510 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



tested, and of the greatest importance as affecting the new 

 science, namely, that the oyster is capable of reproducing 

 itself on suitable banks (terrains emergents), and that it is 

 possible to obtain harvests of spat. 



On the strength of this discovery, M. de Bon himself 

 formed at St. Servan an experimental pare, literally a 

 natural laboratory, in which he commenced a series 'of 

 experiments on the means of attaching the spat. The 

 attempts were a complete success, as M. Coste was able to 

 prove and to announce in a report, dated 5th February, 

 1858, and inserted in the Moniteur of the 2 8th of June 

 following. M. de Bon invented some collecting apparatus, 

 and soon by way of complete demonstration sent a platform, 

 of his invention, covered with spat, to the Minister. This 

 was accompanied by a detailed report. 



I should here advert to the part taken by M. Coste, 

 professor in the College of France, at the cradle of the 

 new industry. Whilst surveying the coast under commis- 

 sion from the Emperor, who had directed him to make 

 experiments in maritime pisciculture, the illustrious em- 

 bryogenist visited St. Servan in the month of August, 

 1857. There he found the culture of the mollusc inaugu- 

 rated, and saw the decisive results which M. de Bon had 

 obtained, both for the re-stocking of the natural banks, 

 and for securing the spat. Here was the practical con- 

 firmation of his theories, and here, in many respects, the 

 discovery of the means of execution of which he was in 

 search. His lively imagination grasped with enthusiasm 

 the discoveries of M. de Bon ; to popularise it, he conse- 

 crated his high situation in the College of France, his 

 reputation and experience as a scientific man, and the 

 declared support of the head of the State. 



