_ 17 — . 



Oyster, where tliey are uiiitured to -jjerfeot Cijsters of microsco- 

 pic size, hut ecocJi famished ivifh a delicate hivaloe shell. The 

 mass of embryos, which, as ova, had a white color, has, by the 

 encreasing developement of each ovum gradually assumed a 

 darker-tint, and is uow almost black ; but when the mass is 

 broken up into individuals, each shell appears like pearl. The 

 " Spat " is now extruded from the parent's shell, aud, being 

 furnished with poiuerfitl cilia, it swims away in search of a sui- 

 table object to which it may attach itself. It is uncertain how 

 long (or rather for how short a time) the spat should continue 

 in a free state. 



" I have had it so for upwards of three weeks, but I believe 

 that naturally it would, in the sea attach itself to the first sui- 

 table object met with, and that inability to attach itself speedi- 

 ly is ONE cause why so small a proportion of the spat groivs 

 to maturity. 



" It is estimated that each brood oyster produces a millioii 

 and a half of young in one season. 



" Having become attached to a shell or stone, the young 

 spat grows rapidly. In a few days it is visible to the naked 

 eye about the sixth of a pin's head. In about a month it has 

 grown to the size of a pea and by the end of the first season 

 may be found as large as a tliree penny piece. 



*' It is uow called " Brood " aud may be removed from one 

 ground to another, but it is safer (and would be especially so 

 in the case of exportation to the Mauritius) to wait till the 

 close of the second season before removing the brood. 



" The Oyster is not considered marketable until the begin- 

 ning of tlie fourth season. 



" Oysters cannot be fed artificially in the sea. Their natu- 

 ral food appears to be the miuute orgauisma with which sea 



