796 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



. At intervals during the day the number of 

 dredging vessels in sight was recorded for reference, and 

 subsequently an attempt was made to collect data for the 

 estimation of the number of oysters taken in a day by each 

 sail. At each anchorage the current was measured. 



From the results given by using the pole in the boats 

 and the dredge in the schooner, the outlines of the beds 

 (were) traced on a chart. 



. The limit of scattered oysters can only be 

 considered as approximate, as the lines (on the chart) were 

 drawn from information received from local oystermen, and 

 from such observations as we were enabled to make our- 

 selves the boats (being) unable to ascertain 



the positions of any but the solid beds or large clusters, 

 and the schooner not being able to work in less than eight 

 feet of water, our ability to determine the area covered by 

 the scattered oysters was necessarily limited. As that area, 

 and indeed that of the solid beds also, is variable, changing 

 from year to year, the line inclosing the scattered oysters 

 may be considered as accurate as it is necessary to have it. 



TIDES. 



Considering the great depth of water over the majority 

 of the beds, it was concluded that the slight variation in 

 those depths, caused by the tides, could have but little 

 influence on the oysters, .... 



SPECIMENS. 



. . . . One specimen of an adult oyster of two 

 years' growth or more, one of from one to two years' 

 growth, and one less than a year old, were usually selected 



from each locality In their selection we 



attempted to reserve such as would indicate the effect of 

 natural conditions. At the close of the day's work the 

 oyster specimens were washed in salt water, opened care- 



