RKPOKT OF ('OMMlSftir)NP:R OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 121 



but five. The reasons fc^r this are not to bo defined from the brief examination 

 which it was possible for me to make. They may have become buried by shifting 

 of the bottom or by the deposit of silt, but from the condition of the shells found 

 I am inclined to think that neither explanation is adequate, and I suspect that 

 some, at least, of the transplanted oysters have found their way to market. I 

 understand that these oysters were bedded rather thickly, and if they and the dead 

 shells have not become buried they have certainly been carried off through some 

 agency. I have learned from the oystermen that at the end of the first year a 

 large proportion of those planted had survived and were on the beds, but after that 

 they became gradually fewer. It would appear, therefore, that they had with- 

 stood the vicissitudes of transportation with a fair degree of success. 



During the last two or three years several private beds of eastern oysters have 

 been established in different parts of Willapa Bay and they are reported to be 

 doing weU, possibly because it is somebody's interest to protect them from depre- 

 dations of unprincipled persons. 



In this connection I should counsel against further plantings of oysters on this 

 coast by the (J(immission unless satisfa,ctory guarantee can be offered that they 

 will be protected from theft. A general assurance from the oystermen of a given 

 locality is not sufficient, as then no one feels the responsibility and no one wishes 

 to assume the onus of prosecuting the offenders even if they be detected. 



In two of the five oysters found the ovaries were well developed and apparently 

 ripe eggs could be squeezed from the oviduct. The other three were not sexually 

 mature, and as no males were found the possibility of fertilizing the eggs could 

 not be tested. I understand, however, that Professor Doan, of the State Agricul- 

 tural College, succeeded in fertilizing some eggs earlier in the summer. He is said 

 to be carrying on experiments on the line of artificial fecundation as a solution 

 of the difficulties in establishing self-sustaining beds. 



So far as I could iearn, there is no evidence that the eastern oyster has ever 

 naturally spawned here, or, rather, that there has ever been a set of spat. I think 

 that the cold water here will prevent that under ordinary conditions, but I believe 

 that in shallow ponds suitably constructed, and with proper precautions against the 

 deposit of silt on the cultch, spat maybe raised for subsequent planting in the 

 open bay. If the Commission is to attempt oyster-culture on thij coast, it seems 

 to me that this line of research is the one indicated- as most reasonable and most 

 likely to yield results of value. The water during my stay was about 61° F., 8 or 

 9 degrees lower thun usually suffices for the development of oyster fry. 



We have no series of temperature and density observations extending through- 

 out the year on this coast, and I have left a set of salinometers with Mr. Bush, who 

 will make and record observations. 



Concerning the native oyster, I made the interesting observation that, like its 

 European relative, the eggs undergo a very considerable development in the gill 

 chamber of the mother. When discharged they are, in fact, about at the stage of 

 fixation. The eggs and embryos are very much larger than the eggs of the east- 

 ern oyster. 1 do not remember to have seen this fact mentioned by those who have 

 called attention to the hermaphroditism of the species. 



The failure of the eastern oyster to reproduce in the colder waters 

 of Oregon and Washington has suggested the desirability of trans- 

 planting to our west coast some of the line large oysters found in 

 northern Japan, notably in Akishi Bay, on the eastern side of Ilokushu 

 Island. This step has been recommended by the Commission to some 

 of the oyster-planters of Washington, and it is understood that nego- 

 tiations are now under way for the shipment of a cargo for trans- 

 planting in Willapa Bay and other waters of Wasliington. 



