The Mussels of the Mississippi River

There have been a number of mussel surveys (Smith, 1889; Coker, 1914; Grier and Mueller, 1922-23; Grier, 1922, 1926) in the Mississippi River to determine the relative value of these animals as a source of pearl button material. Other studies (Cooper, 1834; Galtsoff, 1924; Wiebe, 1927; Ellis, 1931) were concerned more with general biological problems involving ecology, limnology and fisheries. Several valuable lists (Pratt, 1876; Call, 1885; Grant, 1885; Baker, 1903, 1905; Shimek, 1921; Dawley, 1947) furnish good records of species from various parts of this river. However, there has not been a single published report which gives an account of the distribution of these animals throughout the productive area of the main stream. A comprehensive survey made by Max M. Ellis and his staff during the summers of 1930 and 1931 now makes possible a report on those collections. These records are the only inclusive source of information concerning this unusually rich assemblage of naiades in our largest river.