756 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 
and fascines planted for the reception of the young were found, 
upon examination, to be literally covered with young oysters (Figs. 1. 
Fic. 2.—Shell of cardium covered with young oysters (natural size). 
and 2), and in such great abundance that Cancale and Granville, in 
the days of their greatest prosperity, never saw such a spectacle. One 
single fact will suffice to give some idea of the immense wealth thus 
created in a few months. Upon one single bundle of the twigs as 
many as twenty thousand young were counted; and as oysters sell 
at the fishing stations for 20 franes ($4) per thousand, this bundle 
promised for the future a return of 400 frances ($80). The experiment 
was decisive, and it only remained to have these teachings propagated 
and the people incited to similar efforts, not only at other points along 
the ocean coast, but in the British Channel and the Mediterranean. 
It was a noble and great undertaking, in which M. Coste had not failed. 
He soon had numerous imitators. In the Bay of Arcachon the possess- 
ors of parks and claires, or fattening and feeding places, were wise 
enough to transform them into breeding places, veritable hives, whence 
every year swarms of oysters issued forth into the sea, assuring to this 
coast, then nearly barren, a future revenue of from twelve to fifteen 
millions of delicious bivalves. 
By the efforts of government two model establishments were founded 
upon this bay, and one hundred and twelve persons, associated with the 
