MOLLl'NCA 



141 



Fig. 22 

 Oyster Reef, Pierces Point, N. J. (Delaware Bay) 



ped from the oyster grounds of Maurice River Cove 

 alone. 



Oysters live in great beds in bays and esturaries 

 where the sea water is diluted with considerable 

 fresh water from the rivers. In most places oysters 

 live in shallow water and from New Jersey south- 

 ward they may often be seen exposed between the 

 tides. Figure shows an oyster bed or reef in 

 Delaware Bay as it appears at low tide. 



The life history of the oyster is very inter- 

 esting, and one that has received considerable study 

 from biologists. In the spring or early summer, or 

 as soon as the water has reached a temperature of 

 68° or 70° F., the oyster begins to spawn. The time 

 of spawning varies considerably with the locality. 

 In Long Island Sound, most oysters spawn in late 

 July; in New Jersey spawning occurs in May or 



