[ * 5 8 ] 
Part of their Nourifhment; which feems probable, by 
their being difperfed through the Body of the Mufcle 
(This is better feen when alive ; but now they are dry, one 
of the Specimens plainly fhew it). dV^TAB. II. Fig. i. 
The other Ufe of thefe fibrous Roots (for fo I 
muft call them), by their ftriking deep into the Mud 
or Sand, is to fecure the Creature from being carried 
away by the Rapidity of the Tide: So that, in this 
Circumftance, they are fomewhat analogous to Plants, 
whofe Roots both nourifh them, and fecure them 
from the Injuries of Wind and Flood. 
Our Oyfters are of an oblong Figure; they grow 
at the Sides and Bottoms of Creeks, Rivers, and Bays, 
near the Sea ; but moftly in fuch a Situation where 
they are near or quite dry at low Water: They have 
the Power of Opening and Shutting, like the Mufcle, 
to take in and retain the Salt-Water, which is their 
principal Nourifhment: Tho’ they flick in the Mud, 
they are not fo fccured as the Salt-Marfh Mufcle bc- 
fore-mention’d ; and tho’ thefe Oyfters grow in great 
Clutters or Heaps, commonly called Oyfter-Banks, 
yet every one that is alive hath free Communication 
with the Air and Water, and Liberty to open and 
fhut. If the Oyfter’s Way of growing may be com- 
pared to that of a Plant, I think there is great Simi- 
litude between it and the Opuntia, or Indian Fig ; a 
Leaf produces and fupports a’ Leaf, and fo on : Thus 
the young Qyfter grows on the Sides of the old one, 
which, by degrees, is fo deep immerged in the Mud, 
that it dieth ; but yet it ferves to fupport the young 
one upright, until it comes to Maturity to produce 
others; and then that, by degrees, fublides ; fo that, 
by this Method, Banks of dead and living Oyflers 
are extended of an inconceivable Length and Breadth 
through all our Coafts, Our 
