BIRTH, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF OYSTERS. 123 



growth of the weed called zostera marina, which affords a 

 shelter to the stock when placed in the comparatively 

 shallow beds, during the summer months. 



Elaborate preparations are made at the principal 

 oyster breeding establishments, both in England and 

 abroad, to ensure the successful adhesion of the spat, and 

 for its subsequent fattening for the market. Various im- 

 provements have been made in the material employed as 

 " cultch ' or "collectors' 1 for the infant population. 

 From bundles of wood to stones, from stones to empty 

 shells, from shells to specially made tiles, advances have 

 been made, till perfection is believed to have been attained 

 in the adoption of tiles, made in a V-form, inverted, and 

 coated with a thin layer of lime and sand, on which the 

 young spat adhere, and from which they can be detached 

 by chipping off the said mixture, and preventing injury to 

 the shell or the destruction of the tile. Formerly, great 

 loss was experienced in the removal of the crop of oysters 

 from the collectors, but by the above method the risk of 

 injury is reduced to a minimum. When removed, they are 

 placed in special beds, to which the access of the tide is 

 regulated by means of hatches and sluices, and from which 

 enemies are excluded by ingeniously contrived traps. 

 "Nurseries" are established for the weakly population, 

 "ambulances" for the wounded; while special quarters 

 are set apart for those that have done their duty, and 

 srown fat for the delectation of man. 



8 



Alluding to the long list of influences against which 

 every oyster has to struggle successfully, if it is to attain 

 maturity, with a perhaps too true inference that " larger 

 knowledge will doubtless add many others," Professor 

 Huxley says very truly that .... " these are enough 



