12 



TABLE I. 



Average Density 

 in Calcasieu Pass. 

 Number of 

 Month. Observations. Average. 



July 31 1.0084 



August 32 1.0074 



September 17 I-0I43 



Average for Summer i.oioo 



CONDITIONS ON THE WEST JETTY. 



The physical conditions along the west jetty are different 

 from those which have been just described for the pass, and the 

 oysters which grow under these two sets of circumstances differ 

 as much as these do themselves. Whereas, the oysters in the 

 pass are long, narrow, thin-shelled, and of poor flavor, those grow- 

 ing on the jetty are isolated, well rounded and have a very good 

 tcnste. These differences are due partly to the fact that the west 

 jetty is out of the main channel of the river, which flows closely 

 to the east jetty ; that the water as a general rule is more salt,, 

 and never less so. than that in the river ; and, finally, that these 

 oysters instead of growing in densely crowded clusters are at- 

 tached to the rocks singly, and have every opportunity for normal 

 development. 



As I shall try to show later on, something in the local conditions^ 

 causing a "banking up" of the free swimming fry may account for 

 the fact tJiat the oysters in the pass are crowded together, and if 

 the explanation which I shall offer tentatively is the true one, the 

 ocurrence on the west jetty of better but fewer oysters than else- 

 where, is due in part to the fact that a smaller number of spat set- 

 tle there. But this is not the only reason. The water is always as 

 good as the best in the pass, and usually better, both as regards 

 salinity and food contents. This is certainly the reason why in 

 spite of the great hardships which all the oysters in Calcasieu 

 Pass were forced to undergo early in the season, the "jetty oys- 

 ters" not only survived in greater proportion than the others, but 

 actually were fat and of good flavor. 



