274 O ur Food Mollusks 



have produced offspring, and these were captured on col- 

 lectors, this second generation might be planted in an 

 isolated locality. If few in number, the water should be 

 of the same temperature as before. If numerous, they 

 might be placed in slightly colder water. It might be 

 assumed, from analogous cases observed in other organ- 

 sims, that some of the individuals of this second gen- 

 eration would exhibit a still greater power to breed in a 

 low temperature than that possessed by their parents. 

 In water of the same temperature as that in the first ex- 

 periment, also, the average fertility would have become 

 greater. 



In the same manner, the third generation, if numerous 

 in individuals, could be planted in still colder water. Per- 

 haps only a few of these could breed, but if any were able 

 to do so, the offspring again would exhibit the power to 

 withstand the increasing cold, and this might be carried 

 on until all surviving individuals would be able to propa- 

 gate anywhere in the cold Pacific coast waters. 



Whether such an experiment would succeed, cannot be 

 predicted. Much would depend on the judgment of the 

 experimenter and on the facilities at his command. But 

 on account of the superiority of the eastern oyster as a 

 food mollusk, it may be an experiment worth a trial. 



The production of native and Atlantic oysters in Wil- 

 lapa Bay and Puget Sound is increasing rapidly. The 

 red-blooded generation of men that has made this won- 

 derful region its home, is losing no opportunity to 

 develop its natural resources. It is said that the annual 

 profits on some oyster farms have reached a thousand 

 dollars an acre. Such achievements have naturally at- 

 tracted the attention of investors. Numerous stock com- 

 panies have been formed, and have purchased barren 



