336 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



the tiles coated with lime placed around it; but we did not consider the 

 poachers, who, profiting by the cover of the night, destroyed and broke 

 up our tiles and apparatus. 



It did not seem worth while to repeat our experiments, seeing that 

 the spawning season was already well advanced when the foregoing 

 occurred. We no longer doubt, after what we have seen and the experi- 

 ence which we had in these matters, that the oyster will soon be propa- 

 gated in the waters of the Mediterranean by the method employed by 

 us. In regard to rearing, we have remarked that the Portuguese oyster 

 adapts itself very readily to the waters of our southern coasts; but we 

 have not noted with exactitude the rate of their growth, having pro- 

 tected our stock in a cage, a mode of culture which would appear 

 adapted to these shores, where those deadly enemies of the oyster, the 

 boring whelks, are found in multitudes. 



Our conclusion it is easy to foresee. In conformity with what has 

 been stated, we must acknowledge that the oyster industry may be 

 developed and prosper on the French coasts of the Mediterranean. 



We cannot close this report without considering the mollusk which 

 has been under discussion in respect to its edible and commercial qual- 

 ities. We know, however, that this species of oyster has its detractors. 

 At one time these had reached the point of demanding its total exter- 

 mination. The pretext was, as we have said, the pretended danger 

 that it would interbreed with and affect the purity of our native oyster, 

 but the true reason was the fear that it would replace the French 

 oyster in the esteem of the consumers; in a word, it was a rival. We 

 have shown what justice there was in this pretext. As to the real rea- 

 son, that has no foundation. Has the sale and exportation of the indig- 

 enous oyster (designating by that name the flat oyster [0. edulis], for 

 the oyster of the Tagus may now also be considered indigenous) dimin- 

 ished since the appearance of its rival ? This does not appear to be 

 the fact. Have our ostracultural establishments been encumbered by 

 products which they could not dispose of? Not at all. The business 

 is perhaps now less remunerative than formerly, because the number 

 of dealers and producers is much greater; but all of the oysters that 

 are reared or gathered are sold either in France or to other countries; 

 and it is the same with the celebrated establishments, which find it im- 

 possible to supply the demand made upon them from all sides. 



If the Portuguese oyster becomes the object of an important trade, and 

 if it now contributes largely to the public food-supply, it will not be to 

 the detriment of our native species. Because, relatively abundant, it 

 is better known, and, because of its cheapness, it is procurable by those 

 of slender means. These are the causes which make for it many parti- 

 sans. Moreover, would the reasons urged justify the interdiction of 

 what is to-day an important ostracultural industry? Is it necessary to 

 reduce to misery, on account of some particular dissatisfied interests, 



