44 



REPORT ON OYSTER CULTURE 



loss by damage to the shell or fish in breaking them off is least 

 upon fascines, as the twigs are easily broken up. It is greater on 

 hurdles, greater still on tiles, and greatest of all on stones. The 

 young oyster, though somewhat malformed at times on twigs, 

 soon regains its shape when detached without damage. Engrav- 

 ings of oysters upon a twig and a stake are shown in figures 29, 

 30, 31. The latter represents oysters at various stages of their 

 existence. E showing the spat at ten days, D at one month, C 

 three months, B six months, and A at one year. 



Fig. 30. 



A, 1 year; B, 6 months; C, 3 months; D, 1 month; E, 10 or 14 days. 



Fig. 31. 



