THE OYSTER TRIBE. 567 



indicates more recollection than one would have 

 been inclined to expect from an animal so low 

 in the order of nature as a Razor-fish. 



THE OYSTER TRIBE. 



THE Oysters are bivalve shell-fish, having the 

 valves generally unequal. The hinge is without 

 teeth, but furnished with a somewhat oval cavity, 

 and mostly with lateral transverse grooves. 



From a similarity in the structure of the hinge, 

 the Oysters and Scallops have been united into one 

 tribe. But they differ very essentially, both in their 

 habits, and in their external appearance. The 

 Oysters adhere to rocks, or, as in two or three spe- 

 cies, to roots of trees on the shore ; while the Scal- 

 lops are always detached, and usually lurk in the 

 sand. 



THE EDIBLE OYSTER*. 



These Oysters inhabit the European and Indian 

 seas, and are well known as a palatable and nutri- 

 tious food. Most of our coasts produce them in 

 great abundance, but the coasts chiefly celebrated 

 are those of Essex and Suffolk. Here they are 

 dredged up by means of a net, with an iron scraper 

 at the mouth, that is dragged by a rope from a boat, 



* Ostrea edulis. Linn, 



O o 4 



