THE EDIBLE OYSTER. 569 



away the cultch, and otherwise punishable to take 

 any Oyster, between whose shells, when closed, a 

 shilling will rattle. The reason of the heavy penalty 

 on destroying the cultch is that, when this is taken 

 away, the ouse will increase, and muscles and cockles 

 will breed on the bed and destroy the Oysters, from 

 gradually occupying all the places on which the 

 spawn should be cast. There is likewise some pe- 

 nalty for not treading on, and killing, or throwing 

 on shore any Star-fish (Asterias of Linnaeus) that 

 happen to be seen. These, when collected in any 

 numbers, are very destructive to the Oyster-beds, 

 inserting their rays, as the shells lie open, and de- 

 vouring the animals within. 



The prickly Star creeps on with full deceit, 

 To force the Oyster from his close retreat. 

 When gaping lids their widened void display, 

 The watchful Star thrusts in a pointed ray, 

 Of all its treasures spoils the rifled case, 

 And empty shells the sandy hillocks grace *. 



Oysters are not reckoned proper for the table till 

 they are about a year and half old ; so that the 

 brood of one spring are not to be taken for sale till 

 at least the September twelve-months afterward. 

 When younger than these happen to be caught in 

 the dredge, they are always thrown into the sea 

 again. The fishermen know the age of Ovsters by 

 the broader distances or interstices among the rounds 

 or rings of the convex shell. 



* Jones's Oppian. The ancients seem to have been ignorant that 

 Oysters are usually found adherent, and to rocks. 

 I 



