46 OYSTER BOTTOMS IN VICINITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLA. 
DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF SILVA Bar. 
Oysters caught per Estimated quantity 
square yard. oysters per acre. 
Date of Papin Area i f eee 5 ee Character of 
exami- 0 cov- = |————_ — 
nation. | water. | ered. SMEG oyster growth. 
Spat.| Culls.} Counts. yard. Seed. Mar- Total. 
1915 Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. oe. | Bush. 
11782). |PAprE 7 6.5 12 0| 85 8.0 5 91 243 334 | Dense. 
UI79s 2 |Se2d0r=-~- 7.0 2.04 0 0 9.3 1 0 283 283 Do. 
1206...) Apr. 8 5.5 2.38 0; 2.3 14.1 3 25 429 454 Do. 
1107...| Apr. 6 6.5 2.12} 0.9} 4.2 5.7 2 60 138 198 | Scattering. 
Ose |Eesdor ce. 6.0 2.21 0 9 2.3 0 12 56 68 | Very scattering., 
1108. . do. 7.0 2. 04 0} 1.0 2.4 2 14 58 72 Do. 
27. FISH HAWK BAR. 
It very seldom happens that an oyster reef of any considerable 
extent remains unknown to the tongers and dealers in a region that 
is extensively fished. Such, however, was the case with this bar, 
which was found untouched in its natural condition. It has, appar- 
ently, developed on a favorable bottom since the survey made by the 
Bureau in 1895-96, as it was not mentioned or recorded on the chart 
of that report. On account of its good size and the excellent quality 
of the product, the bar is named in honor of the U. S. Fisheries 
steamer Fish Hawk, which was detailed for the survey of these 
waters and has long been associated with oyster investigations. 
The bar, ovate in outline, is located in the extreme western limits 
of Apalachicola Bay, about 1 mile south of St. Vincent Point and 2 
miles north-northeast of West Pass. It measures about five-eighths 
by one-fourth mile and has an approximate area of 90 acres. The 
depth at mean low water is 2 to 5 feet, and the elevation on the east 
and south borders is about 1 foot. The bottom is firm and composed 
of sand, mud, and scrap shells, and supports about 30 ‘per cent each 
of dense and scattering growths, 14 per cent very scattering, and 23° 
per cent depleted bottoms. 
Though of small size, the oysters are of good shape and occur as 
singles or in clusters of two or three. At the time of the investigation 
they were fat, of good flavor, salty, and in prime condition. It 
appears that they foala serve admirably for shell or barrel stock. 
Disregarding the nearness to West Pass and the rather high salinity 
of the waters, no detrimental conditions other than three medium- 
sized drills and many very small barnacles were observed. 
The character of the oyster growth, area, and details of examina- 
tion of Fish Hawk Bar are given in the following tables: 
