HISTORY OF THE OYSTER. 



CHAPTER I. 



HISTOEY AND ANTIQUITY OF THE OYSTER AS 

 AN ARTICLE OF FOOD. 



That the Oyster has been used by man, not only as 

 an article of necessary food, but as one of luxury, from 

 great antiquity, appears by the following quotations. 

 Pliny, who died in the year 29, says of oysters : — 

 " Nee potest videri satis dictum esse de his, cum 

 palmas mensarum divitum attribuantur illis." 



Juvenal would appear to have had a delicate palate, 

 and to have been as experienced in the taste of oysters 

 as the fishmongers of the present day : — 



" Circjeis nata forent, an 



Lucrinuni ad saxum, Rutupiuove edita fuudo 

 Ostrea, eallebat primo deprendere morsu." 



The above quotation shows that the British oyster, 

 even at the early period when Juvenal wrote, about 



B 



