OYSTER CULTURE IN ITALY. 683 



and Solminihac, at Belon, carried calcareous sand mixed 

 with clay to that part of their establishment where the 

 young oysters are to be quartered. Boxes, such as are 

 agreeable to the fry, ingeniously arranged, have been con- 

 structed to receive the young oysters and other valuable 

 shell-fish, whose small size would expose them to the attacks 

 of their enemies. If in the experiments made at Giens, 

 nothing conclusive has been decided as regards the oyster, 

 mussels have succeeded perfectly. They have grown very 

 large during the past year, and have multiplied in a large 

 proportion. Their spat was so abundant that it was found 

 attached in quantity to a net several hundred meters (a 

 meter is 3^ feet) from the breeding beds. The hurdles 

 surrounding the pare and the slates which served as col- 

 lectors were also well covered with them. 



Such is the result of the fortunate experiments made 

 by Messrs. Gasquet, in their marine establishment at Giens. 

 If, as it is to be hoped, shell-fish culture comes to take its 

 place among the new industries, to them will be due the 

 honour of having taken the initiative and of having marked 

 out the path to be followed. 



BERRE, CARONTE, THAU, LEUCATE, AND AGAY. 



In view of the large extent, 20,000 hectares (50,000 

 acres) of water known as Lake Berre, it is astonishing that 

 human industry has not yet taken possession of this little 

 sea, which, in many respects, is to the Mediterranean what 

 the basin of Arcachon is to the ocean. By its situation 

 and close proximity to large centres, which would afford a 

 market for its productions, and by the richness of its 

 marine fauna, Lake Berre \vould seem destined to occupy 

 an important place in fish culture. 



