242 SHRIMP AND PRAWN NETS. 



and loosen the ground preparatory to using the smaller dredges, 

 which would pass over a bank of this sort with little or no im- 

 pression. The cutter is the favourite rig of the Oyster- dredger, 

 the swing of the main boom giving great power and steadiness 

 of towage. One of these vessels will tow three of these dredges 

 at once, which on being overhauled contain Oysters, Scallops, 

 empty shells, Hermit Crabs, corals, and many curious speci- 

 mens of marine zoology. The dredges are got on board by aid 

 of a winch, and a buoy is kept ready for each dredge, which 

 can be slipped if needful in case of hooking the bottom. A 

 large number of these vessels belong to Colchester, Whitstable, 

 Burnham River, Portsmouth, Jersey, &c., and on any fresh 

 bank or bed being discovered flock to it from their respective 

 ports. Large numbers of Oysters have of late years been 

 dredged in mid-channel or between Beachy Head and Fecamp, 

 and to the westward, and there can be little doubt that other 

 banks are yet to be found by persevering search. 



There is too little restriction placed on Oyster-dredging, and 

 such a number of boats flock to any newly-discovered bed that 

 it very soon becomes exhausted ; whereas, if a fair number of 

 boats only were permitted to work, the ground would be kept 

 clear for the fish to deposit its spat, and a regular supply would 

 be afforded. For many years, however, we have been ' killing 

 the geese which laid the golden eggs,' and it is no wonder 

 Oysters are becoming yearly more scarce and dear. Ostrea- 

 culture, as far as hatching fresh brood is concerned, we have 

 been far from fortunate in. The most promising result recorded 

 is in Hampshire, where, at Hayling Island, things look remark- 

 ably well, large numbers of young Oysters having been hatched. 

 Very praiseworthy efforts have been made in Guernsey, but 

 they are a dead failure. It is averred by a native seaman that 

 the water is too clear round this island, and very different from 

 that on the French coast, where ostreaculture is a success for 

 instance, at St. Brieux a considerable deposit is always in pro- 

 gress ; but here little or nothing, on account of the strength of 

 the tide. This may be worthy of some attention. 



Shrimp and Prawn Nets. The Pool Net (fig. 74) is the 

 smallest of the three, and is stitched on to an iron, grooved to 



