OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 



35 



HALF-MOON PATCHES. 



This name, which is not used by the oystermen, serves to desig- 

 nate a number of small areas of oyster growth lying west of the lower 

 end of Cedar Point. Most of these patches are not more than an 

 acre or two in extent and bear scattering growth or are depleted. 

 They generally lie on a soft muddy bottom, but there is a hard reef 

 on which the water shoals to a minimum of H feet about 500 or 600 

 yards west of the extreme end of Cedar Point. 



The following tables exhibit the area and condition of these patches. 



Oyster Growth on Half-Moon Patches. 



Details op Examination op Half-Moon Patches. 



HERON BAY, EAST SIDE. 



On the east side of Heron Bay there is an area of oyster growth 

 stretching along shore for nearly a mile south of the forks of the bay. 

 It consists principally of depleted bottom in which there are shells 

 more or less buried in the mud, with an occasional cluster of oysters. 

 The area and character of the growth on the several parts of this bed 

 are as follows: 



Oyster Growth in Heron Bay, East Side. 



