92 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



On the natural reefs, where the oysters grow in clusters, the denseness 

 of the growth and the sharp edges of the shells make it difficult for the 

 fish to wreak much destruction, although the smaller clusters of young 

 oysters are frequently eaten, being crushed and swallowed, shell and 

 soft parts alike. The lips of drumfish caught on and near the oyster- 

 beds are lacerated from contact with the knife like edges of the young 

 oysters. The oystermen working on the natural reefs often suffer con- 

 siderable loss by having eaten the culled and cleaned oysters which are 

 temporarily bedded, and frequent cases are reported of the loss of 30 

 or 40 barrels of bedded oysters within a single day. To prevent these 

 inroads on the bedding-grounds the oystermen encircle them with old 

 seines supported on pickets, or lines to which rags are attached are 

 used to frighten the fish away, and in some places substantial stockades 

 are constructed. 



The drumfish is troublesome on nearly all of the planting-grounds 

 in the State, but it appears to be especially so at Bayou Cook. The 

 damage done to planted beds is usually wrought very soon after the 

 separated and culled oysters are laid down. After several days have 

 elapsed the oysters seem to be immune, probably either because they 

 have sunk slightly in the mud on which they are planted or because 

 they become more or less covered with sediment, which makes them 

 less conspicuous. If the drumfish can be kept off for a week or two 

 there appears to be but little danger of an attack thereafter, but if for 

 any reason the oysters are rebedded the same difficulty is encountered 

 as before. 



To prevent depredations on the beds fences and stockades are erected, 

 differing in dimensions only from the more substantial structures on 

 the bedding-grounds. The drumfish operates in water of all densities, 

 often occurring in that which is almost fresh and where the conch 

 would never occur. It is most abundant and destructive during the 

 months of September and October, but does some damage during every 

 season except winter. 



Stone-cracker. — The oystermen of Port Eads complain of the depre- 

 dations of a large ray, known as the stone-cracker. Judging from the 

 description of its general appearance and the large size which it is said 

 to attain ("about 25 feet across") this appears to be the devil ray or 

 devil-fish, Mania birostris, which is not uncommon on the coast of 

 Louisiana. A planter at Port Eads states that he lost 300 barrels of 

 oysters in two weeks through the depredations of this fish, and that he 

 was at first unaware of the agent which caused this destruction, but 

 finally saw 5 or 6 of them in the act. This species is not reported as an 

 oyster enemy at any other place on the coast of Louisiana. 



Stone-crab. — The stone-crab, Menippe mercenaria, is said to some- 

 times kill a good many oysters, especially the young ones under 3 inches 

 long, breaking off the edges of the shells and extracting the contents. 

 This enemy was reported from Quarantine Bay, Bayou Cook, and 

 Bayou Coquette, and their connected waters. As a rule, it does not 



