TRAINED OYSTERS.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 103, 13 October 1877, Page 3

TRAINED OYSTERS.

Mr Hamilton, of the Aquarium, had developed a new instance of the wonderful effect of kindness upon the lower order of animals. In a small tank are kept some' fine .live oysters. They looked so lonely that Mr Hamilton daily dropped powdered fish and other tit-bits they . ftre known to. be fond of upbn them. They showed nb appreciation .of this kindness for weeks, but one day lrfst Week, as Mr Hamilton was making his rotinds, he 'was surprised to the oysters opening their shells at . Ms approach, as if they expected to receive food. Reaching down he placed the food within the expanded shell of one of the. bivalvesj ; which immediately closed. This was repeated until the oyster became so tame as to allow Mr Hamilton to insert*itis finger into his shell. A person Who witnessed the operation . thought -that the oyster would not know the difference if he p-Bt his' finger m. He tried it, and instantly the sharp jaws closed with a force that made the experimenter scream with pain. But as soon as Mr Hamilton touched the oyster it seemed to recognise him, and the imprisoned finger was .released. The oysters endeavoured tofoilow their friends, propelling themselves with a jerking motion by quickly opening and . shutting their shells l—N. V; " Sun "