OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 



19 



are many buried shells. The majority of the oysters on this part of 

 the bed are large, over 4 mches in length, while elsewhere, particu- 

 larly on the dense growth, there are comparatively few such oysters, 

 and most of the smaller ones, both market oysters and culls, are in 

 large closely compacted clusters. 



The data gathered by the several examinations on this bed are as 

 follows : 



Details of Examination of Pass des Huitres Flats. 



DUTCH GULLY. 



Dutch Gully bed lies in and about an area of slightly deeper water 

 between Pass des Huitres Flats on the north and Big Gully and 

 Dutch Island beds on the south. The depth of the water ranges 

 from about 6 inches to 3 or 4 feet, the latter depth lying on the area 

 of scattering growth. Although this bed, like the others in the 

 vicinity, is without well defined boundaries, it is assumed in this 

 report to have approximately the following area, density of growth, 

 and oyster content: 



Oyster Growth on Dutch Gully Bed. 



The dense growth, which lies principally in a depth of less than 2^ 

 feet, occupies the central part of the bed. The clusters generally 

 are small with a considerable proportion of single oysters. The 



9275°— 13 27 



