952 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [10] 
is very limited. In a single drop of water its vibratile cilia cause it to 
move freely about in all directions, but it has not the power to stem a 
current, nor to swim far in a perfectly quiet sea. It is the current alone 
that transports it, preserves it, and places within its reach everything 
essential to its growth and existence, and it is the current alone that 
enables it to become readily attached to the collectors. “I feel certain,” 
says M. Chaumel “ that the organs of locomotion serve, at the same time, 
as organs of respiration, sight, and hearing, by means of which the em- 
bryo is able. to find a suitable place for its attachment.” 
It is evident, therefore, that, if the idea of breeding oysters in a closed 
area must be abandoned, it is because the parent oyster, from the Jack 
of a current, gives issue to imperfect offspring. The embryo, also with- 
out the means of moving about, is exhausted from the time of its 
birth, and generally falls to the bottom, where it perishes within sight 
of the collectors. These conclusions only apply to inclosures of medium 
size, having a superficial area ranging from 1 to 2 hectares (24 to 5 acres). 
In more extensive basins, of 15 to 20 hectares (37 to 50 acres) each, 
special phenomena come into play, producing changes both at the bot- 
tom and at the surface, in the former case by the renewal of the water, 
and in the latter by the action of the wind, permitting to a certain ex- 
tent more favorable results. 
Taking everything into consideration, however, it is now admitted, at 
Morbihan, to be preferable to entirely renounce both the small and large 
inclosures, and depend upon the natural movements of the water, in the 
channels, coves, and rivers. This plan is the most economical one and 
the results are more certain. 
We cannot do better than quote, in this connection, the remarks of M. 
Chaumel, who is one of the best authorities on the subject. “TI regret,” 
he says, in speaking of the works established in the river Trinité, to 
see such extensive reservoirs, built at so great an expense, in which it is 
expected breeding can be successfully carried on. I know full well that it 
has been found possible in some places to collect embryo oysters in arti- 
ficial basins, and an example is cited where shells, thrown upon the bot- 
tom, have become covered over with young oysters. I am, therefore, con- 
vinced that I was mistaken in what I had all along held to be the case, 
that the shells were really covered with the young, without its being 
noticed, before they were placed in the basins. The temperature of the 
water in these narrow basins, under the action of the sun’s rays, attains 
that of a warm bath, and must, at least, present a serious obstacle to the 
operation of breeding. _ Reservoirs for the breeding of the young and 
walled parks are fundimentally wrong in principle. It is necessary to 
avoid placing any obstructions in the way of the currents, which are 
very essential to success.” 
The muddy deposits of the shores of the Department of Morbihan.—The 
currents, So important and so necessary to the life of the oysters, carry 
along with them, what is considered by many culturists a very destruc- 
