338 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



1885 r — Ryder, John A. The oystor problem actually solved. <Fore8t and Stream, 



New York, October 22, 1885, vol. xxv, pp. 249-250. 

 1885 B — Ryder, John A. Resting position of oysters. <Nature, London, November 

 26, 1885, vol. XXXIII, pp. 80-81. 



Opposes the theory advanced by T. J. Cuniiinghara that oysters rest on the convex 

 side. See 1885 <;. 

 1885 1— Ryder, John A. New system of oyster culture. <Science, New York, 

 November 27, 1885, vol. vi, pp. 465-467. 

 The principles of the new system are aa follows : 



(1) Oyster embryos diffuse themselves throughout the three dimensions of a body of 

 ■water, and will affix themselves to collecting surfaces similarly distributed, up to and even 

 above low-water level. 



(2) The floating fry will adhere to smooth surfaces as well as rougb ones. 



(3) The surfaces upon which spatting occurs must be kept aa free as possible from sedi- 

 ment and organic growths, in order that the very small molluslvs may not be" smothered 

 and killed during the most critical period of their lives. 



(4) Artiiicial fertilization of the egg of the oyster is feasible, and will become an impor- 

 tant adjunct to successful spat-culture. 



(5) The water charged with embryo oysters may be passed through a steam pump 

 ■without injury. 



(6) Oyster fry usually adheres most freely to the under surface of shells or other collec- 

 tors, because the lower side is cleanest, and most favorable to the survival of the animals. 



(7) The spat of the oyster will grow and thrive with comparatively little light. 



(8) The specific gravity of the water may range from 1.003 to 1.0235. 



(9) The most favorable temperatures of the ^ ater for spatting seem to be from 68° to 

 about 80° r. 



(10) Spatting will occur just as freely in ponds or tanks with a free circulation as in 

 open water. 



1885 u — Stuart-Wortley. The resting position of oysters. <]Nature, London, 

 October 29, 1885, vol. xxxii, p. 625. 



In this writer's experiments "the young oysters born in tanks rested on the flatter 

 shell when they obtained a flat surface, such as a tilo, to adliere to; but when so arranged 

 that they had irregular surfaces to deal with, such as little bundles of twigs, some adhered 

 one way and some another. But where young oysters, nearly two years old, were moved 

 from their original supports, and were compelled to find new ones, they selected the flat 

 shell to rest upon in every instance, except where they were placed on sand, in which case 

 they rested on the convex shell, in order apparently to avoid clogging the mouth of the 

 shell with sand." See 1885 £?. 

 1885 V— Turner, W. Resting position of oysters. <Nature, London, November 



12, 1885, vol. XXXIII, p. 30. 

 1885 w — Verrill, A. E. How long will oysters live out of water. < Bulletin U. S. 

 Fish Commission, 1885. Washington, 1885, vol. v, pp. 161-162. 



In the instance described the oysters lived ten weeks under very unfavorable circum- 

 stances - 

 1885 X— Winslovw, Francis. The North Carolina oyster industry. <Fore8t and 

 Stream, New York, May 7 and 14, 1885, vol. xxiv, pp. 292, 293, and 332. 



A paper read at the Fishermen's Convention, Ealeigh, October 16, 1884. Cites instances 

 of the depletion of oyster beds in all parts of the world, reviews the development of the 

 oyster, and outlines the practical application of the information to the water areas of North 

 Carolina. 

 1885 y — Wood, W. M. Report of operations at St. Jerome station, in laying ouft 

 oyster ponds, by the steamer Fish Hawk, in 1883. <Report U. S. Fish 

 Commission, 1883. Washington, 1885, vol. xi, pp. 1153-1156. 



Contains a brief table showing the results of dredging on oyster beds by the steamer 

 Fish Hawk in various localities in Maryland from November 15 to 24, 1883. 

 1885 z Anonymous. Oyster commission of New York. <:^Forest and Stream, New 

 York, February 26, 1885, vol. xxiv, ]j. 91. 

 Jloviows the first r(jport of the Kew York (ijster commissioner. See 1885-6. 



