BIRTH, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF OYSTERS. 115 



But, after all, taking into consideration the universal 

 interest in the Oyster Question, together with the fact that 

 in support of the hitherto attainable knowledge neces- 

 sary for the protection and productive cultivation of this 

 delicious phosphate ; " difference of opinion" from com- 

 petent scientists (although retracing the same ground) can 

 only serve to expand our narrow views, illumine our ignor- 

 ance, and sharpen our intellectual faculties ; and, I think, 

 that, taken in this light, no apology is needed, or that the 

 reader will demand one, for my purpose mentioned ; or 

 that I shall be accused of " unnecessary repetition," relative 

 to the larvae of the oyster, in quoting from Mr. James G. 

 Bertram's " Harvest of the Sea," wherein (p. 234), alluding 

 to the spawn of the oyster, that able and entertaining 

 writer says: " My 'theory' is that the parent oyster goes 

 on brewing its spawn for some time I have seen it oozing 

 from the same animal for some days and it is supposed 

 that the spawn swims about with the current for a short 

 period before it falls, being in the meantime devoured by 

 countless sea animals of all kinds. The operation of 

 nursing, brewing, and exuding the spat from the parental 

 shell will occupy a considerable period say from two to 



four weeks On occasions of visiting the beds, 



I have seen the dredge covered with spawn, and no pen 

 could number the thousands of millions of oysters thus 

 prevented from ripening into life. Economists ought to 

 note this fact with respect to fish generally, for the enor- 

 mous destruction of spawn of all kinds must exercise a very 

 serious influence on our fish supplies. I may also note that 

 the state of the weather has a serious influence on the spawn 

 and on the adult oyster-power of spawning. A cold season 

 is very unfavourable, and a decidedly cold day will kill the 

 spat." 



