since without any serious disturbance; and in fact the best American authorities regard the Mississippi Valley as the original home of freshwater mussels upon this continent, the rest of the rivers, ponds, and streams having been populated from this source. Some authorities even say that there is evidence to show that this fauna developed first in the New World and then spread to the Old World. However that may be, it is certain that the Mississippi area has the greatest diversity of species and the most magnificent shells to be found anywhere in the world. sort of secondary center has been established at Dover, Tenn., where Mr. Walter, one of the leading merchants of the town, purchased most of the local shells and hired most of the clammers. Furthermore, the business in this part of the river was conducted in the most approved and up-to-date manner. The boats were towed to and from the mussel beds by small launches, the mussels themselves were con veyed from the boats up the steep river bank by steam power, and were finally cleaned by steam conveyed to the pans in a pipe from the engine.

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