oyster-drill

Updated: May 23, 2025

The only thing that keeps the oyster-drill in check at all is that as soon as it is big enough for a younger drill to climb on its shell, it is apt to suffer the same fate. It is a case of reversed cannibalism, the stronger falling to the weaker." "What can be done to stop it?" "Nothing so far," said the director; "that is my chosen problem.

Francis Rolt-Wheeler - The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries

Prelatt?" inquired Colin. "All creatures have their own special enemies," the director answered; "and everything is so equally balanced that there are enough oysters born to keep up the supply in spite of the attacks of the whelk, or oyster-drill as it is termed.

Francis Rolt-Wheeler - The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries

Up-to-date vessels engaged in that work have a vat of boiling water on deck, into which the tangle is plunged when it is pulled up from the bottom. This kills the starfish and is a great gain over the old system of picking them out of the tangle by hand. "But the worst of all the oyster's enemies," the director continued, "and the one on which I am working, is the oyster-drill.

Francis Rolt-Wheeler - The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries

But I'm always glad of suggestions, and when you can help me in any way I'll let you know." "Thank you ever so much, Mr. Prelatt," Colin answered; "I'll be glad to do anything I can." The boy had a fertile brain, and, before a week had passed by, a line of experiment suggested itself to him in connection with the oyster-drill problem and he explained it to the director.

Francis Rolt-Wheeler - The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries