2. A name popularly given to the delicate morsel contained in
a small cavity of the bone on each side of the lower part
of the back of a fowl.
{Fresh-water oyster} (Zo["o]l.), any species of the genus
{Etheria}, and allied genera, found in rivers of Africa
and South America. They are irregular in form, and attach
themselves to rocks like oysters, but they have a pearly
interior, and are allied to the fresh-water mussels.
{Oyster bed}, a breeding place for oysters; a place in a
tidal river or other water on or near the seashore, where
oysters are deposited to grow and fatten for market. See
1st {Scalp}, n.
{Oyster catcher} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
wading birds of the genus {H[ae]matopus}, which frequent
seashores and feed upon shellfish. The European species
({H. ostralegus}), the common American species ({H.
palliatus}), and the California, or black, oyster catcher
({H. Bachmani}) are the best known.
{Oyster crab} (Zo["o]l.) a small crab ({Pinnotheres ostreum})
which lives as a commensal in the gill cavity of the
oyster.
{Oyster dredge}, a rake or small dragnet of bringing up
oyster from the bottom of the sea.
{Oyster fish}. ({Zo["o]l}.)
(a) The tautog.
(b) The toadfish.
{Oyster plant}. (Bot.)
(a) A plant of the genus {Tragopogon} ({T. porrifolius}),
the root of which, when cooked, somewhat resembles the
oyster in taste; salsify; -- called also {vegetable
oyster}.
(b) A plant found on the seacoast of Northern Europe,
America and Asia ({Mertensia maritima}), the fresh
leaves of which have a strong flavor of oysters.
{Oyster plover}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Oyster catcher}, above.
{Oyster shell} (Zo["o]l.), the shell of an oyster.
{Oyster wench}, {Oyster wife}, {Oyster women}, a women who
deals in oysters.
{Pearl oyster}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Pearl}.
{Thorny oyster} (Zo["o]l.), any spiny marine shell of the
genus {Spondylus}.