SUPPLEMENT. I 2 29 



Poch is a conglomerate of small semi-globular drops, 

 that forms on the outside of oyster-shells : it is of a brick- 

 red colour, and, if squeezed, emits an odour very similar to 

 that of cucumber. 



Blubber, (3) called by various other names, such as 

 squashers, jellies, &c., is a great nuisance on some grounds. 

 It grows and accumulates very rapidly, and if left alone 

 would soon smother the beds. The Blackwater fishermen 

 collect it from every dredgeful, and than stamp it under 

 foot ; the sacs being thus emptied, air takes the place of 

 the liquid, on the pressure being removed ; it is then 

 thrown overboard, anil floats away with the tide if not 

 quite destroyed, at any rate it goes on to some one else's 

 ground. The same objections we have urged against the 

 foregoing organisms apply to polyps, sea anemones, and 

 all other sedentary animals and vegetables ; there is little 

 doubt that you cannot have your ground too clean for the 

 reception of oyster spat and the general purposes of oyster 

 culture. 



The Blackwater and its tributaries, as well as the 

 Colne and the Mersea grounds, are much troubled with 

 blubber. We saw a great deal on Mr. Harvey's ground, 

 though there was not a single five-finger or dog-whelk 

 there, and Mr. Harvey's grounds are no doubt most excel- 

 lently cultivated. 



(b) Poch, in Poole called " 7'addicks" is very numerous here. 

 When dredging I have frequently seen the dredge almost full of it, 

 quite to the extent of from ^ to i c\vt. at a time. Fishermen say that 

 they impede dredging so much that they will net take out licenses 

 until the frost sets in, so that they can fish better, for it is the peculi- 

 arity of these "Taddicks" to disappear after the first frost. 



