338 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 



1885 r — Ryder, John A. The oj ster problem actually solved. <Foie8t aud Stream, 



New York, October 22, 1885, vol. xxv, pp. 249-250. 

 1885 s — Ryder, John A. Resting position of oysters. <]Natiue, Loudon, November 



26, 1885, vol. xxxni, pp. 80-81. 



Opposes the theory advanced by T. J. Cuiminghain that oystiTa rest on the convex 

 side. See 1885(7. 



1885 1 — Ryder, John A. New system of oyster cultiire. <^Scienfe, New York, 

 November 27, 1885, vol. vi, pp. 465-467. 



The principles of the new system .are as follows : 



(1) Oyster embryos diffuse themselves tliroughoiit the three dimensions of a body of 

 water, and will aiiix tliemselves to collecting surfaces similarly distributed, up to and even 

 above low-water level. 



(2) The floating fry will adhere to sniooth surfaces as well as rough ones. 



(3) Tlie surfaces upon whick spatting occurs must be kept as free as possible from sedi- 

 ment and organic growths, in order that the very small mollusks may not be smothered 

 and killed during the most critical ])eriod of their lives. 



(4) Artiiicial fertilization of tlie egg of the oyster is feasible, and will become an impor- 

 tant ad,juuct to successful .spat-culture. 



(5) The water charged with embryo oysters may be passed through a steam pump 

 without injury. 



(6) Oyster fry usually adheres most freely to the under surface of shells or other collec- 

 tors, because the lower side is cleanest, and most favorable to the survival of the animals. 



(7) The spat of the oyster will grow and tlirive with comparatively little light. 



(8) The specific gravity of the water may range from 1.003 to 1.0235. 



(9) The most favorable temperatures of the water for spatting seem to be from 68° to 

 about 80° F. . 



(10) Spatting will occur just as freely in ponds or tanks with a free circulation as in 

 open water. 



1885 u — Stuart- Wortlej'-. The resting position of oysters. <^Nature, London, 

 October 29, 1885, vol. xxxii, p. 625. 



In this writer's experiments "the young oysters born in tanks rested on the flatter 

 shell when tliey obtained a fliit surface, such as a tile, to adhere to; but when so arranged 

 that tliey had irregular surfaces to deal with, such as litthj bundles of twigs, some adhered 

 one way and some another. But where young oysters, nearlj' two years old, were moved 

 from their original supports, and were compelled to find new ones, they selected the flat 

 shell to rest upon in every instiince, except where they were jilaced on sand, in which case 

 they rested on the convex shell, in order apparently to avoid clogging the mouth of the 

 shell with sand." See 1885 jr. 



1885 V— Turner, "W. Resting position of oysters. <^Nature, Loudon, November 

 12, 1885, vol.xxxiii, p. 30. 



1885 Mv — Verrill, A. E. How long will oysters live out of water. ^Bulletin U. S. 

 Fish Commission, 1885. Washington, 1885, vol. v, pp. 161-162. 



In the instance described the oysters lived ten weeks under very unfavorable circum- 

 stances. 



1885 X — "Winslovy, Francis. The North Carolina oyster industry. <^Fore8t and 

 StreaiM, New York, May 7 and 14, 1885, vol. xxiv, pp. 292, 293, and 332. 



A pai)er read at the Fishermen's Convention, Kaloigh, October 10, 1S84. Cit-es instances 

 of the depletion of oyster beds in all parts of the world, reviews the development of the 

 oyster, and outlines the practical application of the information to the water areas of North 

 Carolina. 



1885 y — "Wood, W. M. Report of operations at St. Jerome station, in laying out 

 oyster ponds, by the steamer Finh IlawJc, in 1883. <^Report U. S. Fish 

 Commission, 1883. Washingtou, 1885, vol. xi, pp. 1153-1156. 



Cont.ains a brief table showing the results of dredging on oyster beds by the steamer 

 Fiah Ilawk in various localities in Maryland from November 15 to 24, 1883. 



1885 z Ailonymous. Oyster commission of Now York. <[Forest aud Stream, New 

 York, February 26, 1885, vol. xxiv, p. 91. 

 Koviews the first report of the New York oyster commissioner. See 1885 b. 



