OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 573 



group, the rules and processes in use in the station vary 

 but little. To meet your wishes, I have endeavoured to 

 study more attentively some establishments which seemed 

 to me to present special interest, and which give an exact 

 idea of ostriculture as it is carried on at Arcachon. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OSTRICULTURAL UNION. 



The works of the Ostricultural Association, at the 

 head of which M. Venot is placed, are carried on in the 

 Basin of Arcachon over an area of 42 hectares, comprising, 

 on one hand, the concessions accorded under a title of 

 management, by the Administration of Marine, to the 

 Central Society for Aiding Shipwrecked Persons, and on 

 the other, certain grounds situated close to the lighthouse 

 and the pares of Les Jacquets. 



Le Ces is the place of natural reproduction ; it is an 

 emergent ground of 1 1 hectares, covered with vegetation 

 like a meadow. The soil, though tolerably firm, necessi- 

 tates, however, the use of broad pattens, to prevent the 

 treading in or breaking of the shells when walked on. The 

 oysters which it produces are called " native " or gravettes. 



The fishing of this oyster ground is done by squads of 

 l^n women placed in single file. Two leaders, placed at 

 the ends of the row, direct the march. The women are 

 separated a distance of i metre from one another, and are 

 provided with four satchels attached to their waists, in 

 which they put the oysters as they pick them up. Followers 

 detach their satchels when they are full, and empty them 

 into baskets. The oysters, which lie just at the margin of 

 the vegetation, are collected by means of a small rake. 



When the fishing is over, beacons are placed on the 

 square area where it has taken place, in order that, first, it 

 may not be fished over a second time ; and secondly, that 



