358 Professor Huxley on Oi/sters and the Oyster Question. [May 11, 



could be adopted was to abolish all the delusive and vexatious reguhi- 

 tious which were in force ; and to see what coukl be done by giving 

 such rights of property in parts of oui* shores favourable to oyster 

 culture, as would encourage competent persons to invest their money 

 in that undertaking. 



[In the latter part of the discourse Professor Huxley commented 

 on the results derived from Eeports on the Oyster Fisheries, especially 

 in the Bay of Caucale and the Bay of x\rcachon, pointing out the 

 uncertainty which has attended oyster culture and the inefficiency of 

 such restrictive legislation as has hitherto been adopted.] 



I for my part believe that the only hope for the oyster consumer 

 lies first in ovstcr culture, and secondly, in discovering a means of 

 breeding oysters under such conditions that the spat shall be safely 

 deposited. And I have no doubt that when those who undertake the 

 business are provided with a proper knowledge of the conditions 

 under which they have to work, both these objects will be attained. 



[T. "H. H.] 



