28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The locli being well slieltered, tliey are able to work in almost any 

 weather. In November they went out about 7 A.M. and returned 

 at sunset. 



The dredge used is the old form, with the scraper on one side 

 only, forming a tiiangle with the two side arms, which are con- 

 nected by a ring for the rope. The under side of the bag is made 

 of iron rings, all joined together, and attached to the scraper, and 

 the upper side of corded network; its edge, however, is free, with 

 corks placed at a small distance apart to keep the mouth of the 

 bag open. 



The stern being clear, the boat is put before the wind, and the 

 dredge thrown over. After a run for some distance, she is 

 brought to, and it is hauled up. The side arms are used as a 

 lever, and the scraper tilted upon the gunwale, when the contents 

 are emptied into the stern. After one or two hauls, the oysters 

 are picked out from the rubbish, and thrown into the centre of 

 the boat and sorted — the practised eye of tlie dredger at once 

 recognising all that will not pass through the guage. This is a 

 two inch ring, and such as pass longways through it are returned 

 to the water till they attain a more respectable size. All the 

 crabs, anemias, shells, etc., go overboard with the stones and 

 gravel, under the name of rubbish. 



On returning to Stranraer, the inspector takes a look that none 

 are below the minimum size, and fines are inflicted if such is the 

 case. The oysters are then counted into baskets, get one farewell 

 dip in the loch, and are hauled up to the pier, where they are 

 emptied into barrels (1000 per barrel), and transmitted by railway 

 and steamboat to the market. 



The largest are obtained on the East, or Cairnryan side, but the 

 most fertile ground is above the Scaur at Kirkcolm. Much larger 

 oysters are obtained at Drummore, near the Mull of Galloway. 

 The average breadth of a full-grown four-year-old oyster is four 

 inches, and up to that age the animal growth is readily seen. 

 The shell then begins to increase in thickness as well as size, and 

 its age thereafter can only be approximated. 



The ruljbisli brought up by the dredge consisted chiefly of 

 stones of small size, and very seldom of gravel, or sand, or mud; 

 the bottom therefore seemed to be tolerably smooth and firm. 

 The great mass of sea-weed was Latorencia ohtusa, variously 

 attached to shells, stones, and other algte. Fucus serratus and 



