Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-17
Late Lieut.. WinsIoW, u. S. N,
Was Pioneer investigator.
IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES
Determined Best Conditions for
Propagation of Bivalve.
TH0R0UGHNESs OF METHOD
First to Establish Fact That Grill
Was Dangerous Parasite.
Awarded French Medal.

The brief notices of the recent death of
Lieut. Francis Winslow U.S.N.. which oc-
CURED in Norfolk. Conn. did not Include
any account OF his greatest achievements
the investigation of the oyster beds of
the United States and his many valuable
discoveries with regard to the life and
habits of the oyster which have so great
ly tended to retard the threatened ex-
tinction of that food product.
In 1878 he was assigned by the super!n-
to investigate the oyster beds of James
river and Chesapeake bay. He was placed
in command of the coast survey schooner
Palinurus
Thoroughness Of Method.
With characteristic thoroughness he be-
gan first Of all systematic delineation of
the oyster beds themselves. Later, by
means of an ingenious method invented
by himself he succeeded. In making
close comparative estimate OF the num-
Der of oysters to the square yard upon
each bed This, while not accurate, was
yet a means of comparison, and furnished
the first data for comparison OF these
areas.
By series of cross sections and speci-
mems of water, taken at different depths
and analysed, he determined the organic
matter flowing over the beds, and by an
alysis Of the mud bottom the detrimental
qualities of the deposit which might tend
to injure the young.
In the meantime he improvised an aqua
rum on board and cultivated the young
oysters during the spawning season. unit
ing the spat upon tiles, and daily watch
| ing infinitely through the microscope the
growth Of the young oyster, taking mi
| crometer measurements of the newly
formed shells and recording them. He
thus studied the embryo from its earliest
stage.
Closed Season Extended.
He met with some opposition from the
practical oystermen who fear some loss
to themselves from these Investigations,
but So comprehensive and SO rapid was
his work that in two seasons he had col
lected sufficient data to show that the
closed season should be extended one
month to prevent the new growth from
injuryjhat is, the closed season which
had formerly been from May / to August
81, inclusive, was extended from april
Ii to September 10, inclusive.
In the course of this investigation Lieut.
Winslow discovered that the small asty
ris, or drills as they are termed, which
hitherto had been considered harmless
parasites, were most dangerous enemies
boring through the tender shell and de-
vouring the young oyster. That was the
first intimation that either scientists or
practical oystermen had received that
these MISUNDERSTANDING black grains
were harmful.
DR.. w. H. Dali classified this astyris as
a new variety of the allied groups of
astyris spirantha and astyris lunata, and
| in honor Of its discoverer named it asty-
ris winslovii. DR.. Dali says in this con-
nection:
Though known to be carniverous, no
species OF the genus astyris has been re-
corded until now as an injurious animal"
Preservation Of Oysters.
To illustrate the value of that dis
covery, millions Of young oysters are pre-
served from its ravages by the simple ex-
pedient of not returning the old loose
shells to the beds until they have been
| long enough exposed to the air to in
sure the death of these small shellfsh.
When i'll headth and falling eye sight
necessitated Lieut.. Winslow's retirement
from active service in the navy, he still
devoted himself to the work of planting
| oysters in those waters of Albemarle and
| Pamlico sounds, where he had found
| Chesapeake bay.
| His investigations along these lines,
| though perhaps not well known, have
| been nevertheless much appreciated by
| Europeans The French Societie d. Ac-
| limitation presented him with a gold
medal in recognition of his researches and
| discoveries. He was recognized as one
/ of the most expert biologists as regards
| crustaceana.