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BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATION. 
The oyster-bearing waters of South Carolina present the same characteristic fea- 
tures found in Georgia, consisting of small open sounds connected by a number of wind- 
ing rivers and creeks which separate the sea islands from each other and from the 
mainland. The tides ebb and flow swiftly through these streams with a current rang- 
ing from 1 to 2 miles an hour. It was decided to conduct the hydrographic survey of this 
State in the same manner and by the same methods that were employed in Georgia, 
Avith the object not only of fixing the position and extent of the natural oyster beds, 
but also of determining the general conditions of the streams, the character of the 
bottom, and the specific gravity of the water. 
With very few exceptions, the natural oyster beds lie along the shores in narrow 
strips, the greater part being left bare at low water. Care was taken that the observa- 
tions, whenever practicable, should be made from half ebb to half flood, when the outer 
limits of the oyster beds are visible. This, coupled with the detailed topography of 
the Coast Survey charts, on which the work was platted in the field, enabled us to 
locate their positions with considerable accuracy. It would have taken several years 
to make a complete survey of all the streams embraced within the territory examined, 
but it is believed that sufficient data have been collected and are presented in this 
report to enable anyone who is interested in the subject to recognize without much 
trouble at least the majority of localities that are adapted to oyster cultivation. Pains 
were taken to obtain as much information as possible from the more intelligent fisher- 
men and oystermen with whom we came in contact, especially as regards the streams 
not visited by the party. 
The present State laws are entirely inadequate to meet the requirements of oyster- 
planting. A penalty is prescribed for stealing oysters from planted grounds, but 
there is no provision for taking and holding grounds for that purpose, and the right 
to such possession can only be obtained by special legislation. It is hoped that one 
of the results of the present survey will be to influence liberal action on the part of 
the State legislature to the extent of affording every legitimate means for the promo- 
tion of this important industry. Since the completion of the oyster survey of Geor- 
gia several large companies have been formed, which are now operating extensively 
on the coast of that State, and much ground has been leased or taken up by them. 
The territory which they occupy is similar in character to that occurring in South 
Carolina, and their experiments are being watched with much interest. None of 
these companies succeeded during last year in catching a set of spat on the shells or 
cnltch thrown over in deep water, the cause of which is still subject to inquiry, but 
good success has been had from the use of the raccoon oyster from the ledges as a 
seed for planting in deep water. 
The steam launches attached to the steamer Fish HawTc were generally employed 
in making the examinations, especially in the smaller streams. Soundings were made 
continuously during the survey, and the dredge was used occasionally along the same 
lines. Density observations were taken at frequent intervals both at the surface and 
at the bottom, the stage of the tide being carefully noted in each instance. All the 
data were immediately plotted on Coast Survey charts taken on the launches for that 
purpose, the same being subsequently transferred to clean sheets on board the Fish 
