30 HISTORY OF THE OYSTER. 



CHAPTER VI. 



LIST, AND ACCOUNT, OF THE PEINCIPAL 

 OYSTER BEDS. 



ON the shores of England the principal nurseries of 

 oysters, not only for the English markets, but also 

 for the foreign, are those on the coast of Essex and 

 the estuaries adjoining : those taken there are called 

 ' Natives/ Mr. Sweeting claims the name as pecu- 

 liarly applicable to his fishery, as within his memory 

 no strange oysters have ever been introduced. Good 

 oysters are also found at Whitstable, Colchester, 

 Rochester, Milton, Eaversham, Queenborough, Mai- 

 den, Bricklesea, Strood, and probably some other 

 places. Those of Whitstable differ from those of 

 the other localities, the water being deeper : it is 

 stated that they are earlier in season. The western 

 coast of England is not remarkable for any great 

 oyster-fishery, that I am aware of. 



The Jersey beds also supply immense numbers of 

 oysters to the English market, and also those of 

 Guernsey and Sark. The beds, as known at the 

 time, are marked in the Government chart attached 

 to the Convention with France ; but there have been 



