246 On the Geographical Distribution and Uses of the 



and sixpence to foui' shillings and sixpence, or even five 

 shillings. Eight or ten years ago the price was much less ; 

 but an individual having taken the ground off Newhaven for 

 a high rent, — which he is said never to have paid, — so cleared 

 the beds that they have since been comparatively rare.* 



Natural oyster-beds, of small extent, occur at some dis- 

 tance from land in several places around the Isle of Man. 

 The principal is that off Lascey ; but, though the oysters are 

 fine and well flavoured, their abundance is not sufficient to 

 mduce a regular fishei'y. 



* Note on the Oyster-Fisheries luhich supply the Edinburgh Market. By Mr 

 George D. Moffat. — Twenty-five boats, working for four months, viz., Septem- 

 ber, October, March, and April, say sixty-four days (four days por week), 

 dredge at an average 480 oysters per boat per day. ImU, 



25 X 64 X 480 = . . . • 708,000 



Eight boats, working for four months, viz., November, Decem- 

 ber, January, and February, say sixty-four days (four days per 

 week) dredge at an average 480 oysters per day per boat. Inde, 



8 X 64 X 480 = . . . 245,760 



Number of oysters dredged at an average in the season at 



Newhaven, ...... 1,013,760 



Fisherrow, Prestonpans, and Cockenzie, may be taken in, all at the same 

 ratio. Therefore, doubling the above, makes 2,027,520 oysters, which may be 

 calculated to be dredged in the Forth in the season ; only three-fourth parts of 

 which, however, it is believed are sent to Edinburgh, being 1,520,640. 



Prom the foregoing average, the quantity dredged per day may be stated as 



follows : — 



Boats. Oysters. 



Principal season, four months, 25 x 480 = . . 12,000 



Secondary season, four months, 8 x 480 = . . 3,840 



Per day, for Newhaven, 15,840 



The same number for Fisherrow, Prestonpans, and Cockenzie, makes 31,680, 

 three-fourth parts of which, as before mentioned, come to Edinburgh, being 

 23,760. 



With regard to the consumption in Edinburgh, it will be apparent, that out 

 of the season of eight months, only 128 days are stated, these being the men's 

 working days. But the days of the consumption of these molluscs in town, 

 are (excluding Sundays), out of eight months, 207 days. Inde, as before, 



1,5J0,640 -^ 207 = 7346 oysters, being the average daily consumed in 

 Edinburgh during the season, from the beginning of September till the end of 

 April. 



