Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-11
MUSSEL GROWN ARTIFICIGLLY
Experiments Indicate Fresh Water
Species Can Be Produced.
CONGRESSMAN DAWSON PLEASED
Threatened Extinction OF source Of
the PearI Button supply r.
Averted by Efforts Of the
lows Man.


WASHINGTON. Dec. Especial -Rep-
sesentaive A. F. Dawson Of Iowa, who
really conceived the idea that artificial
propagation Of the fresh water mussel was
a practical proposition and could be car
ried out by the government with results
that would prove Of commercial value to
tho great pearl button industry Of the
United states, Is greatly elated over re-
ports he has received from the officials
Of the bureau Of fisheries since his return
TO Washington. Congressman Dawson Is
now informed that the experiments which
we're started at the substaton Of the bu-
reau Of fisheries at La Crosse, Wis, have
proved successful. even beyond the most
sanguine hopes Of the government experts.
Through these experiments It is found
that the mussel may be artincially proga-
gated successfully producing a mussel Of
commercial size and value within three
and a half years instead OF seven years,
the length OF time originally computed by
the scientists as being necessary to pro-
ouce a sizeable musseL
Development of Eggs.
The manner In whioa the eggs Of the
female develop is a most interesting and
strange method OF arriving at maturity.
The mussel carry their young in the gllls,
which act as a marsuium or breed cham
Der until the completion of the embryonic
development The eggs are passed from
the ovaries into the supra-bronchial cham
beers, where they are fortified by sperms-
toza brought in by the inhalent current OF
water. The entire embryonic development
takes place within the marsupium, and
At the end Of this period the glochidium,
which has become liberated from the egg
membrane within the gill. is fully formed.
In those species of mussels known as
summer breeders" the glochlda are dis
charged at once, while in many others the
so-cailed winter breeders" they are car
RED In the giils for several months before
being set free in the water.
The glochidia do not complete their de-
velopment unless they become attached
70 fishes, and the metamOrphosis occurs
while they are living parasitically in
cryst formed on the epidermis Of the host.
After discharge from the marsupium the
glOchidia under natural conditions, lie
quiescent on the bottom, their valves
gaping widely apart and unless chance
brings them in contact with fish they
will die. once attached to the gills OF
external parts of a fish, however, the rest
Of the development, II conditions are ia
vorabie, Is assured.
One Fish Does for Many.
This unique popularity in the life his
tory of fresh water mussels has been taker
advantage Of in artificial propagation, as
Il has been found that a single fish, ever
though small, may successfully carry tC
the close of metamorphosis several hun.
dred glochidia one fish may, therefore
be made to do the work OF large number
in a state of nature. for under ordinary
conditions II Is extremely improbable thai
more than a very few glochidia would
succeed in attaching themselves to sin
gle fish.
In order to test the feasibility of infect
ing large numbers OF fish, which is pre-
requisite Of artificial propagation, an ex
tensive experiment, in which over $500
fish we're employed. was made at the sub
station of the bureau OF fisheries at La
Crosse, wis. IN November 1907. Sever
species OF fishes, and glochidia from fou
species OF Lampslis were used In the ex
pertinent The fishes, with the exception
OF the German carp and the bullheads
were successfully infected and retained II
the tanks OF the station for over tw
months, when they were liberated in tn
west channel Of the Mississippi river a
that place The experiment completef
demonstrated the possibility Of making in
fections successfully on a large scale an
OF retaining the fish until near the clos
Of the parasitic period.
In November, 1908. similar experiment
was carried out at the station Of the bu
reau at Manchester, Ia. whore 1900 large
mouthed bass and crappes were infecte
with the glochidia OF several species {
Lampsills. The fish we're kept at the sta
ton for one month and then placed In II
Maquoketa river between two dams.
During the fall and winter Of 1Sos-Os In
feoted fishes were put into ponds In Il
neighborhood Of Columbia. Mo.
From all these experiments now con
most gratifying reports as to results, an
the threatened extinction OF mussels
the Mississippi river and Its tributaries
those species of mussels whose shells hay
been taken in enormous numbers durin
the last fifteen years for the manufactul
OF pearl buttons IL would seem, with su
ficient governmental aid. may be success
fully averted ana a vast industry save
from annihilatiOn because OF the lack