CONTENTS 



Chapter Page 



Preface Ill 



I. Taxonomy 1 



II. Morphology and structure of shell 16 



III. The ligament 48 



IV. General anatomy 65 



V. The mantle 74 



VI. The labial palps Ill 



VII. The gills 121 



VIII. The adductor muscle 152 



IX. Transport of water by the gills and respiration 185 



X. The organs of digestion and food of the oyster 219 



XI. The circulatory system and blood 239 



XII. The excretory system 271 



XIII. The nervous system 281 



XIV. Organs of reproduction : 297 



XV. Eggs, sperm, fertilization, and cleavage 324 



XVI. Larval development and metamorphosis 355 



XVII. Chemical composition 381 



XVIII. Environmental factors affecting oyster populations 397 



Subject and author index 457 



