OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 555 



natural oyster-banks are found. He has had every reason 

 to congratulate himself on the steps he has taken. In the 

 first year (1875) the results were marvellous ; this year they 

 surpass all expectations. It is by means of the 40-hectare 

 pond, and of the flood-gate at the end opposite to the 

 pond, that perpetual circulation is kept up in the waters of 

 the pare. 



One of these preserve-basins is in part concreted, and 

 this is the one in which the oysters are laid during the 

 winter, to allow of their growing thicker. This arrange- 

 ment, which would doubtless be of little advantage in a 

 small establishment, has been rendered necessary by the 

 presence at the bottom of these salt-marshes of vegetable 

 matter in decomposition. 



This pare measures 2 hectares ; it is divided into five 

 parallel receptacles, 200 metres long by 15 broad, each 

 furnished with a sluice-gate in direct communication with 

 the pond. It is with a view of keeping up the whole force 

 of the current that M. Pozzi has established this division ; 

 without this precaution, if the water were brought in by 

 only one opening, the current would be dissipated in this 

 immense area of 2 hectares, and neither the oysters on the 

 sides nor those at the bottom would be benefited by its 

 influence. 



As may be seen, M. Pozzi follows up the principle 

 with which he has started. 



In organising submersible basins he has been guided 

 by the same principles. These basins are cut in the rock, 

 and surrounded by walls of cemented stone 60 to 80 centi- 

 metres thick, and 80 centimetres high, reckoning from the 

 level ground, and are situated at the end of a sort of little 

 isthmus very near the work buildings. They are about 

 equal in size, and measure together 50 metres in length by 



