764 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 
varieties of crustaceans, worms, and polyps, which prey upon these ani- 
mated organic corpuscles, so easy to capture and so attractive as food. 
And, finally, it is especially necessary that no blundering or greedy hand 
shall come with rake or 
dredge to seek for a few 
oysters of ediblesizeand 
by so doing tear to pieces 
and overturn the objects | 
upon which the young 
are attached, and thus 
killor bury inthe mud all 
the young generations 
to which the few old 
ones have given birth. 
If the young oyster can 
escape its many enemies 
and causes of destruc- 
tion it will in about six 
months acquire a diam- 
eter of 8 to 10 millime- 
ters, a very rapid in- 
crease when one takes 
into account its size at 
the time of swarming, 
about one-fifth of a mil- 
limeter. At one year of 
age the oyster is from 
4 to 5 centimeters in di- 
ameter, and in about 
three years it dttains 
marketable size—from 
8 to 10 centimeters— 
when it can be gath- 
Fic. 4. Oysters of different ages (natural size).—A, oysters from 
12 to 14 months old. B, oysters from 5 to 6 months old. C, oysters es 
from 3 to 4 months old. D, oysters from 1 to 2 months old. KE, oys- ered and sold for con 
ters from 15 to 20 days old. sumption. 
Figure 4 represents a number of oysters of various ages attached to 
the same object. 
But like nearly all animals destined for man’s use, the oyster is sus- 
ceptible of great improvement by special cultivation, which gives it a 
flavor and appearance very different from those of oysters freshly taken 
from the great common reservoir—the ocean. 
Upon our entire coast, especially where oysters are taken, it is well 
known that a prolonged sojourn in a fattening pond, or park, is neces- 
sary in order that they may acquire those qualities which place them 
in favor with consumers. 
Under the generic name of parks are designated reservoirs containing 
