OYSTER CULTURE IN ITALY. 675 



had been neglected. Thus, when the oysters were immersed, 

 instead of being distributed and separated from one another, 

 they were piled up in thick layers in the parks. It is known 

 that the accumulation of too many individuals at one point 

 is disastrous, unless the conditions for aerating the water 

 are exceptionally favourable. The spawning oysters were 

 also exposed to many other dangers. First, their habitation 

 was soon invaded by mussels. This is by no means of rare 

 occurrence ; it takes place whenever the oyster and mussel 

 are brought too near together. In the next place, on 

 account of the difficulty of keeping the place of experiment 

 perfectly clean, owing to the absence of tides in the Medi- 

 terranean, the mud and sand, constantly kept in motion by 

 the currents, accumulated by turns, and the reproducing 

 oysters which suffered at the outset, as shown by the small 

 development which they acquired in their parks, finally 

 perished. It is the opinion that this experiment should 

 not be considered as decisive of what can be done in oyster 

 culture upon our southern shores. I think that if it were 

 tried again with the more certain methods now employed 

 the results would doubtless be encouraging. It is private 

 enterprise, however, that should take the initiative, for to 

 that in large part is due the great progress realized in the 

 ocean, and the creation of oyster culture in France. 



As I have before remarked, two varieties of oysters live 

 naturally in the roadstead of Toulon (c). First, there is 

 the Ostrep plicatula, which also occurs at Genoa, Naples, 

 and on the coast of Africa ; and, second, the common 



(c) It is pretty generally admitted that the oyster called the " Pied 

 de Cheval " does not constitute a distinct species. It is supposed to 

 be a common oyster that has grown old and large. 



W 2 



