OYSTER CULTURE IN ENGLAND. 381 



Richard-bed. Having found in the Gironde a soil nearly 

 identical with that which they came from, and conditions 

 favourable to their propagation, the oysters multiplied in 

 such proportions that from the Point de Grave to the above 

 Richard-bed, an extent of thirty kilometres, they form one 

 vast bed. 



The taste and flavour are very different to that of our 

 native oysters ; but, that its healthful alimental qualities 

 make it none the less appreciated, is proved by the large 

 consumption thereof both in England and France. It 

 delights in muddy and brackish waters, and is suitable for 

 sending long distances, as the lower shell is deep and 

 holds much water. M. Paul Fischer says that it belongs 

 essentially to the Littoral Zone, and is uncovered at each 

 tide, and everywhere distributed where limpets are found. 

 (f) The first importation of ostrea angulata to the Ar- 

 cachon-beds from Lisbon was in 1866. 



" In the Bay of Cadiz Ostrea Virginica (or Ostrea 

 angulata ?} is eaten when very small, but the poor people 

 eat it full-size, viz, ten inches long. This species lives in 

 the salt mud of the Guadalete, and is called Ostione ; 

 others oysters are called Ostrea or Ostrias, and Ostrea 

 edulis is known by the name of Ostia blanca. The river is 

 said to be salt three leagues from its mouth. 



A Frenchman at Puerto de Sta Maria, tried the experi- 

 ment of breeding oysters for the Madrid market, but they 

 were slimy, and not to be compared with the English 

 oysters, though they were said to be good when cooked ; 

 and Major Byng Hall stated that at Madrid, oysters not 

 fine ones cost twopence halfpenny (that is, I suppose, one 

 real) each; but this is not very remarkable, for in 1865 



(/) "Journal de Conch yliologie, '* 3ieme Serie, tome 20, No I, 1880. 



