108 POPULAR BRITISH CONCHOLOGY. 



The spat, or spawn, of the oyster is cast in the month of 

 May, and consists of a pulpy substance, described as resem- 

 bling a drop of tallow ; it adheres to the stones, shells, etc. 

 on which it drops at the bottom of the sea ; when thus fixed, 

 it is not many hours unclothed, for soon a shell begins to 

 be formed, which thickens and expands until arrived at 

 maturity. In two or tliree years' time it presents the strong, 

 heavy, beautifully lined, protecting case with which we are 

 so familiar. 



There are natural and artificial oyder-heds. In the for- 

 mer the oysters live and breed much more flourishingly than 

 in the latter ; but the stock is obliged to be guarded by strin- 

 gent rules, to prevent its exhaustion by eager fishermen. 

 The latter, particularly at Colchester and at the mouth of the 

 Thames, are made by taking the spat and laying it doAA^n 

 among rocks and stones in a sheltered place ; or by gather- 

 ing very young shells among stones and sand, and deposit- 

 ing them in the guarded enclosures. 



" The life of an oyster" is a phrase used to express all 

 that is dull, senseless, and monotonous in existence ; yet even 

 this sedentary creature fulfils, not without some sensations, 

 the purposes of his existence; one of which is, perhaps, 

 to feed some beings who, disdainfully as they think of his 



