I'liolo from Dr. Hugli M. Smith 



STARFISH ATTACKING AN OYSTER 



"It is remarkable that a weak creature like the common starfish should be able to prey 

 on an animal so strongly fortified as an oyster. The starfish acts by attaching itself to the 

 lips of the oyster-shell and exerting a steady and long-sustained traction with each of its 

 numerous small suckers. After a time the fowerful adductor muscle of the oyster becomes 

 fatigued, the valves open, and the starfish inserts its stomach and devours the helpless oyster 

 at leisure" (see text, pages 260, 261). 



of Fisheries yielded marketable oysters 

 at the extraordinary rate of 1,500 to 

 2,000 bushels per acre in two years from 

 the time the cultch was deposited on bar- 

 ren bottom. The natural consequence 

 has been that all available oyster-grow- 

 ing land has been leased by the State, 

 and a great impetus has been given to 

 oyster culture. 



The oysters thus produced on l)ottoms 

 never before utilized are of high quality 

 and meet with ready sale in New Or- 

 leans, where the "raccoon" and other 

 oysters from the natural beds can hardly 

 be sold at one-fourth the price. 



In further pursuance of its paternal 

 policy of promoting the oyster industry, 



the Bureau of Fisheries has sought to 

 make known to fishermen. State officials, 

 and legislatures the methods and condi- 

 tions of oyster fishing and oyster culture 

 in all parts of the world. To this end 

 inquiries have been made in all foreign 

 countries having important oyster re- 

 sources. Si^ecial reports thereon have 

 been issued and distributed broadcast, 

 and, so far as its powers and facilities 

 have permitted, the government has ap- 

 plied the knowledge gained abroad and 

 at home to the particular requirements 

 of the individual States in pointing out 

 the way for the most successful utiliza- 

 tion of the oyster grounds. 



267 



