[21] OYSTER AND MUSSEL INDUSTRIES. 845 
ing the bed of the Bay of Seudre, and obstructing the channels of the 
saline marshes, in order to make oyster beds. The means they em- 
ploy to accomplish this end is both simple and ingenious. They cut 
bundles of grass and transport them in boats to the localities selected ; 
then, at low tide, they arrange them in such a manner as to form small 
dams. Now it is known that the water of the Bay of Seudre contains 
mud, and in such great quantity that each tide deposits many millimeters 
of it on the ground which it covers. Ordinarily this mud, stirred up con- 
tinually by the water, would be carried out again by the receding tide, 
but being prevented by the dams, it settles, remains where it falls, and 
the bottom soon becomes sufficiently raised to receive the oysters. In 
this way dry land will often be seen where a short time previously there 
was several feet of water. 
“Thanks to the watchfulness of the authorities, these culpable 
encroachments are to-day exceedingly rare, and will no doubt cease 
entirely. Then it will only be necessary to encourage and protect an 
industrious population, who have learned oyster culture in general, and 
they will find profit in the marshes which are otherwise in great part 
useless.” 
These details I have thought of sufficient importance to mention, in 
order to give an idea of the methods of the industry of Marennes and of 
the means which might contribute to its perfection. The manuscript 
of M. Robert, and the good offices of M. Ackermann, commissioner of 
marine of that locality, were of great assistance to me, and I am happy 
to express my gratitude to the author and the officer. I also owe to 
M. Chabot, manager of the establishment for fish culture at Huningue, 
many thanks for information furnished while accompanying me in this 
investigation. 
C.—MUSSEL WEIRS (BOUCHOTS*) OF THE BAY OF AITI- 
GUILLON. 
The majority of persons who partake of the fine mussels which are 
daily served upon their tables suppose that they, like the oysters, come 
from natural beds. They do not know by what skill human industry 
gives to this mollusk, raised by its care, the size and the flavor which 
render it so far preferable to the poor, little, acrid mussel, frequently 
unwholesome and infested by a repulsive crustacean, with which the 
rocks and mud of our coasts are inhabited. Few authors having treated 
upon this subject, t it will be useful to describe here the processes and 
*A word formed by contraction from boutchoat, an expression derived from a mixture 
of Celtic and Irish, and signifying a wooden inclosure: bout, inclosure, and choat or 
chot, of wood. 
+The work containing the best details of the origin and processes of this curious in- 
dustry bears the date of the year 1598, and has for its title, Thédtre des merveilles de Vin- 
dustrie humaine, par D. T. V. T., gentilhomme ordinaire de la chambre du Roi, Rouen, 
