BIOLOGY OF THE OYSTER-GROUNDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 
339 
II. — OYSTERS DETACHED FROM RACCOON LEDGES. 
Throughout the oyster waters of the State there is no question of greater practical 
importance than that of the general absence of young oysters or spat in the deeper 
water. Wherever oysters have been found below the level of low tide, as in many of 
the shallow creeks, they may usually be referred to the neighboring raccoon beds for 
their accidental origin. Clusters may be seen which are gradually undermined by 
changing currents, and their progress may later be traced as they slowly roll down a 
firm shelving bottom into deeper water. Accordingly, we are not surprised to find 
that “ dropped- off” raccoons occur more commonly in marginal waters in scattering 
irregular beds, rarely in compact masses, and more rarely still in any great number. 
That deep-water oysters are generally of raccoon origin seems confirmed also by 
the absence of spat in their neighborhood.* Whatever may have occasioned the 
death or absence of oysters in the younger stage, it has certainly been of no serious 
detriment to the well-being of “ dropped-off” raccoons. They appear to have out- 
grown what is perhaps a disease of infancy, and under their new conditions of getting 
a livelihood they are greatly changed for the better. The bunching condition in deeper 
water becomes gradually less marked, the decay of basal shells allowing the individ- 
uals to separate. These now begin to lose their raccoon features, and in the end 
become “ single” oysters. As a raccoon, its shell was long, slender, thin, almost to 
transparentness,- its puckered free-edge was knife-like in its sharpness; its body was 
watery, swollen, and flaccid; its “meat” transparent, showing plainly the contained 
vessels and viscera; its palps and hood were blistery and distended; its pericardium 
swollen and atrophied; the edges of its transparent mantle thickened and heavy.! 
As a single oyster, it proves the benefit of the changed or deep-water conditions of 
living, and becomes portly, well-fed, and solid, different in every way from its former 
self. Its shell is now rounded and heavy, blunt at the “ nib” and regular in shape. 
The table oysters of the State, in many instances especially well flavored, are almost 
entirely of this character. 
Nature has thus demonstrated conclusively the simplest method of oyster-culture, 
how to transmute a tasteless raccoon into a table oyster. It is neither difficult nor 
costly to scatter in marginal waters about a fathom in depth, where the bottom is 
suitably firm, the raccoons raked from the neighboring ledge. The time required for 
the raccoon to acquire the features of single oysters will of necessity vary according 
to season and locality. The period of “conditioning” may be considerably shortened 
by separating the clustered oysters before planting, and a few months will probably 
be found to effect a marked change in the oyster’s condition. 
* A few exceptions have been noted in the report of Mr. John D. Battle. 
t The bettering of the condition of the raccoon oyster during early spring or late winter months 
has been pointed out by Mr. Battle. The improved feeding conditions which spring offers the exposed 
oyster may perhaps serve as a strong aid in its struggle for survival, enabling it to reserve nutriment, 
which later is developed into generative products. 
