676 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



Mediterranean oyster found at Narbonne, Port-de-Bouc, 

 Aigues-Mortes, in the enclosures of Leucate, as well as at 

 Tarente, and in the Adriatic at Brindisi and Venice. The 

 first is a small oyster, which lives isolated or in groups 

 attached to the rocks. It never forms, however, what is 

 known as an oyster-bed ; at least none are known on the 

 coasts of France and Italy. The shell is small, rough, and 

 irregular, seldom exceeding a large walnut in size. Its 

 interior is pearly and of a slightly greenish tint, and the 

 lower valve is very deep. This oyster is of an exceptionally 

 fine flavour, which causes it to be much sought for. It is 

 quite uncommon at Toulon. The second, if it were care-, 

 fully parked and cared for, would not, as regards fineness 

 and quality, be inferior to the best on our ocean coasts, 

 and might compare favourably with the oysters of any 

 region. The oysters of the pond of Leucate, the very rare 

 ones taken at Narbonne and in the vicinity of the islands 

 of Hyeres, with those of the roadstead of Toulon, are the 

 finest and best furnished by the Mediterranean. When 

 properly cared for in a pare they attain a size of from 10 to 

 12 centimeters (4 to 4.5- inches). The shell becomes light, 

 translucent, hard, and well enamelled on the inside ; it 

 emits a sound like crystal upon being struck. The lines of 

 growth are indicated on the exterior by slight and delicate 

 tubular folds. The oyster is well shaped, without being too 

 large or too fat, and its exquisite flavour has earned for it 

 a great reputation among the people of the south, a repu- 

 tation which would not be merely local if oyster culture 

 was in favour in the Mediterranean. Finally, I will add 

 that between the Quimper oyster, which is excellent and of 

 high repute, and the oyster of Toulon or Leucate, there 

 exists the greatest analogy. 



