March, 1888.] elliott society. 19 7 



History of the Mill Pond Oyster and Cause of its Disappearance. 



BY C. BUNTING COLSON, M. D. 



Students of Natural History have paid no mean attention to the Molhisk in 

 comparison with the other branches of the Animal Kingdom. The habits, 

 anatomy, and functions of the several varieties of this sub-kingdom, have been 

 almost exhaustively investigated, and the common Oyster has been most partic- 

 ularly studied on account of its great economic value. 



These studies or researches, with few exceptions, have, however, been of the 

 Oyster in its natural bed ; my purpose is to study it out of its natural bed, and 

 note the changes and conditions necessary for its culture and development. 

 At the present time a large proportion of the vast amount of this bivalve con- 

 sumed by man, has been either transplanted, or propagated in new waters and 

 beds. In the following history of the Mill Pond Oyster, the necessity for know- 

 ing the habits and requirements of the Oyster, when placed in a new position 

 or surroundings, will be perceived. 



On the East bank of the Ashley Kiver and bordering the entire Western 

 shore of the City of Charleston, are several large ponds, called Mill Ponds, or 

 latterly Oyster Ponds ; they vary from about 30 acres to near 1000 acres in 

 extent, and were formed by damming in the low marsh flats in reach of the 

 tides for the use of the saw-mills. The water was allowed to flow in them at 

 the rise of the tide through a sluice or flood-gate opening on the river, which 

 was lowered or closed as the tide ebbed, and thus a head of water of from two 

 to three feet was detained, this was allowed to flow back gradually through a 

 sluice to turn a water-wheel from which the saw mills received their power. 

 This water was taken twice a day, at each flood of the tide. These ponds were 

 also used to float the logs for the mills and were generally quite full of heavy 

 timber. Very shortly after they were made it was noticed that the Oyster 

 thrived and developed in them to an excellent condition, and in a few years 

 the ponds were vast beds of Oysters which seemed inexhaustible, as each year 

 they reproduced their kind in abundance. 



I would mention for the information of those who were not fortunate enough 

 to be familiar with this special variety of Oyster, that it was considered the 

 finest type grown in Southern waters. Their flavor was desired by the epicure, 

 their size was enormous, they were fat, yellow and most inviting, and the shell 

 externally was as black as jet, and internally was a pure white, spotless pearl. 



The owners of these ponds were all wealthy, and the Oysters were seldom 

 sold and fortunate was he deemed who received a bushel or a dozen. The ponds 

 were guarded at night to prevent theft. The Mill Pond Oyster was renowned 

 — to-day it is a thing of the past. 



In my study of this Oyster and the cause of its disappearance, which was 

 owing to a mechanical condition, it has been interesting to note the physiologi- 

 cal changes the Oyster must undergo to grow and develop in a mill pond. 



Prom 1830 to 1869, the saw mills working by water power from these ponds 



