TEE ENEMIES OF THE OYSTER. 255 



ing only the nourishment brought it by the waves, and giv- 

 ing scarcely any sign of life, except the opening and shut- 

 ting of its valves. 



The oyster, particularly when eaten raw, is easy of diges- 

 tion, and very nutritous. Its best qualities become impaired, 

 however, by cooking, and, though very piquant culinary 

 preparations are made from it, such as sauces, ragouts, etc., 

 these tempting effects are produced by the sacrifice of the 

 best quality of the fish, and should be carefully shunned by 

 the invalid. 



The enemies of the oyster are many. The sea-crab seats 

 itself upon the shell, and drills a little hole in his back, and 

 so kills him. On the sea-shore bushels of shells are found 

 quite riddled with holes by this crab. The star-fish was 

 known in ancient times to prey upon the oyster. Oppian 

 says: 



' The prickly star-fisli creeps on with fell deceit. 

 To force the oyster from his close retreat. 

 When gaping lids their widen'd void display. 

 The watchful star thrusts in a pointed ray 

 Of all its treasures spoils the rifled case, 

 And empty shells the sandy hillocks grace. 



The drum-fish — in weight about thirty pounds, and about 

 two feet long — swallows oyster and shell; sometimes two or 

 three pounds of shells are found in the stomach of this fish. 

 The star-fishes hug the oyster, and wrap their five rays about 

 him, but the embrace is one of death to the poor victim. 



It is not surprising that the inhabitants of the ocean 

 should feed partly on shell fish ; but it is curious to find 

 animals strictly terrestrial preying upon them. Monkeys- 

 are said to descend to the sea to devour what shell-fish they 

 may find on the shore. The ourang-outangs are said to feed 

 in particular on a large species of oyster ; and, fearful of 

 inserting their paws between the open valves lest the 

 animal should close and crush them, they first place a toler- 

 ably large stone in the shell, and then drag out their victim 



