OYSTER-BEDS OF LOUISIANA. 73 



(Bayou la Hache), and Muddy Bayou. There are a good many reefs, 

 but very few oysters, in Bay Jocko, which lies between Timbalier Bay, 

 Terrebonne Bay, and Lake Barre. No very definite information in 

 regard to this region was obtained. The northern part of Terrebonne 

 Bay was not visited, but the following general information concerning 

 it was derived from reliable sources. Oyster-reefs are scattered over 

 the northern two-thirds of the bay, both along the shore and out in the 

 middle, but there are not many as far south as Point-of-Marsh. The 

 water varies from 2 feet to 22 feet in depth over the oyster-beds, but 

 the latter depth is unusual. The water is said to be fresher than in 

 Timbalier Bay, a statement which seems probable in view of the dis- 

 charge of Bayou Terrebonne and Little Caillou Bayou into the bay, 

 and which is confirmed by the readings taken in corresponding parts 

 of the two bodies of water. In the western part of Timbalier Bay the 

 density was 1.0179, while at Point-of-Marsh, the corresponding part of 

 Terrebonne Bay, it was but 1.0128. 



It is stated that fifteen years ago there were no oysters above Bayou 

 Lagraisse, nor in some of the small bayous of Lake Barre, and their 

 presence there now is supposed to be owing to changes in the drainage 

 due to the cutting of timber along the bayous and the washing of the 

 islands. The topographical changes in the region between Timbalier 

 and Terrebonne bays are quite extensive and rapid, and islands were 

 observed there in all stages of destruction, some of them cut into 

 pieces, others barely showing above the water, and still others whose 

 former positions were marked merely by shoals or by dead brush project- 

 ing above the surface. It appears probable that these changes might 

 have produced considerable alteration in the hydrographic characters, 

 and thus have changed the adaptability of the waters for oysters. 



Some of the oysters from this bay were examined and found to be of 

 fair size and shape and good quality and condition. In general they 

 somewhat resemble those from Jack's Camp, in Timbalier Bay. 



The drumfish is the principal enemy of the oyster in Terrebonne Bay, 

 the waters being too fresh to be very suitable for the snail (Purpura). 

 Mussels are sometimes troublesome in the fresher waters. 



The testimony in regard to the relative abundance now and in the 

 past is contradictory, but it seems probable that while there may have 

 been an extension of the area over which the oyster is found, there 

 has been at the same time a diminution in numbers upon the beds which 

 have been worked. Young oysters for planting purposes are now taken 

 extensively from Terrebonne Bay to Bayou Cook and vicinity, and the 

 beds in Terrebonne Bay are being worked more extensively than for- 

 merly, owing to the partial depletion of the beds in Timbalier. In the 

 vicinity of Point-of-Marsh are some extinct oyster-reefs with a few dead 

 shells, sponges, and other forms commonly abounding in such places. 



In Pelican Lake, lying immediately west of Terrebonne Bay, there 

 are considerable quantities of raccoon oysters on the flats. These are 

 not fit for the markets, but could be utilized with profit in planting. 

 Some of the natural reefs here appear to be approaching exhaustion, 



