378 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Average sample of the excrements of 21 oysters, collected on plants of Mr. Cock, in shallow 



water, Hampton Creek, Va. 



Field 

 Xo. 



Preparation No. 1. 



Preparation No. 2. 



Dead. 



Living. 



Col. I. Col. II. 



L i V i n g, 1. 5 

 per cent. 



322 = 284+38 

 Entirely di- 

 gested, 87 per 

 cent. 

 Nearly d i- 

 ge8ted,12per 

 cent. 



Id 

 3d 



2d 



Id 



3d 

 4d 

 3d 

 4d 

 2d 

 Id 

 2d 

 3d 

 Id 

 2d 

 4d 

 3d 

 3d 

 7d 

 3d 

 4d 

 2d 

 2d 

 3d 



475 = 412+63 



Results of Preparation No. 1 : 



Ver et. 



Living 1. 5 



Nearly digested 12 



Entirely digested t87 



Total 100 



Results of Preparation No. 2: 



Living 1 



Dead 99 



Entirely digested 85 



Nearly digested 14 



Living 1 



Total 100 



Average from the two prepara- 

 tions : 



Digested 99 



Entirely 86 



Nearly ." 13 



Living 1 



Total 100 



* These few living diatoms might have been derived from the sea water used for breaking up the 

 excrements. All hve belonged to the same species, and as diatoms have amotion of their own it is 

 possible that the same individual figured in each case. 



t The smaller species were all entirely digested, so that they seem to ofler tlic best food for the oyster. 



Averatje sample of the excrements of 17 oysters, collected hy Mr. 11. Armstrong 10 miles up the 

 James River from Newport News, Va.; deep water. 



Field 

 No. 



Preparation No. 1. 



Living. 



Dead. 



Col. I. Col. IL 



Id 



2d 

 2d 



Id 

 Id 



82=70+12 



Preparation No. 2. 



Living. 



Dead. 



63=54+9* 



Results. 



Results from Preparation No. 1 : 



Per ct. 



Entirely digested 85 



Nenrl J' digested 14 



Living 1 



Total 100 



Results from Preparation No. 2: 



Entirely digested h6 



Nearly digested 14 



Living 



Total 100 



Average from the two prepara- 

 tions: 



Digested 09 



Entirely 85.5 



Nearly 14 



Living 0.5 



Total 100— 



'Enormous i|uautity of sand and many big species of diatoms. 



