OYSTER-CULTURE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 
311 
and 1.0224 bottom. The depths correspond with the Coast Survey soundings, and 
there is a strong tidal current. While no oysters were found in deep water the char- 
acteristic growth was found along the shores, extending in narrow ledges from near its 
head to the mouth. The upper part of the river was not examined, but reliable 
information was had from the natives of the conditions existing above the mouth of 
the Colleton Eiver. The total area of the river is 2,810 acres ; approximate area of 
natural oyster beds, 14.5 acres. 
Colleton River has its rise near the west end of Callawassie Island, where it is a 
broad bay or flat dotted with marsh islands. Its general trend for the first 5 miles is 
southeast, when it makes an abrupt bend to the north, and 2 miles farther forms a 
junction with the Chechessee opposite the upper end of Daws Island. The specific 
gravity near the mouth at early flood was 1.0221 surface and 1.0224 bottom. At the 
head, at the same time of the tide, the specific gravity was 1.0216 surface and 1.0217 
bottom. Having no large source of fresh water, the variations in density at different 
stages of the tide are not great. The character of the bottom is very favorable, being 
hard and sticky for the most part, and the depths correspond with the Coast Survey 
soundings. While this river was thoroughly dredged, no oysters were discovered in 
deep water, but it presents a good field for the transplanting of the oysters growing 
along the shores between high and low tide mark, to deeper water where the bottom is 
favorable. The total area of the river is about 1,640 acres; area of natural oyster 
beds, about 12.4 acres. 
OTceeteet River is properly a continuation of the Colleton Eiver and joins it at the 
head of the bay. The topography of the charts had not been completed beyond its 
mouth, but an examination was made 2 miles above and the shore line sketched in. 
The bottom is favorable, being hard and sticky. The specific gravity at the mouth 
during the early flood was 1.0212 surface and 1.0213 bottom. At the highest point 
reached it was 1.0215 at both surface and bottom. Total area examined, 256 acres ; 
area of natural oyster beds, 2.2 acres. 
Broad River . — This large stream, a continuation of Port Eoyal Sound, heads at 
the junction of the Coosawhatcliie and Pocotaligo rivers near Hall Island, and, flowing 
in a southeasterly direction, enters Port Eoyal Sound 17 miles below this junction at 
the south end of Daws Island. As its name would indicate, it is a bold, broad stream, 
some 2 miles wide at the mouth and with an average width of 1| miles. The tides 
run very swift and strong, and a part of its bottom is covered with quick and shifting 
sands, which would make the cultivation of oysters in the lower part of the river 
unsafe. This shifting character of bottom was noted by the discrepancy between our 
soundings and those of the Coast Survey charts in places. The specific gravity of the 
water near the mouth at early flood was 1.0224 surface and 1.0226 bottom; at the 
mouth of Whale Branch during first of ebb it was 1.0212 at both surface and bottom ; 
and at the head or mouth of the Pocotaligo Eiver during half ebb, 1.0172 surface and 
1.0179 bottom. It will be observed that the specific gravity of the water at the head 
is much less than at the mouth. This is due to the fresh water from the Coosawhatchie 
and Pocotaligo rivers, which drain a large area of fresh water swamps and give the 
water here a dark color like that from the juniper swamps. Neither dredging nor 
sounding discovered oysters in deep water in the river, but the usual accompaniment of 
raccoon oysters is found along the shore from the mouth to the head, the ledges 
becoming less frequent and the oysters of poorer type as you approach the head. 
