LXXIII 
Oyster — ( Ostrea virginiana). 
We have hitherto paid no special attention to one great 
source of wealth in the State, one of the most important pro- 
ducts of our waters, as there exists a department specially 
charged with the protection of the oysters. But the study of 
the fishes inhabiting the Chesapeake Bay has necessarily led 
us to the consideration of the condition of the oyster-beds. 
As some of our most important fishes derive their food either 
directly from the oyster, or prey upon smaller fishes which 
are attracted to the oyster-beds by the parasites which there 
abound, the occurrence of several varieties in our waters is de- 
pendent upon the existence of the oyster-beds. 
These considerations have rendered it necessary, for a just 
appreciation of the subject, that we should make a study of 
the natural history of this important mollusk. With this 
object in view, we were fortunate in securing the aid of 
Dr. W. K. Brooks, associate in Biology of the Johns Hopkins 
University, and the trustees of the Institution very kindly 
sanctioned Dr. Brooks’ absence for a few weeks prior to the 
close of the session. Having urged upon Dr. Brooks the im- 
portance of commencing his researches early in the spring, he 
accordingly proceeded to Crisfield in the month of May. 
The study of the embryology of the oyster resulted in the 
acquisition of information which must prove most valuable 
not only to the inhabitants of the Chesapeake Bay, but to 
the whole Atlantic Coast. The results of these investigations 
by Dr. Brooks, and his very able treatise on the embryology 
of the oyster, will be found in the appendix of this report. 
It will be seen that these investigations have placed it within 
our power to multiply the oyster to an indefinite amount, and 
although the supply has diminished to a very alarming extent, 
we have now sufficient knowledge to enable us, at any time, 
to arrest this decrease. A careful examination of the results 
of Dr. Brooks’ researches would indicate the advisability of 
establishing at some suitable point on the Chesapeake Bay, 
without delay, a breeding park. This can be done at very 
little expense, and would be of much importance not only to 
