712 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISIIERirS [10] 



to considerablo. distances by tlie currents vvitbont losing its vitality. 

 Often tbe spawn of tbese foreign oysters is transported IVdmi tbe Oironde 

 to La Kocbelle, wbere, baviug attacbed itself to any bard body with 

 wbicb it comes in contact, it grows, fattens, and reproduces. It origi- 

 nates from tbe natural bed, wbicb is formed not far from the Verdon, 

 upon the old bed of Richard or Goul6e, 9 miles from the mouth of the 

 Gironde. 



Only five or six years ago a vessel loaded with Portuguese oysters, in 

 danger of sinking, discharged its cargo in order to r«'pair damages. A 

 part of tbe oysters supposed to be dead were thrown over into tbe river. 

 Since that time these oysters have multiplied to such an extent, and the 

 bed has become so extensive, that tb^y dredge it without intermission 

 during tbe season when fishing is permitted, without exhausting it or 

 impairing its fertility. In fact, this oyster bed is a veritable fortune for 

 tbe fishermen of the region, who gather each year from it an abundant 

 and certain harvest. 



Arcachon. — Among tbe most important oyster stations along the 

 whole coast of France, Arcacbon is without a rival anywhere in the 

 number of oyster beds exploited, the value of tbe oyster-cultural estab- 

 lishments, and tbe extent of business to wbicb this industry gives rise. 



The immense extent of salt water which bears the name of the Bassin 

 d'Arcacbon is excavated in the midst of a sandy plain, and is in per- 

 manent communication with the Atlantic only by a narrow channel 

 opening. This little inland sea, into wbicb many rivulets pour their 

 fresh waters, so valuable an auxiliary in the cultivation of the oyster, is 

 subjected to tbe same fluctuations of level as the ocean. It is traversed 

 by currents wbicb cross it in all directions and keep up a continual ag- 

 itation. These currents circulate in channels of variable length, and of 

 a depth which sometimes reaches from 40 to 50 meters. Between these 

 channels are flats, known by the name of "crassais," which are laid bare 

 at each tide. Upon these flats, thickly covered with i)arcs and claires, 

 are established the most extensive oyster-cultural industries that are in 

 existence. 



The oyster industry at Arcacbon was not created "out of whole cloth." 

 It was called into existence by tbe presence of natural beds, to tbe num- 

 ber of nineteen, scattered through different parts of the bay. These 

 beds, after having, like the oyster beds of the channel, and from tbe 

 same causes, passed through a period of decay, which at one time ex- 

 cited an apprehension of their utter destruction, have revived, an<l are 

 to day of enormous fertility. The quantity of spawn which escapes, 

 mingling with tbe embryos furnished by tbe oysters preserved in tbe 

 ])arcs, is so very considerable that tbe mass of the waters of the bay 

 are filled with it from tbe month of June to tbe month of August. The 

 collectors are loaded with spat; and, upon tiles suitably placed, 1,000 

 or 1,500 individuals may sometimes be counted. If tbe whole generation 

 that each year sees born attained adult condition, tbe Bassin d'Arcacbon 

 would be soon insufficient to contain so prolific a population. 



