Io EIGHTH REPORT OF THE SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
MAPPING. 
But little has been done in the way of mapping beyond the 
settlement of disputed lines between adjoining owners. Such 
disputes are continually arising, and they can be settled only 
after the most painstaking examination of titles and surveys. If 
the several town maps had been plotted in the manner contem- 
plated by the Commissioners, as in the nearly. completed map of 
the New Haven grounds, many, if not all such disputes, would be 
avoided and much time and labor saved to the Commissioners. 
And until such maps are made, showing the lots laid down in 
chronological order, a large portion of the time of the Commis- 
sioners must be devoted to the settlement of such disputes. The 
three principal causes of these disputes are: First, obscure desig- 
nations; second, inaccurate location on the water; and third, the 
destruction by natural decay or otherwise of the objects on shore, 
whereby the ranges for the lots are lost. Now it is obvious that 
the first cause can be met only by a careful scrutiny of the desig- 
nation in its chronological relation to the group in which it is 
found; the second cause can be met only by laying out upon the 
water, by careful surveying and buoying, the designation thus 
accurately determined; and the third cause can be met only by 
permanent indestructible signal structures, useful alike to the 
engineers for their surveys and to the cultivators for their ranges. 
The work of the Commissioners had been mainly in these three 
directions when the necessary appropriation was withheld. Thus 
interrupted, it can be resumed only when the Legislature by 
adequate appropriation shall so order. 
SHIPMENTS. 
The export of Connecticut oysters to foreign markets increases 
annually; but it is impossible to obtain any exact information upon 
the subject. Most of the stock is shipped through New York 
agents. Foreign shipments begin about the middle of March. 
The oysters are packed in barrels in the shell, or are sealed in 
cans. Culled oysters are in great demand abroad, and are con- 
sidered in England superior to all others. Many culled oysters 
are also shipped to Sweden and other European places. One 
Connecticut firm last year shipped ten thousand barrels of seed 
oysters to Liverpool and London for planting on English beds,— 
and they expect to ship a larger quantity the coming year. Ger- 
