MODES OF OYSTER FISHING. 



695 



productiveness of the beds is almost inestimable, and yet, despite 

 the immense number of oysters yearly brought to market, the 

 demand continually outstrips the supply. The modern meth- 

 ods of canning have opened a so much wider market, the whole 

 inland country being thus opened to the supply, it is almost 

 impossible to overstock the market. 



The peculiar green color of the oysters in France, which 

 have been planted in beds, or claries, and which is thought to 

 make their flavor better, arises from some cause, concerning 

 which naturalists differ. It seems, however, to be some kind 

 of disease, arising from the condition of the water in these 

 beds. 



i 



Oyster fishing is pursued indifferent ways, indifferent coun 

 tries. Around Minorca the diver descends with a hammer in 

 bis hand to knock the oysters from the rocks, and brings up 

 generally a dozen or more with each descent. On the English and 

 French coasts the dredge is used. This method is very destruc- 

 tive, since it tears the large and small together from their native 

 spot, and buries many also in the mud. Oysters, as we know 

 them, are of convenient size for making a mouthful ; the largest 

 may have to be separated into parts before a delicate person 

 can swallow them, but it is only the largest which have to be 

 submitted to this process, and your real oyster lover has too 

 tender a regard for his favorite mollusk to so maltreat it. On 

 the coast of Coromandel, however, the oysters grow to be as 

 big as soup plates, and larger, the shells of some of them 

 measuring almost two feet across. These shells are frequently 

 used in the Catholic churches of Europe to contain the holy 

 water, placed near the door for the use of the faithful, and are 

 quite as large as big hand basins. A half-dozen such oysters 

 on the half-shell, would make a feast even for the most vora- 

 cious oyster eater. 



The oyster beds on the coast of the United States are gener- 

 ally in. so shallow water that they can be readily reached with 



