572 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



at the present time exhibit extraordinary fertility. The 

 torrent of spat which escapes from them, mingling with 

 the embryos which the oysters preserved in the pares 

 furnish, is so considerable, that the mass of the waters in 

 the basin remains impregnated with it from the month of 

 June until the month of August ; the collectors are covered 

 with germs, and on well-placed tiles one may sometimes 

 count 1000 or 1500. If all the progeny of each year 

 attained to maturity, the Basin of Arcachon would soon be 

 too small to contain so prolific a population. 



Although these natural depots are looked upon as' 

 centres of reproduction, and as such are husbanded and 

 watched by the Administration of Marine, yet every year 

 fishing is authorised there for some hours, to carry off the 

 excess of production. In this short space of time great 

 quantities of oysters are collected and delivered for sale, or 

 spread in the pares. The oyster so produced, called also 

 " native " or gravette oyster, is much in demand. It is 

 distinguished by its marked form and light shell from the 

 oyster of the channels, which is less pleasing to the eye, 

 and of a thicker shell and less delicate flavour. 



Arcachon possesses this advantage above all other 

 ostricultural centres, namely, that the mollusc is from first 

 to last reared there. There it is produced, grows, fattens, 

 and passes directly into the hands of the retailer. 



A description of the Arcachon Basin would require 

 considerable time and attention to render it complete. 

 It would be difficult for me, in this summary report, to pass 

 in review all the industrial works which have been established 

 there. Their number is too considerable, and their 

 description would go beyond what you intended, M. le 

 Ministre ; its monotony would be fatiguing, for in the 

 greater number of concessions, belonging to the same 



