72 NATIVE OYSTERS. 



the opening of its shell, thereby receiving a fresh portion 

 of water into the concavity of its under shell ; and did 

 it not thus open the shelly the water could neither 

 be propelled through its breathing apparatus, nor 

 sifted for its food. In this manner they lie in their 

 native beds : were they on their flat surface, no food 

 could be gathered, and if exposed by the retreating tide, 

 the opening of the shell would allow the water to escape 

 and leave them dry, destitute alike of respiration and 

 of food. 



The " native " oysters among us in the highest re- 

 pute, are obtained at Milton in Kent, about forty miles 

 from London, and are consumed throughout England. 

 The beds at Colchester, Maldon, Queenborough, and 

 Rochester are among those that are much esteemed, 

 and from whence the London market is supplied. 

 Large quantities of oysters are procured from beds 

 in the isles of Wight and Jersey, and on the coast 

 of Wales, to be consumed in the neighbouring dis- 

 tricts. They are found also in beds in the Frith of 

 Forth : the Musselburgh oysters are, however, consi- 

 dered the best, and are called " pan doors," from being 

 taken close by the doors of the salt-pans. 



As the beds lie within a comparatively small space, 

 dredging for oysters is carried on in fleets. The ves- 



