OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 539 



BELON, NEAR QUIMPER. 



The establishment created by MM. de Mauduit and 

 de Solminihac in the River of Belon is one of the most 

 interesting of those I have visited in the course of my 

 mission. 



This concession comprises about five hectares. On 

 one side it extends along the right bank, and includes on 

 the other a vast estuary in the shape of a horseshoe. 



I have rarely met with oysters artificially raised, or 

 even oysters caught on the banks, so beautifully shaped, or 

 of so exquisite a taste. The shell is fine, thin, transparent, 

 hard, and well-pearled in the interior. It shows on the 

 outside marked but delicate indentations, a characteristic 

 indication of a vigorous growth as well as of the perfect 

 health of the oyster which it encloses. There are many 

 reasons which insure to the establishment at Belon the 

 highest pre-eminence, quite apart from the actual value of 

 its productions. They are simultaneously owing to the 

 exceptional situation of the establishment, to the favour- 

 able nature of the soil, to the influence of the currents, to 

 the composition of the waters, and to the exceptional and 

 enlightened care which is unremittingly bestowed upon the 

 young oysters. 



Four kilometres from the common mouth of the River 

 of Font-Avon and of that of Belon, the pares of MM. de 

 Mauduit and de Solminihac are constantly being washed 

 by the waters of the ocean, which become aerated by 

 breaking against the rocks which skirt this wild and pic- 

 turesque coast. Their situation presents the same advan- 

 tageous conditions as the ground in the open sea, where 

 the natural oyster-beds lie ; further, they are sheltered from 

 storms. 



