62 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



beneath the surface of the mud indicates the submergence of beds 

 formerly existing there. In the eastern branch there are a few shells 

 lying on the surface of the mud, and in the lagoon at its southern end 

 there are raccoon oysters along the banks and a few clusters in the 

 channel in about 5 feet of water. 



In the bay the depth is from 2 to 3 feet, the bottom being composed 

 of soft mud. The deusity in the eastern arm was 1.0107 and in the 

 western 1.0094. 



Cranetoivn Bay. — This bay, which lies between West Karako Bay 

 and Southwest Pass, has an area of 2.7 square miles and a depth of 

 between 3 to feet, except near the mouth of Elephant Pass, a 

 broad bayou having a maximum depth of 30 feet, by which it com- 

 municates with Chandeleur Sound. The bottom over most of the 

 northern and eastern parts of the bay consists of soft mud, except upon 

 and near the exposed crests of the reefs, but toward the middle of the 

 west shore there is a considerable area of hard mud and sand. Being 

 in such intimate connection with the outer waters via Deep Pass and 

 Elephant Pass, it is not surprising to find that the water here is denser 

 than on most of the other oyster-beds of St. Bernard Parish, ranging 

 from 1.0139 to 1.0163. The amount of oyster food, as measured by the 

 number of diatoms, is small. The currents are rather strong. 



In the northern part there are several dense beds of oysters, which 

 have their crests bare or awash at low water. Surrounding these, as 

 well as on the west side, there is a scattering growth of oysters in 

 clusters. In general character these beds resemble those of East 

 Karako Bay, the oysters being inferior both in shape and flavor. Near 

 the crests of the reefs there is a considerable quantity of young oysters 

 in small clusters attached to dead clam and oyster shells. 



On the northeast shore, in the small bay between Deep Pass and 

 Elephant Pass, there is a bed of scattering oysters in small clusters. 

 These are of fair size and fatness, and in general somewhat superior to 

 the other oysters in the vicinity. A scattering growth of rather large 

 oysters and many dead shells are found in the mouth of the bayou 

 opening into the southwestern part of the bay. These are the fattest 

 and best oysters in the vicinity. 



Kerchimbo Bay lies west of Cranetown Bay, with which it communi- 

 cates by the bayou just mentioned. It opens southward into South- 

 west Pass, westward by an artificial cut into East Karako Bay, and 

 northward into the same bay by a bayou containing a few good-sized 

 oysters and many dead shells. The depth of water is about 3£ feet, 

 excepting near its upper end, where there are barely 2i feet in the 

 channel. It contains several old reefs composed of dead shells and a 

 scattering growth of rather poor oysters of medium size. According 

 to the testimony of the oystermen there are good oysters scattered all 

 over Kerchimbo Bay, but the reconnaissance did not discover them. 



Southwest Pass. — This is a long, narrow body of water stretching 

 from Cranetown and Kerchimbo bays on the northeast to the entrance 



