482 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



the shores it was almost impossible to prevent it. In 1870 

 there was a complete wreck of the bottom, which could 

 only be remedied by a total prohibition of the fisheries for 

 several years. 



From the beds of the districts of Rochefort, Marennes, 

 and Oleron, there were taken in i853-'54, 10,000,000 

 oysters, and in i854-'55 15,000,000. On account of ex- 

 haustive fishing, in 1 863~'64 only 400,000 could be obtained. 



It was under these circumstances that M. Coste insti- 

 tuted that plan of oyster culture which was so much noticed 

 in the scientific journals of the time, and which has been 

 so successful since. At the instigation of the French 

 Government, the professor made a voyage of exploration 

 round the coasts of France and Italy, in order to inquire 

 into the condition of the sea fisheries which were, it was 

 thought, in a declining condition, and study how they could 

 be aided by artificial means, as the fresh-water fisheries 

 had already been aided through the re-discovery, by Joseph 

 Renny, of the long-forgotten art of pisciculture. Coming 

 to Lake Fusaro, the plan of the oyster-breeders there struck 

 M. Coste as being eminently practical, and suitable for 

 imitation. 



The mode of oyster-breeding at this place was from 

 ancient times, as now, to erect artificial pyramids of stones 

 in the water, surrounded by stakes of wood, in order to 

 intercept the spawn, the oysters being laid down on the 

 stones. Faggots of branches were also used for collecting 

 the spawn, which requires, within a few hours of its emis- 

 sion, to secure a speedy holding-on place, or be lost for 

 ever. M. Coste had one of the stakes pulled up, and was 

 gratified to find it covered with oysters of all ages and 

 sizes. 



