137 
are more affected by cold water and ice than those on the 
shoals, it is necessary to remember that the lower the tempe- 
rature of sea water the greater its density, and thus as the 
surface water becomes cooler it would sink. The freezing 
point of salt water is below that of fresh. Therefore the oys- 
ters in the deep water, or generally speaking, those remote, 
from the mouths of the streams, may have surrounding them 
water of a slightly lower temperature depending upon the 
amount of salinity than those oysters near the creeks and 
rivers that are surrounded by ice. Again, the deep water 
would be much slower to lose or acquire heat than that on the 
surface or in less depths, which would necessarily be affected 
quickly by all changes of weather. 
The statement that the oysters recover and reappear after 
the “ sanding” process, must be received with great caution, 
opposed as it is to most experience. That some few may sur- 
vive is possibly the case, but that the majority recover after 
being covered with sand for any length of time is very doubtful. 
The testimony of all persons in the neighborhood of the 
Sounds was to the effect that the beds were deteriorating. In 
the absence of any reliable observations, extending over any 
length of time, their opinions must be taken as correct, at 
least as to the fact, although perhaps only approximately so 
as to the degree. Accepting, then, the statement, it is neces- 
sary to account for the deterioration if possible. 
After the original formation and growth of the beds they 
would at some time, the same conditions continuing, cease their 
development, neither increasing in size or in number of oys- 
ters, there being a natural limit to expansion in either direc- 
tion. Supposing, then, a bed to have extended itself as far a& 
the conditions of bottom and water or other natural limit 
would allow, all future expansion could be only in the number 
of oysters on the bed and this is limited principally by the 
amount of food and the room for development, the question 
of enemies not being considered, as there being no increase if 
they were not in sufficient numbers to prevent the growth of 
the bed and number of oysters, they would not be sufficient 
to cause its destruction or deterioration. 
