II.
197. INGREDIENTS.—2 quarts of good mutton broth, 6 dozen oysters, 2 oz. butter, 1 oz. of flour.
Mode.—Beard the oysters, and scald them in their own liquor; then add it, well strained, to the broth; thicken with the butter and flour, and simmer for 1/4 of an hour. Put in the oysters, stir well, but do not let it boil, and serve very hot.
Time.—3/4 hour. Average cost, 2s. per quart.
Seasonable from September to April.
Sufficient for 8 persons.
SEASON OF OYSTERS.—From April and May to the end of July, oysters are said to be sick; but by the end of August they become healthy, having recovered from the effects of spawning. When they are not in season, the males have a black, and the females a milky substance in the gill. From some lines of Oppian, it would appear that the ancients were ignorant that the oyster is generally found adhering to rocks. The starfish is one of the most deadly enemies of these bivalves. The poet says:—
The prickly star creeps on with full deceit To force the oyster from his close retreat. When gaping lids their widen'd void display, The watchful star thrusts in a pointed ray, Of all its treasures spoils the rifled case, And empty shells the sandy hillock grace.