[17] THE OYSTER AND OYSTER-CULTURE. 699 
there was enough suitable material already spread out about the mother 
oysters. 
_ This experiment at Saint-Brieue was considered to completely demon- 
' strate the possibility of artificial oyster-breeding. It was believed by 
many that the whole coast of France might be bordered with oyster- 
beds, and they began already to reckon, according to the market-price 
. of oysters at that time, which was 20 franes per thousand, how many 
millions of francs would be the result of this sea-harvest. Capitalists 
hastened to form companies for the purpose of engaging in the business, 
and obtain from the government the right to lay down oyster-beds upon 
‘certain definite portions of sea-bottom along the coast. But in nota 
single case were the rich earnings which had been reckoned upon before- 
hand as resulting from 
the sale of marketable 
oysters ever realized; 
and not only this, but 
the money which had 
been paid for the prep- 
aration of the ground 
and the purchase and 
transportation of 
Fig. 8. breeding oysters from 
Outline figures of young oysters, natural size.—a. About natural beds gave no 
one month old. b, About two months old. c. About four returns, and for the 
months old. d. From twelve to fifteen months old. most part proved an 
entire loss. The young oysters were nearly all covered up by sand or 
mud, or eaten by other sea-animals. This explains why, in the year 1869, 
I found in the Bay of Saint-Brieue nothing remaining of the beds which 
had been thus artificially formed in 1858. The bottom of the bay had 
become unsuitable fer the growth of oysters because of the wide-spread 
distribution of sand and the changes which it was constantly undergoing. 
At the present time the extensive propagation of oysters by this 
method of breeding is carried on with success only in certain places along 
the French coast where the natural conditions are especially favorable. 
The Bay of Arcachon, south of Bordeaux, is one of the favored places. 
There, as I myself have observed, the soil and the saltness of the water 
are very similar to that of our sea-flats. We find there wide-spread 
shallow sand and mud banks which are covered with vast numbers of 
bivalve-shells. These banks are left dry by the ebb-tide, and between 
them are deep channels through which the water at ebb and flood tide 
flow out and in. In places which remain always under water natural 
oyster-beds are found, and at other places longer stretches along the 
soft, bare slopes of the water-courses are made use of as breeding-beds. 
Here mother oysters from natural beds are planted, and among them, 
towards the end of May, are placed old shells and tiles with @ covering 
easily detached, as objects of attachment for the young broods. 
