5 1 



star-fish devours the five-finger species, though that is little 

 consolation for the oyster. When the oyster is ill or weak, 

 and unable to keep his shells closed, the crah secures a 

 meal without trouble, and is even believed to sometimes 

 craftily insert a stone to prop open the shells of the healthy 

 oyster while he rakes out its body. 



The dog-whelk possesses a file-like weapon with which 

 it bores a hole in the oyster shell, and inserts an instrument, 

 through which it sucks out the juiciest part of its prey. 



A long-continued hard frost is almost sure to destroy 

 a great many oysters, to avoid which, some years ago, an 

 Essex oyster grower placed a large number of oysters in 

 the Herne Bay swimming bath, in the hope of saving their 

 lives, though the result was not very satisfactory. 



Oyster 

 beehives. 



Mr. E. F. Wheeler, of Herne Bay, has 

 patented an ingenious arrangement made 

 of earthenware, of the size and appear - 



The Beehive Spat Collector. 



