Edible Mollusca of the Oregon Coast 199 
the species spawns on the Oregon coast, under the above condi- 
tions, in the late summer. (Figure VI, 10, 11, 12). 
Field’ is of the opinion that the spawning period of Mytilus 
edulis on the northern Atlantic coast is determined largely by 
conditions of weather, specimens inhabiting protected bays spawn- 
ing much earlier than those more exposed to the colder waters. 
to. Mytilus californicus Conrad. 
Examinations of this species have not been made with suff- 
cient regularity throughout the year to determine the spawning 
season on the Oregon coast. 
1cEE, TOMS PER SET UATTOIN. E 
The western oyster, Ostrea lurida Carpenter, has become an 
important fisheries product of the state of Washington but is 
somewhat neglected on the Oregon coast. Along the Oregon 
shores there are no great water areas comparable to the lower 
Puget Sound, Gray’s Harbor and Willapa Bay in Washington 
which furnish very suitable environments for oyster farming. 
The general belief that localities on the Oregon coast favorable 
to the propagation of oysters are very limited has contributed to 
the lack of development of this phase of the fisheries industry. 
For many years the Yaquina River has been the only source 
within the state supplying marketable oysters and the annual yield 
from these beds is very small. A report of the U. S. Bureau of 
Fisheries® places the total market value of oysters from the 
Yaquina River for the year 1915 at $725.00. Statistics for more 
recent years, if they were available, would doubtless show a 
material increase in the output and steps have been taken by the 
State Fish and Game Commission looking toward further improve- 
ments of conditions in the Yaquina River beneficial to the oyster 
industry. 
The beds are located near the town of Oysterville (Figure 2) 
and lie, for the most part, in the channel of the river. Much 
eroded sediment is carried down the river resulting in the neces- 
sity of frequent tonging of the beds to prevent the oysters from 
* See footnote page 16. 
*See footnote page 4. 
[2311 
