330 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
MISSISSIPPI SOUND. 
After finishing the survey of tlie reefs in the vicinity of Grant Pass, but a few 
days more being at our disposal, a trip on the sound as far as Portersville was made. 
A number of density observations which were taken on the way showed that the 
water was fresh at this time as far as Portersville, and we were told that it extended 
much farther to the westward. The general shallowness of the oyster-bearing portion 
of this part of the sound, the wide distribution of the oysters, the necessity of doing- 
most of the work from small boats, and the close distinction to be made between the 
natural and the plant beds — as it is claimed that a large part of the present plant 
beds is located upon sites of depleted natural beds — precluded any detailed survey 
being made at the time. 
A survey of this region to be of practical value must be one of considerable 
detail and will have to be made Avhen the contemplated oyster investigations in these 
waters are continued, but a few remarks as to the general extent of the oyster- 
grounds are here given. The distance, measured on a straight line, from the western 
end of Grant Pass to a point where the Alabama State line strikes the sound, is 15 
miles. The water area embraced between that line and the shore north of it may 
be roughly estimated at 35,000 acres; two-thirds of this area has less than 6 feet of 
depth and the remaining third averages less than 9 feet. 
That much of this area may be considered suitable for oyster-culture is borne out 
by the circumstance that oysters are growing in all parts of it. To the above area 
may be added no less than 10,000 acres of marsh, which if the occasion should 
demand might, with comparatively small outlay for dredging, be changed into canals 
or basins, which would make ideal oyster gardens. It will then be possible to exclude 
the voracious drumfish; and the catch of the spat of the oyster can be controlled, and 
not subjected, as at present, to chance conditions of wind, waves, and currents. 
Between the above-mentioned line and the islands south of it the area of that 
part of the sound which lies in Alabama amounts to something over 55,000 acres. 
Little is known of the bottom of this region. The depth does not go over 17 feet and 
a quarter of the area is less than 12 feet. Much valuable information in regard to 
oysters in this vicinity was obtained from Mr. John J. Delchamps, a gentleman of 
wide information and experience, whose study of the oyster extends over many years. 
At my request he has written a short article on the subject, and I have taken the 
liberty to insert it in this report. (See page 339.) 
EASTERN SHORE— DESCRIPTION OF AREAS EXAMINED. 
Great Point Clear . — In this locality there is an oyster reef which lies 2f miles 
SSW. of Great Point Clear. It contains 53 acres, of which 30 acres are “rank” (a 
term which is used to express dense growth) and 23 acres are scattering. The depth 
of water ranges from 8i to 10J feet. The bottom consists of soft mud, with occasional 
patches of hard mud and sand; no grass found. The changes in depth over the reef 
were found to vary but little, no more than a foot. 
Two density observations taken here, one February 16 and one March 16, give a 
mean of 1.0009 for the surface and 1.0032 for the bottom. During the early part of 
the following December the density for this locality was about 1.0160. The above 
densities and those following in this report have all been reduced to a standard 
temperature of 15° C. 
