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These basins of dégorgement are also sometimes used 
for the purpose of educating the oyster in view of the 
prospective journey and subsequent sojourn in the market 
or the fishmonger’s shop. By emptying the basins 
periodically, and so accustoming the oysters gradually to 
stand exposure to air, they are taught to close their shells 
very accurately when taken out of the sea so as to be able 
to hold in the supply of water which lies around the gills, 
and upon which the animal is dependent for respiratory 
purposes. I am of opinion that the use of basins of 
dégorgement is a most important and necessary sanitary 
addition to successful oyster culture. 
It may be added that the men at Pointe le Chapus are of 
the same opinion as the Arcachon parqueurs viz., that 
the abundant deposit of spat this year is due to the hot 
summer. 
ILE D’OLERON. 
From Pointe le Chapus I crossed to Le Chateau on the 
island of Oléron where there are enormous mud flats 
extending a long way into the straits of Maumusson. 
There are numerous oyster parcs over these mud flats 
and extending all along the east and north sides of the 
island. The parqueurs buy very small oysters from 
Arcachon and lay them down to grow and fatten. After 
18 months or 2 years they sell them again at a consider- 
able profit. At low tides—especially at spring tides—the 
pares are very carefully worked over in order to ensure 
that the growing oysters are under favourable conditions 
and are not suffering from their enemies. 
In addition to this rearing of young Arcachon (or 
‘flat ’’) oysters, which they say at Oleron is a most suc- 
cessful and profitable industry, there has been a very 
considerable cultivation, especially during the last year or 
