OYSTER-DEEDGIKG AT COCKENZIE. 



26X 



of the saltpans. It is a large fine-flavoured oyster, as good as 

 any " native " that ever was brought to table, the Pooldoodies 

 of Burran not excepted. The men of Cockenzie derive a good 

 portion of their annual income from the oyster traffic. The 

 pursuit of the oyster, indeed, forms a phase of fisher life there as 

 distinct as at Whitstable. The times for going out to dredge 



OYSTER-DREDGING AT COCKENZIE. 



are at high tide and low tide. The boats used are the smaller- 

 sized ones employed in the white fishery. The dredge somewhat 

 resembles in shape a common clasp-purse ; it is formed of net- 

 work, attached to a strong iron frame, which serves to keep the 

 mouth of the instrument open, and acts also as a sinker, giving 

 it a proper pressure as it travels along the oyster-beds. When 

 the boat arrives over the oyster-scalps, the dredge is let down by 

 a rope attached to the upper ring, and is worked by one man, 

 except in cases where the boat has to be sailed swiftly, when 



