BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 161 



Vol. V, No. II. Washington, ©. C. April 25, 1885. 



3-1. -IIOW L.OIVO WILL OYSTERS LIVE OUT OF WATER? 



By Prof. A. E. VCKR1LL. 



My attention was recently called by Capt. C. H. Townscnd to a large 

 cluster of oysters attached to an old boot which had been hanging iu 

 the front windows of the fish market of Charles Peed, in this city, for 

 a long time. This cluster was taken from the water in the early part 

 of December, 1S84 (about the 10th, it is said), and when I examined it 

 on February 25 several of the larger oysters were still alive. I am told 

 that they continued to live for some days afterwards. The larger ones 

 which were still alive were of about the size ordinarily sold in the mar- 

 ket. Most of the smaller ones were dead, and many of the larger ones, 

 of which the edges had been broken or chipped, were dead and dried 

 up when 1 saw them. Those that were alive had all been hung up with 

 the front edge of the shell doicnicard and the hinge upward. They had 

 been hanging in the show window, attached to a gas-burner, duriug the 

 whole time (over ten weeks), freely exposed to the air and light. The 

 room was, of course, rather cool, as such shops usually are in winter, 

 and the window space, although open freely to the shop, was doubtless 

 still cooler, especially at night, but the air must have been dry and the 

 temperature quite variable. The window faces to the west and would 

 have direct sunlight in the afternoon. The remarkable duration, of the 

 life of these oysters is undoubtedly due to two causes : 



1. The perfect condition of the edges of the shells, which allowed them 

 to close up very tightly. 



2. The position, suspended as they were, with the front edge down- 

 ward, is the most favorable position possible for the retention of water 

 within the gill-cavity, for in this position the edges of the mantle would 

 closely pack against the inner edges of the shell, effectually closing any 

 small leaks, and the retained water would also be in the most favorable 

 position to moisten the gills, even after part had evaporated. It is also 

 possible that when iu this position the oyster instinctively keeps the shell 

 tightly closed, to prevent the loss of water. 



This incident may give a hint as to the best mode of transporting oys- 

 ters and clams long distances. Perfect shells should be selected, and 

 they should be packed with the front edge doicnicard, and kept moder- 

 ately cool, in a crate or somo such receptacle which will allow a free 

 circulation of air. Under such favorable conditions selected oysters 

 can doubtless be kept from eight to twelve weeks out of water. Prob- 

 ably the quahaug, or round clam, which has a very tightly closing shell, 

 when perfect, cau be kept equally long in the same way. 



New Haven, Conn., March 9, 1SS5. 



Bull. U. S. F. C, 85 11 



