THE ESSEX OYSTER CULTURE. 45
beautiful pearl-like shells (not sufficiently heavy to sink it), and pro-
vided with propellers (cilia), the little creature is lucky indeed, if he
escapes the jaws of his innumerable finny enemies, often almost
equally diminutive, and if at the moment of compelled sinking he
can find a favourable spot for casting anchor and where, so far as he
is himself concerned, he must take up permanent quarters.
The comparative few which arrive at maturity after four or five
years, are still liable to be assailed by many enemies. The spawn of
the hardier mussel falls in such abundance as to overlie and choke
it; the dagger of the whelk-tingle is thrust through the thickest part
of the shell ; the starfish holds it in deadly grip until suffocated, and
then helps himself to the dainty morsel. Even when free from the
enemies of his own element, and basking upon the ebb-dry banks,
the sea-gull is apt to have an eye to him. It will thus be seen that
the existence of the oyster is already sufficiently uncertain, without
the introduction of exterminating sewage-polluted water, and that the
constant vigilance and aid of the cultivator is necessary, to guard
against the many natural enemies which abound even in those spots
most favourable for its propagation.
A considerable portion of the industry carried on in this neigh-
bourhood, especially in the Crouch district, consists of the sale of
immature oysters for lying down, as it is called, upon other beds,
where they rest till of marketable growth and condition. Enormous
numbers are thus shifted to various localities, when they have attained
the age of from one to two years, and are then of the size of a shilling
or two-shilling piece. The "Royal Whitstable" is thus reared, as is
also the famous "Ostend Oyster" of the continent. It is therefore
evident that the destruction of the breeding ground would mean the
stoppage of supply, and ruin of the trade in these and many other
places.
That the area of breeding grounds cannot be artificially extended,
has been most completely demonstrated, by the laudable but futile
efforts of many companies, formed for this purpose, since Government
granted upon certain conditions various portions of our coast with
the object of stimulating oyster culture. The late Mr. Frank Buck-
land was foremost amongst those who believed in the practicability of
making oyster grounds ; but he unfortunately lived to see the com-
plete failure of the many attempts made for that purpose, at enormous
cost and loss to those who embarked in these enterprises. The
despoiler therefore, has not the excuse of inexperience for destroying