550 'OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



Other rearers in this locality have a peculiar system of 

 separation. Instead of merely detaching the spat, they 

 break the part of the tile to which it adheres. 



This method has for its object the dispensing with the 

 employment of oyster-cases : ist, because the young oyster, 

 being protected by this second defence, cannot easily 

 become the prey of its enemies ; 2nd, because the fragment 

 of tile adhering to the shell increases the weight of the 

 oyster, and allows of its being laid in open pares without 

 being liable to be carried off by currents. 



I must also mention the fine basins belonging to MM. 

 Leroux, constructed in full stream and capable of submer- 

 sion, in which the oysters can be kept till of full age ; those 

 of M. Martin, and the splendid establishment of the Baron 

 de Wolbock. I must not forget the pares belonging to the 

 Association of Sea Fishermen of La Trinite. In 1869 the 

 Administration of Marine, with a view of favouring the 

 development of that branch of ostriculture, which has for 

 its object the gathering of spat, distributed to this associa- 

 tion, as well as to other seamen, concessionnaires of pares who 

 worked on their own account, 150,000 tiles in all. The 

 association prospers, and its commercial importance ad- 

 vances in proportion to its growing success. 



The River of Saint-Philibert, between Auray and 

 Crach, the River of Vannes (of which I shall shortly speak), 

 the inland sea of Morbihan, are places fitted for rearing 

 and parcing the oyster. It will be enough for me to refer 

 to the establishments of the Society of Saint-Anne, of 

 MM. Eden and Fardin at Peningtoul, of M. Pozzi, and of 

 M. Leclaire, which are in full activity. 



What then is the actual state of ostriculture in the 

 district of Auray ? I can say, without fear of contradiction, 

 that it is in a thriving condition. One thing alone is 



