Tlie Oyster, 83 



cleSj eacli of wliicli is an eggj and will by and by 

 become a perfect fisli; these increase in size very 

 rapidly^ and after floating about for a wliilc; sink to 

 the bottom,, and become attached to rock or some 

 other substance,, in wLich position, if not violently 

 detached or removed, they complete their growth and 

 live out the term of their natural life. Their food 

 minute animalcule©, and microscopic vegetation, on 

 the nature of which their flavour greatly depends. 



They have many enemies besides man; the 

 whelk, and the crab, the sea-star or *'*' five fingers,'^ 

 and the large drum-fish, which swallows them 

 almost by the bushel, shells and all ; these help to 

 thin the Oyster-beds, and make the dredger's 



labours less remunerative than they would other- 

 wise be. Here is a picture of one as he stands in 



