OYSTER RESOURCES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



361 



doubted, the success of such, au experiment. With the present more rapid transporta- 

 tion and a better knowledge of their treatment en route, I think it very advisable 

 to try iind introduce them to the Pacifio coast. 



The introduction of oysters from Japan would probably not be diffi- 

 cult, as a great many species of sliellflsli from that region are identical 

 with California species. 



Attempts have been made by oyster-growers in San Fran(;isco Bay 

 to introduce the large oysters of the Yaqni Kiver lagoons and other parts 

 of western Mexico, which strikingly resemble 0. virginica, but a large 

 percentage of the oysters died on the voyage. The change from the 

 warm waters of that latitude to the bay of San Francisco was supposed 

 to be too great, even if they survived the voyage. I can testify to the 

 large size, good flavor, and great abundance of the Yaqui Eiver oysters 

 from personal experience. They are so abundant that we frequently 

 loaded the dingey of the Albatross by merely gathering them from the 

 borders of the shell heaps exposed everywhere at low tide. The tem- 

 perature of the water while we were there (March 31 and April L, 1889) 

 ranged from 69° to 73° F. Now that there is railroad connection 

 between Gaaymas, Mexico, and San Francisco, the introduction of 

 these oysters by rail might give better results. 



Table showing the temperature of the water in the viciniti/ of the natural oi/ster beds near 

 the mouth of the Yaqui River, Mexico, March 31 a)ul. April 1, 1889. 



Locality and time. 



Otf Algodones L.agoou : 



Mar. 81, 12 m 



Mar. 31, 1 p. iii 



Mar. 31, 2 p. m 



Mar. 31, 3 p.m 



Mar. 31,4 p. m 



Mar. 31,5 p. m 



Mar. 31, 6 p. m 



Mar. 31,7 p. ni 



Mar.31,8 p.m 



Mar. 31, 9 p. m 



Mar. 31, 10 p. ni 



Mar. 31,11 p. in 



Mar. 31, 12 p. ui 



Apr. 1, 1 a. m 



Apr. 1,2 a. m 



Apr. 1, 3 a. m 



Locality aud time. 



OfFAlgodoues-Lagooii — cont'd 



Apr. 1,4 a. m 



Apr. 1,5 a. m 



Apr. 1,6 a. m 



Apr. 1,7 a. m 



Apr. 1,8 a. m 



Apr. 1 , 9 a. m 



Apr. 1,10 a. m 



Apr. 1,11 a. m 



Off Yaqui Kiver : 



Apr. 1,12 m 



Apr. 1, 1 p. m 



A])r. 1, 2 p.m 



Apr. 1, 3 p.m 



Apr. 1,4 p. m 



Apr. 1,5 p.m 



It should be stated that the hourly temperatures taken by the Alba- 

 tross were not in Algodones Lagoon or in the mouth of Yaqui River, l)ut 

 at the ship's auchorage, a mile or two outside, in the Gulf of California, 



In December, 1890, a large shipment of oysters was made from Aca- 

 jiulco to San Francisco, but most of them died on the way. The few 

 that reached market were considered good. This species was doubtless 

 the Ostrea iridescens, a large oyster common in the vicinity of Aca])ulco. 



The oyster of the Gulf of California has been referred by some con- 

 chologists to Ostrea virginica. In Carpenter's Shells of Mazatlan it is 

 referred to that species, and in the collection of the U. S. National 



