LIBRARY 



29 \^^ -...,. - 



a line running southwest and northeast past the mouth of the 

 river. This line was assumed to be the outermost limit of the cur- 

 rent produced by the effect of the southwest wind on the mouth 

 of the river. As a matter of fact when a southwest wind was 

 blowing a tide rift indicated the limits of the river current midway 

 between Station A. and the east jetty. 



The west planting, Station B., was made with reference to the 

 same factors as Station A. Station B. was placed outside of the 

 probable course of river water when driven by the southeast wind, 

 and as in the case of Station A. a tide rift was usually seen slightly 

 west of the west jetty when a southeast wind was blowing. 



On August 29th 15 bushels of shells were planted broadcast at 

 Station A. and a similar number at Station B. On September 23rd 

 some of these shells were taken up and carefully examined. No 

 trace of spat was found at either station. 



DISCUSSION OF RESULTS. 



The completely negative result obtained in experiment No. II 

 is not without meaning and may in the future lead to more impor- 

 tant results. At present it shows definitely only that Stations A. 

 and B. were beyond the range of the currents of the river due to 

 the southwest and southeast winds, and that there is little like- 

 lihood of obtaining a set outside of these ranges. In other words, 

 there is no fry in the Gulf near the Calcasieu River except what 

 comes from the river itself. 



The chief bearing which the results at Stations A. and B. have 

 are on a point which was not primarily considered when the 

 plantings were made. Up to the present no experiments have been 

 published which show how far from its point of origin the oyster 

 fry travels before settling down. The question- is obviously of 

 great importance to planters who do not care to stock their beds 

 with seed. Two views are held on the subject ; one that the young 

 oyster does not travel very far and that it is of great advantage 

 in consequence to plant sexually mature oysters with the shells 

 intended to catch spat ; the other, that the young oyster in its free 

 swimming state travels so far that the chance of its settling down 

 near the place where its parents are is one in infinity. 



The question is not an easy one to decide because the number 

 of factors which govern the distance travelled by a young oyster 

 larva is very great. The independent motion of the larva is one, 

 but the currents and eddies into which it may come are many. It 



