684 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 
necessary, for not only the ignorant in natural science, but men also 
who teach and write upon biological subjects have, even in our day, 
expected the most impossible results from the artificial breeding of 
oysters. The investigator has seldom to seek for new facts and ideas 
alone; generally, in the first place, he must be able to recognize and 
expunge from the system any errors which may exist in the knowledge 
previously acquired, and in their places establish those facts and ideas 
which he has found to be true. And while I am well aware that the 
little book hereby presented to the world contains but a very modest 
share of what we wish to know with certainty concerning oyster biol- 
ogy and oyster culture; still I have allowed it to appear because, incom- 
plete as it is, it will give welcome information to many biologists and 
oyster-breeders, and will serve as a safe basis for the operations of those 
governments which have within the limits of their territories natural 
oyster-banks which they desire to have managed in the best interests of 
the general public. Those, of course, who delude themselves with the 
belief that, by means of artificial cultivation, oysters can be bred in great 
quantities wherever there may be sea-water, will scarcely agree with my 
book, and it is indeed quite certain that it will not convince them of 
their error. But the most dazzling error does not become transformed 
into truth, however long and firmly one may believe in it. 
KARL MOBIUS. 
KIEL, July 8, 1877. ® 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
1.—The géa-fats . .- 265 s-cisenticicie cena cisviondaes se ada st notaei ae ae efit ae eee 3 
2.—Oyster-banks and..oystering’. 20%. 3.52 yiosices = stee eee ea ee eee 2 
3.—The reproduction of the oyster ..-.2-1...6) 2/2 .2s2-b cee e RETR EL NYE eet 10 
4.—Why are oysters not found over all portions of the sea-flats..........----- 14 
5.—Artificial oyster-breeding In, Prances.cocsc ons o-ce nes ee ee eee eee 16 
6.—Attempts to introduce the French system of artificial oyster-breeding into 
Great Britain ..o<. 0.0.2 set nceeesee Seco ee ee ee Rome eee ce eee 20 
7.—Can the French system of artificial oyster-breeding be carried on in the 
waters of the German coast-; 22-2525 ceeseesnee aoe eee caesar eee 21 
8.—Can natural oyster-beds be enlarged, and can new beds be formed, especially 
aloneithe: German coast 22 2.s.c8 cctv nee eee eee oe ne ee eee 25 
oorowthand fecundity of the oysterscass seen ee sere ee se ee 31 
16.—An oyster-bed is a Biocénose or a social community ..-......-....-------- 39 
11.—Concerning the increase in the price of oysters and in the number of con- 
sumers, and the decrease in the number of oysters..........-.---------- 47 
12.—The chemical constituents and flavor of oysters ....-..-.--. Ree Nee 50 
i3.—The.qbjects and results of oyster-cnlturesesecs wees se see ee sees eee eee 56 
¢ 
