362. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
Museum are many specimens from the Gulf of California so labeled. 
Compared with Ostrea virginica, itis of similar size and appearance, 
and to the superficial observer undistinguishable from it. It is found in 
the lagoons of the eastern shore of the Gulf from Mazatlan to the vicinity 
of the Rio Colorado, and is said to abound at a point opposite George 
Island, well up the gulf. It is found also on the western side of the 
eulf at Angeles Bay, opposite the southern end of Angel Guardia 
Island, and near Salinas Bay on Carmen Island. The oysters of both 
of these localities are said to be well flavored, and shipments from the 
latter have been made to San Francisco. 
Dr. Edward Palmer, of the Department of Agriculture, informs me 
that he first saw the natural oyster deposits of the Yaqui River lagoons 
twenty years ago, and that there was then more traffic in them than at 
the present time. He ascribes the origin of the large mounds of oyster 
shells so conspicuous there to the drying of oysters by Indians, for sale 
among the mines of Sonora and Sinaloa. These oysters are still gath- 
ered by Indians, and are used in the hotels of Guaymas the year round. 
They are usually stored in the bay awaiting the arrival of the steamers. 
Many are sent by rail to Hermosillo, and a few are shipped by steamer 
to La Paz. Considerable quantities are taken from a stream near 
Altata, at the mouth of the gulf, and sent to alee in the interior, 
‘over the Sinaloa and Durango Railway. 
T found a small oyster (Ostrea_palmula, variety jee abundant 
on the roots of the mangroves in Ganeencan Bay, on ‘the west side of 
the gulf. I obtained another species (Ostrea palmula) farther south at 
San Josef Island, but it was represented only by dry shells, our stay 
there being tog brief to permit any extended search for the original 
deposits. The large Ostrea iridescens was oceasionally brought up by 
the beain trawl of the Albatross in dredging ¢ along the western shores of_ 
the gulf. 
The Mexican Oyster Company.—This company was in existence in 
1865, 1869, and 1870. Oysters were brought from the natural beds of_ 
Altata and Acapulco, and sold readily in San Francisco at 25 cents 
apiece, Their arrival was announced by placards on steamer day. As 
many died on the voyage, the business was never profitable, and was 
finally ruined by the introduction of eastern oysters upon the comple- 
tion of the overland railway in 1870, -—"—"__ 
Australian oysters.—A sack of oysters was recently brought to San 
Francisco by a steward of one of the Australian steamers. These oys- 
ters were sold by M. B. Moraghan at his stand in the California market 
and were considered as good as eastern oysters. ©+—__ 
