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that there is a difference in the time of spawning of the shoal 
and deep water oysters. There is but one other way of account- 
ing for the absence of young on the northern beds, and that is 
by accepting the supposition that the “ spatting ” not only 
does not occur every year, but that it only occurs on parts of 
dhe Sounds during each season. Such is the opinion of many 
people of experience; but I am inclined, from the results al- 
ready given, to prefer the other solution of the problem, not 
having found any reason that would support the opposite 
theory or lead to its. entertainment.* 
The difference in time of spawning in shoal and deep 
water is probably due to difference in temperature, the deep 
er water naturally being of the lowest. The establishment 
•or the refutation of this supposition, as also of that of the dif- 
ference of the times of spawning, is very necessary, especially 
of the latter, as it would afford a sure basis for such legislation 
for the protection of the beds as will soon be necessary. 
Aside from the general absence or presence of young on par- 
ticular beds, it was noticed that a much smaller number were 
found on or adjacent to the muddy bottoms, or on the sands 
where there was much grass or sponge. On the beds a large 
•number of young were seldom found where there was much 
of the red moss, though there was not always a diminution of 
ithe former when the latter was present. 
The absence of the young may be very readily accounted 
for if the moss had formed previous to the “ spatting,” as it 
would prevent the exposure of the “ cultch.” The moss or 
weed is of very rapid growth, and I was informed that on an 
un worked bed it had been known to become three or four 
feet thick in a few months. If, then, it had formed and com- 
menced growing after the “ spatting ” season, the young would 
not be as much disturbed by it as they would if the growth 
had been previous to their advent. This is another argument 
in favor of the theory that the depth of the water influences the 
time of spawning, as the effect of the moss or weed upon the 
^numbers of young was greater in deep than in shallow water. 
The number of drills were, generally speaking, in direct pro- 
*Note — Reference is made to this statement in Report of 1879. 
