THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE OYSTER. 161 



one of Nature's economic processes ; for the pad is absorbed, literally 

 consumed, and the baby-oyster in this way gets a start that secures it 

 a rapid gi*o\vth for it should be borne in mind that this is a critical 

 period in the life of this diminutive thing. It is just now that it has 

 to draw so largely on its small capital of vital resources, by directing 

 the growth-force to the one object a sure anchorage. Thus the secre- 

 tions labor on the cementation of the lower valve to some solid object. 

 Then comes the general shell-growth, which is very rapid, and at the 

 same time the accelerated internal development ; all which amounts 

 to an entire reconstruction. 



If, now, to this triple draft, occasioned by the anchoring, the shell- 

 growth, and the development of the internal organs, one should add 

 the necessity of procuring food in the usual amount, and by the usual 

 means, would not the combined demand be exhaustive beyond the 

 little creature's powers and resources ? It should be observed, too, 

 that now the food-necessity is more urgent than at any other period 

 of its existence. It is also observable that the banquet prepared is 

 ampler than at any other time. This is surely a striking instance in 

 lowly quarters of a wise conservation of material and force. I am 

 aware that this pad is differently disposed of by some naturalists ; 

 that it is said to drop off, and to be wasted; but, as I have witnessed 

 a similar utilization of an otherwise useless member in other larval 

 forms, I believe that observation will establish this view. And how 

 remarkable this internal change, so rapidly progressing in the little 

 oyster ! It is a series of almost magic transformations. The eyes 

 if it had any are gone. The external cilia, which served it for loco- 

 motive and breathing organs, disappear, and within appear true bran- 

 chiae, like those of its mother. A stomach, too, is now built up, and 

 the labial fingers are provided. And that tiny, true heart appears, to 

 the music of whose beating the little creature begins in earnest its life- 

 work, as a perfect oyster, although hardly yet larger than the head 

 of a pin. When a month old, it equals a large pea in size ; at six 

 months, it is an inch or more in length ; at four years, it is large and 

 amply ready for market, or even at three years, if the conditions of 

 growth have been favorable. 



The Oyster's Companions. For raising the seed, that is, the 

 young oysters intended to be planted, a hard bottom, with plenty of 

 shells, or objects for attachment of the spat, is desirable. But such a 

 location would not be the place for growing and fattening the adult. 

 A bottom with two or three inches of organic mud, and a hard pan 

 beneath, and that in an estuary, or somewhere commanding a current, 

 and receiving the river-flow, is the best. In this flocculent organic 

 mud is much of the food of the oyster, and this food is in lively mo- 

 tion upon its surface. The algre, or sea-weeds, often anchor to the 

 shell, and adorn it with fronds of olive, and ruby, and the most ex- 

 quisite emerald, while the sporules which rain from them are the true 



VOL. VI. 11 



