HISTORY OF THE OYSTER. 21 



quiescent. I placed some more of the contents of tlie 

 ovary under the microscope ; but it was far less hvely 

 than the first portion observed, probably in conse- 

 quence of exposure to the air. I have only observed 

 oysters precisely in this state five or six times, as it is 

 scarcely possible out of a large number, even if ob- 

 tained from the same locality, to find two in similar 

 stages. T did not either observe the rounded bodies 

 with radiating fines in those last mentioned. 



" July 7. — Examined a large number of oysters in 

 a fishmonger's shop in London ; they were said to 

 come from Jersey, and had all spawned, the ovaries 

 being flat and flabby. Obtained a small quantity of 

 whitish liquid from the ovary. The ova were very 

 minute, but some in motion • probably more would 

 have been so, but the oysters had evidently been taken 

 some time, and were exposed in a basket to the light 

 in a shop window. These oysters had all the appear- 

 ance of being what are technically termed sea-oysters, 

 or such as had not been moved, the shell being covered 

 with weed, stones, and other rubbish. 



" July 9th. — Examined a large number of oysters 

 at another fishmonger's shop, from Jersey, some of 

 which had spawned ; these oysters appeared to have 

 been moved, as they were much cleaner than the last : 

 this may be explained by the Jerseymen taking oysters 

 at the latter end of the season, laying them down in 

 shore, and sending them to the London market during 



