3G4 THE OYSTER CULTURE OF THE ANCIENT ROMANS. 



oysters were evidently of a very rough make, to judge from the 

 iuequalities represented in Fig. 1. 



The structure of the framework is rather difficult to make out. The 

 drawings were apparently intended to show both the front elevation 

 and the top view of the framework. In the Borgiano vase (Fig. 2) the 

 framework is quite regular, and consists of four bars crossing five others 

 at right angles (cf. the sciaje of Taranto). At the intersection of the 

 bars a number of lines are drawn which may possibly represent either 

 pegs or cord lashings used to fix or tie the bars together. The 

 horizontal framework was supported by a number of vertical posts. Of 

 these four are represented, and between them are shown three ropes with 

 three oysters each. On the right-hand side is another similar rope of 

 oysters, and above it two bars crossing, which were probably used 

 to strengthen the fabric. 



On the Piombino vase (Fig. 1) the picture of the ostrearium 

 probably represents a similar view. The ostrearium lay between two 

 houses and under a bridge — an arrangement analogous to that of the 

 oyster cultivation of Lake Fusaro, accidentally shown in a photograph 

 taken by myself (Fig. 5). Here, too, the end of the bridge abuts on an 

 isolated building, the pleasure-house constructed by Ferdinand I. (not 

 shown in Fig. 5). The poles for the oysters may be seen projecting 

 above the water both beyond and under the bridge. In the Piombino 

 vase the cross-bars of the framework are not arranged with such 

 regularity as on the Borgiano vase. 



In conclusion, the object of the present communication is to 

 demonstrate that the only type of artificial oyster culture of the 

 ancient Romans, of which we have an adequate knowledge, was the 

 method of hanging rope culture, which still continues to exist at the 

 the same spot, viz. the Lucrine Lake and its neighbourhood, and in 

 an almost identical manner. Even the importation of oysters into the 

 Lucrine is similar. At the present time they are brought from Taranto. 

 In the days of the Romans, according to Pliny, they were imported 

 from Bruudusium. 



REFERENCES. 

 Ausonius, D. M. — Epistolae, ix. 30. 

 Belocb, J. — Camimnien. Breslaii. 1890. 

 Coste, P. — Voyage d'Exploration sur le Littoral de la France ct de I'ltalie. Dcnxieme 



Edition. Paris. 1861. 

 Maximus, C. Valerius. — Lib. ix. 1. 



Plinius, C. — Historia Naturalis. Lib. ix. 54 and 79 ; lib. xxxii. 21, 

 Rossi, G. B. de. — Topograjla delle spiarjrje di Baja (jrajjita sopra due vasi di vetro. 



Bulletino Archeologico Napolitano, n.s. L, No. 17, tav. ix. 1853. 

 Servius, M. — Commentarius in Verg. Georg. ii. IGl. 

 Sestini, D. — lllustrazione d\in vaso antico di vetro ritrovato in iin scpolcro piresso 



Vantica Populonia. Firenze. 1812. 



