OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 585 



The experiments, conducted simultaneously in the 

 Ocean and the Mediterranean, proved for the most part 

 failures. 



On the other hand, and this has been too much over- 

 looked, the experiments in the basin of Arcachon were 

 crowned with success. 



Since then the stimulus has been given, and the 

 industry of oyster-culture has not failed to make rapid 

 progress. 



Oyster-culture comprises two very distinct branches ; 

 one being production, the other, rearing and fattening. 



Production aims at the collection of the embryo oysters, 

 and in this way saves a vast number which but for the 

 intervention of man would be lost. 



It is well known that at the moment of its birth the 

 young oyster is provided with locomotive powers, enabling 

 it to swim in the midst of the sea. 



After drifting for some time, the young oyster fixes 

 itself on some extraneous body, loses for ever its locomotive 

 organs, and becomes the mollusc so well known. 



But these embryo oysters cannot fix themselves 

 indifferently upon any bodies coming within range. 



These bodies must be sufficiently smooth and clean. 

 It happens, therefore, that in the natural course of things, 

 a great quantity of these minute beings, the spat, not 

 finding any objects to which to become attached, falls to 

 the bottom of the sea and perishes. Indeed, that portion 

 which has become attached under favourable circumstances 

 is for a long period exposed to many dangers. 



With the view of obviating these inconveniences, the 

 oyster-culturists lay down in the vicinity of natural beds 

 different bodies, designated by the name of collectors, 

 which are intended to collect and preserve the spat. 



