OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 545 



placed in it. These are anomalies which may be explained 

 by the larger or smaller amount of food which emanates 

 directly from the soil, and by numerous oozings of fresh 

 water into the pare where the development of the mollusc 

 is so marked. 



MM. Charles sold, in 1875, 5,500,000 oysters, of which 

 2,500,000 were fit for consumption. The spat which is 

 reared comes from Auray, and I will add that they produce 

 in the basins of Lorient specimens which are distinguished 

 by the delicacy of their taste, and by the fineness and 

 lightness of their shells. I have seen a great number of 

 them that yield in no respect to the oysters of Ostend. 



Auray and La Trinite are, with Arcachon, the most 

 important oyster centres on our coast. Reproduction is 

 the great object at these places. The oyster-bed in the 

 River of Auray is no less than three leagues in length ; it 

 extends from the mill of Poulben and from the chapel of 

 St. Avoy, as far as the canal of Coat-Courzo, and forms an 

 uninterrupted chain of banks, occupying an area of more 

 than 300 hectares. 



In the neighbouring River of La Trinite", which is also 

 called the River of Crach, are likewise found numerous 

 oyster-banks, but of less extent. 



Ostriculture in this part of Morbihan dates back a 

 dozen years. The development which has taken place 

 must not be attributed solely to private enterprise. Govern- 

 ment has had a considerable share in it. The application 

 of legislative measures met with much hostility from the 

 fishermen, but the first thing to be taken into considera- 

 tion was, naturally, the preservation of the beds, which 

 were being pillaged without restraint and without discre- 

 tion. What would have become of the oyster industry at 

 Auray and at La Trinite if those banks which, at the present 



