Class VI. OSTREA. OYSTER. 231 



page of the History of Rochester, in 12mo. pub- 

 lished in 1776. 



1 Great part of the inhabitants of Stroud are 

 ' supported by the fisheries, of which the oyster 

 1 is most considerable. This is conducted by 

 1 a company of free dredgers, established by 

 ' prescription, but subject to the authority and 

 ' government of the mayor and citizens of Ro- 

 ' Chester. In 1729 an act of parliament was 

 i obtained, for the better management of this 

 ' fishery, and for confirming the jurisdiction of 

 ' the said mayor and citizens, and free dredgers. 

 4 The mayor holds a court of admiralty every 



■ year, to make such regulations as shall be 



■ necessary for the well conducting this valu- 



* able branch of fishery. Seven years appren- 



* ticeship entitles a person to the freedom of 

 i this company. All persons catching oysters, 

 c not members of the fishery, are liable to a 

 1 penalty. The company frequently buy brood 



* or spat from other parts, which they lay in 



* this river, where they soon grow to maturity. 

 ' Great quantities of these oysters are sent to 

 ' London ; to Holland, Westphalia, and the ad- 

 1 jacent countries.' 



