1056 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



far abler writers which I have advanced, and, in this final 

 chapter, other such that I do advance and urge in support 

 of my theory, even if they are not overwhelming in proof 

 thereof, will go far to confirm the practical utility of the 

 suggestions subsequently to be detailed for the instruction 

 of, and in the interest of the British ostraculturist ; opinions 

 which (despite any weak points seen and seen only by 

 opponents) are yet consistent enough to await their triumph 

 in the verdict of the general public upon their common 

 sense-dictated appeal for practical application. 



Upon the whole, taking into consideration my above- 

 mentioned object in writing these chapters, I may say, 

 almost in the very words of Mobius, that " I believe I 

 have already demonstrated that true oyster-culture must be 

 conducted according to the same principles that are em- 

 ployed in the extensive cultivation of any other living 

 commodity. If I have done so, then I have accomplished 

 what should not have been necessary ; for what is more 

 natural than that both oysters and oyster-culture should be- 

 subject to the same universal, controlling, biological laws. 

 And yet an explanation was necessary, for not only the 

 ignorant in natural science, but men also who teach and 

 write upon biological subjects, have, even in our day, 

 expected the most impossible results from the artificial 

 breeding of oysters. The investigator has seldom to seek 

 for new facts and ideas alone ; generally, in the first place, 

 he must be able to recognize and expunge from the system 

 any errors which may exist in the knowledge previously 

 acquired, and in their places establish those facts and ideas 

 which he has found to be true. And while I am aware 

 that the book hereby presented to the world contains but a 

 very modest share of what we wish to know with certainty 

 concerning oyster biology and oyster culture ; still I have 



