OSTREADiE. OYSTER. 
71 
beds, which are found on many parts of our coasts. The 
artificial beds require much labour to keep them in 
order, and free from shells and rubbish. The common 
mussel is an enemy to the oyster, as it causes mud to 
collect ; and the starfish and whelk feed upon them, as 
do crabs and other shell-fishes. Dr. Paul Fischer states 
that the oyster-beds at Arcachon have suffered consider- 
ably from the havoc caused by Murex erinaceus, which 
has appeared in great numbers within the last ten years. 
It is known by the name of cormalllot, or perceur, and 
incessant war is waged against it ; but the numbers do 
not decrease. Again, cold weather has a most per- 
nicious effect upon the spat, for if the water is not 
warm enough the spat dies. Oysters will not even 
spawn if the weather is too cold.* Some of our prin- 
cipal beds are those of Whitstable, Rochester, Colches- 
ter, Milton, Faversham, Queensborough, and Burnham. 
Colchester has been celebrated for its oysters from a 
remote period, and they were deemed an appropriate 
present from the authorities of the town to ministers of 
state, and other eminent persons. We hear of their 
having been sent, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to 
Leicester and Walsingham.t At the annual Colchester 
Oyster Feast, held in the Townhall, October, 1862, 
Mr. Miller, M.P., mentioned that Mr. Goody, clerk 
to the Colne Fishery Company, with himself and a 
few other gentlemen, had appealed to the Treasury, 
because it was apprehended that Belgium, to which a 
large number of oysters are sent, was about to impose 
a duty which would inflict a serious injury upon the 
town. However, it was found from the interview that 
* ‘ Times,’ Mr. Buckland’s Letter on Oysters, Aug. 3, 1864. 
t Cromwell’s Hist, of Colchester, vol. ii. 
