184: 
extensively as the others in Pocomoke Sound, we find the ra- 
tio of young growth to mature oysters exceedingly small. In 
no case do the former predominate. From this, according to 
the deductions from the Tangier Beds, it would be inferred 
that the seasons of 1876 or 7 were nnusually successful ones 
for the attachment of the spat, and that subsequently there 
has been no successful season. 
By referring to the spatting table, we find, however, that 
the spatting season of 1876 or 1877 was, on the whole, unsuc- 
cessful, and the seasons subsequent have either been successful 
or moderately so, and this conclusion is supported by our ob- 
servations during 1878. 
But as the success or non-success, as shown by the spatting 
table, is comparative only, we can only assume that whether 
successful or not the attachment was not sufficient as one ex- 
planation of the small ratios found in Pocomoke. 
Consequently the variation in the success of different spat- 
ting seasons is not sufficient to explain unusual and abnormal 
changes in the ratios of the young growth to the mature 
oyster. 
It is evident that the removal of a large number of mature 
oysters from a bed would show apparently an increased fecun- 
dity, by increasing the ratio of young growth to mature oys- 
ters, and this apparent increase would be observable for at 
least two years, or until the young growth became in turn 
mature, when, as the reproduction would naturally be dimin- 
ished by the removal of the brood oysters, and consequently 
there would be a smaller number of young growth, and as 
the young growth of the previous year would be in that time 
mature, the ratio would suddenly turn in the opposite way, 
and be as abnormally small as it had been abnormally large. 
Once having taken this turn, and the fishing still continu- 
ing, the ratios would constantly decrease. A few fluctuations 
might occur now and then, but the general tendency would 
be a diminishing one. 
Nature arranges her own laws of supply and demand, and 
the proportions she establishes between the different classes in 
any community are most likely to be the necessary ones, and 
