ODE SEA FISHERIES. 267 



in circumference, and from three to six feet deep in 

 the middle. The bottom is muddy, and is dotted 

 over with large stones or fragments of rocks, to which 

 the oysters may attach themselves ; and round about 

 these stones large stakes, which project above the 

 water, are stuck into the soil — not so tightly, however, 

 but what they can be withdrawn. Prom these stakes 

 to others extend lines or cords, and from these cords 

 at intervals are suspended faggots, to and within 

 which the spawn of the oyster, when first hatched, 

 can attach and ensconce itself until safe from any 

 outward danger. The use of these faggots and stakes 

 is important, as when the young of the oyster is first 

 hatched, it scatters in all directions, until it finds 

 something to which it can safely attach itself. Mean- 

 time it is the prey of every fish or marine creature 

 that can take it, while vast numbers perish from other 

 circumstances ; and were it not for the fact that each 

 female oyster is said to give forth yearly from one to 

 two millions of yoUng, the stock, xmder the calls that 

 are made upon it by man, must rapidly diminish. 

 When about three years old, under favourable cir- 

 cumstances, the oyster becomes edible. 



When they wish to obtain oysters at Lake Tusaro, 

 they either break them off the stones with hooks, or 

 guU up the stakes or faggots, and detach such as they 



