20 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 



market oysters are of medium size, most of them being bstween 3 and 

 4 inches long with a few of greater length. The young growth is 

 prolific. The areas of scattering growth are two, lying respectively 

 to the east and west of the dense growth in slightly deeper water. 

 In these areas the oysters are generally in clusters, lymg on a hard 

 bottom. The young growth is slightly more abundant than on the 

 denser portions of the bed. 



The following table expresses the details of the several examinations 

 made on the bed: 



Details of Examination of Dutch Gully. 



WEST SIDE OF DUTCH ISLAND. 



Dutch Island is a small shell bank called Gull Island on the Coast 

 Survey charts. The oyster bed designated by the name used above 

 extends from the western edge of the island to barren bottom, between 

 Dutch Guily and Peter Billy's Gully. 



The follo^ving table exhibits in summary the data relating to this 



bed: 



Oyster Growth on West Side of Dutch Island. 



Close to Dutch Island there is an area of hard shelly bottom with 

 a growth of densely clustered UTCgular-shaped small oysters, prac- 

 tically devoid of market stock. Over most of this area the water is 

 very shallow, reaching a maximum of 2 feet. To the westward of 

 this is an area of dense growth, most of which lies in water from 2 to 

 4 feet deep, with a maximum of about 5 feet at its western edge. On 

 this part of the bed there are few oysters over 4 inches long, most of 



