OYSTER-BEDS. 249 



Sergius Orator^ according to the testimony of Pennant, 

 was the first inventor of Ojster-becls_, as early as the days of 

 Liciniiis Crassus.the celebrated Eoman orator^ commended by 

 Cicero ; yet not for his own table, but because of the profit 

 which they yielded. His Lucrine Oysters retm^ned him a 

 large income, for, says Pliny, the British Oysters were not 

 then known. 



This country still retains her superiority, and most of the 

 coasts produce Oysters naturally ; in such places they are 

 obtained by dredging, and become considerable articles of 

 commerce. Even the shells, when calcined, are useful as 

 absorbents, and, in common with others, they prove ex- 

 cellent manure. 



Beds are formed artificially ; and those near Colchester 

 have long been celebrated ; there are also others near the 

 mouth of the Thames, which are held in great repute. 

 These beds are made by removing the spawn, which is 

 found adhering to stone or wood or to old oyster-shells, 

 and by throwing it into salt-water creeks, where the young, 

 when hatched, grow rapidly, and in two or three years 

 attain their full size. 



In the neighbourhood of Colchester, however, a different 

 method is adopted. The fishermen go out with their wives 



