46 THE THREATENED DESTRUCTION OF
that which it has been proved cannot be created. Indeed, we may
trace the great advance in the price of native oysters, from the time
when the parent beds were unduly denuded of the young stuff, for
the ineffectual purpose of stocking new and experimental grounds.
It must also be borne in mind that the development of the rail-
way system throughout Europe has given facilities of distribution
over a considerably increased area, in which these delicacies were
formerly unknown. The superiority of our English native in
character and quality is now firmly established on the continent:
the opulent Russian, and the rich sojourner in the Riviera, both
regard him as the oyster of oysters.
That the inflowing sea-water which washes the Maplin Sands sets,
at certain states of the tides, directly towards the spawning grounds of
the Crouch and Roach, is perfectly well known. This fact has
recently been proved in a most positive and incontestable manner by
the wreck of an orange-laden vessel in these waters. Part of the
cargo was speedily deposited and picked up from some of the
choicest and most prolific brood-lyings of these two rivers.
Many kindred industries would also be injuriously affected should
the proposal now under discussion be persevered in. Mussels,
cockles, clams, winkles, and other shell fish abound in these districts,
and afford employment to many not solely engaged in oyster culture.
Cultch, a most necessary material and valuable factor to successful
oyster breeding, is also dredged over a large area in close propinquity
to the Maplins. This so-called cultch consists of shells of various
fish and shingle, and is used at the approach of the spawning season
for solidifying, hardening, or fitting the brood-lyings, in the manner
best suited to receive and secure the fall of spat, so that cultch tainted
with the lees of sewage would be rendered, it is unnecessary to re-
mark, unsuitable for the purpose mentioned.
It need hardly be urged that the poisonous character of sewage
is inimical, nay deadly, to all oysters. But this is exceptionally so
in the infantile and delicately susceptible stages. To those who are
however unacquainted with this fact, it may be stated that the
Medina River in the Isle of Wight, was formerly, and still is, in
those parts unpolluted by the discharge of the sewage of Newport,
a good oyster-producing property. The destruction of certain por-
tions of these grounds through contamination was the subject of
lengthy litigation.
In all undertakings, especially in one so great as that having for