OYSTER BOTTOMS IN VICINITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLA. 65 
The following information is furnished respecting certain enemies 
which are common in other parts of the Gulf coast: 
Drills or conchs.—So few drills were found on the oyster beds that 
no damage whatever was noted, and they may be regarded as a 
negligible quantity in these waters. The few that were taken were 
found, for the most part, in the western extremity of Apalachicola 
Bay, in the vicinity of West Pass, where the salinity naturally attains 
a high degree for a part of the time at least. Under the description 
of the various beds, mention is made of the places and number of 
drills taken. It is commonly supposed by oystermen that the drill 
secretes an acid by which it perforates the oyster shells by solution, 
but in reality the holes are made mechanically by means of a rasplike 
tongue, which is protruded from the mouth. 
Mussels (Mytilus hamalus).—This species, which was found on the 
oyster bars, is distinct from the large edible sea mussel of the Atlantic 
coast and, also, the fresh-water mussel used for the manufacture of 
buttons and novelties. So far as is known, it has no present economic 
use, but doubtless it would make a good fertilizer. Although 
this mollusk is classed as an oyster enemy, it is not one in the sense 
of preying on this more valuable shellfish. . It is injurious in that it 
eats the same kind of food as the oyster, and, therefore, lessens the 
food supply; and its more prolific growth enables it to cover the oys- 
ter, which interferes with its development, and eventually, may stifle 
or starve it. 
Mussels were found in varying quantities on practically all of the 
oyster beds. They were found in rather larger numbers on the reefs 
in the vicinity of East Bay, where the salinity of the water is reduced 
by reason of the proximity of the large affluents, and, also, on the 
beds in the southeastern section of St. Vincent Sound. They were 
only fairly abundant on the eastern beds, and least so at the western 
ends of both Apalachicola Bay and St. Vincent Sound. 
Drumfish (Pogonias cromis).—The black drum was not observed 
during the survey, nor was it learned that it had ever caused de- 
struction of the oysters of this region. It is enumerated here in 
the list of enemies, because it may appear suddenly on any part of 
the coast and is reported to have destroyed oysters on the beds of 
Alabama. It destroys oysters by crushing them between the stout 
grinding teeth or bones with which its mouth is furnished. 
Minor enemies and pesis—Among the minor but objectionable 
enemies observed during the survey may be mentioned the following: 
Barnacles, although generally small, were plentiful on some beds. 
They roughen the shells and crowd the oyster, but do comparatively 
little harm. The little clam Martesia was found more particularly 
in the larger and older shells, which were weakened by the boring, but 
