OYSTER BOTTOMS IN MATAGORDA BAY. 21 



able size about 1902, since which year .it lias been fished each season. 

 During at least a part of the season of 1904-5 it was the most ex- 

 tensively tonged bed in Matagorda Bay, about 50 boats being con- 

 stantly at work on it during November and December. Apparently 

 there has been no heavy set of spat in recent years, and the area 

 which has been most extensively worked during the past two or 

 three seasons is showing distinct indications of such exhaustion that 

 unless soon rejnenished with a young growth it will speedily again 

 become barren. At the inner end, in the area shown on the chart as 

 a very scattering growth, a number of boats operated early in the 

 season, but when this portion was examined in the latter part of 

 April there was practically no young growth and an average of but 

 one adult oyster per square yard. This part of the bed covers about 56 

 acres and was estimated to contain but approximately 1,000 barrels 

 of oysters, about 18 barrels per acre. Between 300 and 800 yards 

 shoreward of the light the same conditions obtain, there being an 

 average of but two adults per square yard. The oysters in both of 

 these localities are almost without exception large, single, and of 

 good shape. Beyond the light the growth is sparse, and no fishing is 

 done there. Of the very scattering oysters on the outer third of the 

 reef it is estimated that there are about 4,400 barrels, covering an area 

 of 176 acres. 



The densest area at the time the reef was examined lay on the 

 southeast side of the crest between 800 and 3,500 yards from shore, 

 on w T hich there were per square yard 35 oysters over and 11 under 3 

 inches in length. On this section there were estimated to be in 

 April, 1905, about 30,000 barrels of adult oysters, covering an area 

 of 87 acres. This area had been rather thoroughly fished during the 

 season, and in places had been almost " cleaned up," leaving but a 

 scattered growth. The oysters are good in size, shape, and quality. 

 Many of them, especially in areas which have been tonged, are single, 

 shapely individuals, but in the parts less extensively worked they are 

 large, clustered, and more elongate. They are best near the margin 

 of the reef. 



The part of the reef lying northwest of the crest was not examined 

 in detail, but general observation showed it to possess the same rel- 

 ative characters as the corresponding portions of the other long reefs 

 hereinafter described. There is a scattering growth of poor, small 

 oysters, covering an area of about 175 acres. 



The shells of oj^sters from Half Moon Beef are characterized by 

 abundant pits and chambers excavated by the boring clam, a more 

 detailed account of w T hich will be found in the section of this report 

 dealing with oyster enemies. The yellow boring sponge, which honey- 

 combs the shells with its galleries, is also abundant; there is a sparse 

 growth of mussels, and in April, 1905, many of the shells bore clusters 



