530 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



The pare which the administration has set apart for 

 these experiments measures 40 metres in length by as 

 much in breadth. The side looking to the sea and the 

 corresponding side are quite open, in order that the waves 

 bringing the embryos may circulate freely inside ; the two 

 other sides are defended by palisades. Tiles arranged in 

 hives (ruches), fascines of birch tree, and schistous stones, 

 have been employed as collectors. The brood has adhered 

 pretty freely, but in winter the sea, driven by the strength 

 of the currents, has detached from the collectors a large 

 portion of the young oysters, which had fastened on them. 

 The object of the administration, which wished to prove 

 that the spat was as abundant at Cancale as at Le Vivier, 

 and that it was possible to collect it, has been attained ; 

 private enterprise will do the rest. 



It is needless to say that the measures of surveillance 

 taken by the marine for the preservation of our banks, 

 shelter at the same time the pares from the cupidity of 

 marauders. Besides the ordinary police trained by the 

 agents of the administration, seven guards paid from the 

 funds of the treasury belonging to the layings, two general 

 guards, to which the treasury of the community of fishers 

 allows something, and four sworn guards nominated and 

 paid by the marine, are employed upon this watch. 



I should also mention that a syndical commission, 

 composed of the commissaire of the inscription maritime as 

 president, the mayor of Cancale, the inspector of fisheries, 

 the syndic of the seafaring people, the treasurer of the 

 community of fishermen, a park guard, and a guard of lay- 

 ings, fixes each year the rating to be paid by the conces- 

 sionaires of the pares and layings, the sum of which goes 

 to cover the common expenses of working, such as allow- 

 ance to guards, maintenance of roads, channels, &c. 



