154 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



different in days long since past. E. Forbes says : 

 " During ancient epochs, as we learn from the fossils of 

 both tertiary and secondary strata, many more kinds of 

 oyster lived within our area, and multiplied so as to rival 

 the contents of any modern oyster-beds. The discoveries 

 of geologists open scenes of regret to the enthusiastic 

 oyster-eater, who can hardly gaze upon the abundantly 

 entombed remains of the apparently well-fed and elegantly- 

 shaped oysters of our Eocene formation, without chasing 

 * a pearly tear away,' whilst he calls to mind how all these 

 delicate beings came into the world, and vanished, to so 

 little purpose." 



However, there is some consolation in the idea that 

 the breed of oysters may have since improved by " natural 

 selection," and that, if any of our prehistoric ancestors 

 existed in those bygone epochs, they were not so well off 

 as we are for the quality of this gastronomic luxury. 

 Oysters seem to have been as much sought for and enjoyed 

 in the " stone " age as they are at present, judging from 

 the vast heaps of large empty shells which are found in the 

 Danish Kjokkenmoddings (kitchen-middens), as well as in 

 the northern parts of the British isles. 



Lister was the first to describe the anatomy of the 

 oyster, from particulars which were communicated to him 

 by Dr. Willis. This description is tolerably accurate ; and 

 if the authority could be wholly relied on, these molluscs 

 ought not to suffer the discredit of being so stupid as is 

 proverbially alleged in Norway and Brittany. Willis states 

 that when the tide comes in they lie with their hollow 

 shells downwards, and when it goes out they turn on the 

 other side ; and he adds that they do not remove from their 

 places, unless in cold weather to cover themselves with the 



