CHAP. VIII. 



OYSTER-DREDGING AT COCKENZIE. 



377 



The "pandore" oysters are principally obtained at the 

 village of Prestonpans and the neighbouring one of Cockenzie. 

 Dredging for oysters is a principal part of the occupation of 

 the Cockenzie fishermen. There are few lovers of this dainty 



OYSTER -DREDGING AT COCKENZIE. 



mollusc who have not heard of the "whiskered pandores." 

 The pandore oyster is so called because of being found in the 



inoperative from the fact that when improper oysters are brought 

 ashore, the fishermen at once declare that they are taken from other 

 scalps than those of the party challenging ; and, particularly, that they 

 have been taken from what they call neutral ground, which belongs to 

 the Government, and for that they pay no rent. It is proper to say 

 that the respectable portion of the Society of Free Fishermen profess 

 their readiness to aid in restoring the city scalps to a proper condition, 

 and in keeping them right hereafter ; and they produce a letter from 

 their agents, Messrs. Gardiner, to that effect, along with a copy of a 

 minute of the societv." 



