982 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



Now to these assertions the Commissioners say very 

 forcible replies are given. 



(i.) It is generally agreed that not more than 20 per 

 cent, or thereabouts of the oysters are ever spawning at 

 once ; at least 80 per cent, even at the worst of times 

 being eatable and in good condition. The celebrated 

 naturalist, Kroyer, who undertook an official examination 

 of the Danish oyster-beds, found not more than one oyster 

 in ten spatting even in July and August. 



(2.) Those who have been in the habit of dredging 

 for marine animals, and of bringing up the most delicately 

 organised creatures in great abundance alive, will not be 

 disposed to attach much weight to this objection. Every 

 naturalist is aware that the most delicate corallines and 

 ascidians may be dredged up roughly, placed in a bucke^ 

 of sea-water, and examined in full health and vigour after 

 an hour's sail homewards under such circumstances. Ac- 

 cording to the opinions expressed by Mr. Frank Buckland 

 and other witnesses, not only is no harm done by dredging 

 over the spat, but positive injury is the result of not dredg- 

 ing over the ground before the spat is deposited. 



(3.) The great argument for close time, that if oysters 

 are taken while breeding the supply will be exhausted 

 sooner than if they are left to breed, plausible as it seems, 

 will hardly stand investigation. Those who employ it 

 leave out of sight the fact, that oysters are taken before 

 they breed as well as after they breed. If a sheep-master 

 owns a hundred ewes, all of which will lamb next February, 

 it will make not the slightest difference to the increase of 

 his stock whether he destroys ten or three ewes this July, 

 or leaves them till they are just about to bring forth at the 

 end of next January. The increase altogether depends on 

 the absolute number of ewes which are allowed to bring 



