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23 Having noticed in the newspapers that an excitement relative to fresh water pearlmussels prevailed in many parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and the upper Mississippi drainage-area, Dr. Stearns prepared a typewritten circular which was sent to various parties in the region, requesting specimens of [[strikethrough]] mollusks [[/strikethrough]] mussels from which pearls had been obtained. In response to this several parcels of shells were forwarded to the Museum and are now awaiting identification after which Dr. Stearns will prepare a review of the subject with such comments as it may seem to require. The collectors of the Department of Agriculture under the direction of Dr. C. Hart Merriam have forwarded several interesting packets of shells which have been studied by Dr. Stearns with the result of finding several new things the manuscript relating to which is now in the hands of the printer.