132 The Commercial Products of the Sea. 



which may be found in Pennant's " British Zoology." 

 About 1776, the oysters of Colchester and Rochester were 

 the most famous ; and a great part of the inhabitants of the 

 latter place were concerned in or supported by this fishery, 

 which was conducted by a company of free dredgers, 

 established by prescription, but subject to the Corporation. 

 It is from September to April that oysters are in most 

 request, and during this interval it is computed there are 



FIG. 3. 



800,000,000 of oysters consumed in London alone, and 

 quite as many, if not more, in the provinces. We pay 

 between ^4,000,000 and 5,000,000 a year for oysters, and 

 there is no doubt double the quantity would find ready 

 consumption if they were obtainable at a reasonable price. 

 During the last ten years the price of " natives " has in- 

 creased from two guineas to ten guineas a bushel. 



