E V I O R A Miaseium of Comparative Zoology Cambridge, Mass. November 29, 1954 Number 40 SOME MOLLUSKS FROM THE CONTINENTAL SLOPE OF NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA^ By Arthur H. Clarke, Jr. The continental slope area of northeastern North America has always been a relatively unknown and unexplored region. Onl.v meager information has been on record in regard to the kind and abundance of its fauna. More knowledge is desirable, not only for academic interest, but also that proper evaluation may be made with the ultimate aim of supplementing man's ever-increasing need for additional sources of food. With these objects in mind, in 1952 and 1953 the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution began a survey of the bottom fauna existing on the continental slope area. An eighty-three foot trawler, the Cap'n Bill II was. equipped for the task, and bottom trawlings were made along the slope from a point east of Cape Charles, Virginia, to a point southeast of Nova Scotia in various depths ranging approximately from 100 to 700 fathoms. Otter trawls were used carrying one and one-half inch mesh at the cod end, and measuring thirty-five feet, fifty feet, and sixty-five feet initially across the mouth. The work was under the direction of Mr. W. C. Schroeder of the Woods Hole Oceano-graphic Institution,. to whom we are indebted for the fine array of mollusks collected. Mollusks were not the primary concern of the survey, and the large size of the mesh prevented retention of the smaller specimens, though many of the larger species were obtained. These were submitted to Dr. W. J. Clench, Curator of Mollusks at the Museum of Comparative Zoology to be added to the research collection. 1 Contribution No. 722 from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
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