[41] OYSTER AND MUSSEL INDUSTRIES. 865 
which will there form experimental beds. These beds, protected from 
depredation by a rigid surveillance, will constitute the first step toward 
the further experiments which your majesty wi-bes to make in the salt 
lakes of Southern France. 
I am, with profound respect, sire, Your Maj.:;ty’s humble and very 
faithful servant, ; 
COSTE, 
Member of the Institute. 
2.—REPORT TO HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR ON THE ARTIFICIAL 
OYSTER BEDS CREATED IN THE BAY OF SAINT-BRIEUG. 
PARIS, January 12, 1859. 
StRE: Subsequent to the report in which, in February last,* I had the 
honor to submit conclusions for your acceptance, Your Majesty, desirous 
of testing the conclusions I had arrived at, and of ascertaining decis- 
ively whether the promises held out by science in regard to the cultiva- 
tion of marine products could be realized, ordered that the Gulf of Saint- 
Brieuc be made the theater of the first experiment at oyster culture 
by the government, executed by means of its vessels, confided to the 
keeping of its navy, and destined, in case of success, to serve as @ 
model for the creation along the coasts of France of a vast submarine 
industry, alike profitable in developing the navy and enhancing the 
prosperity of the coast inhabitants. 
The harbor selected for the accomplishment of this undertaking has 
a solid bottom, naturally clean, composed of shells or coral, thinly cov- 
ered with marl or mud, with scattered eel grass (pailleul), covering an 
.area of 12,000 hectares everywhere adapted to the sojourn of the parent 
oysters. The current, which at each tide sets from northwest to south- 
west and from southwest to northwest, at the rate of one league per 
hour, brings in fresh waters continually, carries off all unhealthy depos- 
its, and gains by rushing upon the rock-bound coast all the vivifying 
properties which such constant aeration communicates to it. 
The excellent bottom, the active nature of the limpid waters which 
cover ‘it, unite, then, over this immense submarine domain all the condi- 
tions favorable to the multiplication and development of this article of 
food, which I propose to introduce there, and the products of which we 
are endeavoring to transform into an inexhaustible annual harvest. 
But while in its work of intervention and conquest science recom- 
mended this as an enterprise of great public benefit, empiricism and old 
fogyism condemned it in advance as rash and visionary. It is only nec- 
essary, Sire, to recall the various obstacles which had to be overcome, 
and the amount of perseverance required for the realization of a scheme, 
the marvelous results of which I already have the honor to make known 
* See preceding report. 
S. Mis. 29-——55 
