584 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



This course, entrusted to M. Brocchi, teacher of 

 zoology at the National Agricultural Institution, was in- 

 augurated on the 5th of September, and has been continued 

 during one month. 



Independently of oral instruction, M. Brocchi is 

 charged with the duty of making researches in connection 

 with the important questions to be dealt with in the course. 

 He has just addressed to the Minister his first report upon 

 the observations made by him, and upon the actual 

 condition of oyster-culture which is subjoined. 



Paris, joth Oct., 1881. 

 Monsieur le Ministre, 



The preparation for the course of oyster-culture, which 

 you have been so good as to entrust to me, has led me to 

 visit the principal centres of oyster-culture in France. 



I feel it my duty to render you an account of what I 

 have had an opportunity of observing during my trip, and 

 to lay before you the actual state of oyster-culture in our 

 country. 



This industry, which is so new and so essentially 

 French, has made rapid strides. 



It is not for me now to give the history of oyster- 

 culture ; but suffice to say, its origin is of recent date. In 

 fact, it was not till after the publications and the experi- 

 ments of M. Coste (1856-1858) that the attention of the 

 inhabitants of our coasts was attracted to the possibility of 

 rearing oysters artificially. 



These experiments, to which the State devoted 

 considerable sums, produced great effect. 



M. Coste, with an enthusiasm, perhaps somewhat 

 exaggerated, but productive of definite and happy results, 

 .announced that a new source of wealth was opened up to 

 France. 



