[13] OYSTER CULTURE IN MORBIHAN. 955 
it follows that, whenever this equilibrium is disturbed, one or other of 
the forces we have described must come into play. If the rivers are 
dug out, the depth being increased, mud will be rapidly deposited un- 
til an equilibrium is again established between the actions of the two 
contending forces, one bringing in the alluvium, the other sweeping it 
out to sea. Then the deposition of mud will cease. If, on the other 
hand, liquid mud should be poured into the channel, causing a tempo- 
rary elevation of the bottom, the currents would naturally clear it out 
again, and in a short time the mud accidentally deposited there would 
be carried away, and the bottom cleaned. Finally, if fixed obstacles are 
placed in the river, eddies will be produced, and, consequently, a depo- 
sition of mud, of which it is easier to affirm the existence than determine 
the intensity and scope. From the very beginning of oyster culture in 
Morbihan, we have, therefore, encountered these two elements, the cur- 
rents and the deposit of mud, the actions of which are controlled by nat- 
ural laws, and to which the culturists have been obliged to submit. It 
is not without some hesitation and many experiments that these results 
have been attained. 
The difficulties met with and the failures and losses at the beginning, 
sometimes considerable, which have been sustained, all go to prove that 
one cannot, with impunity, oppose the action of natural phenomena. 
Whenever nature’s laws are violated, she knows how to avenge her- 
self, and it is, therefore, much better to submit to them and avert the 
danger. 
Dr. Henri Leroux, an excellent and intelligent observer, remarks as 
follows: ‘‘We reckon ourselves among the active partisans of science, 
but ask of it only the application of practical discoveries. We should 
consult science in order to ascertain the greatest advantages to be de- 
rived from our field of labor, but it is very dangerous to struggle against 
nature.” ’ 
Science and work, study and observation are required of all the cul- 
turists of the department of Morbihan. Now, that the importance of 
the currents and of the deposits of mud. are understood, we can appre- 
ciate the entire worth of our culturists, who have labored under great 
disadvantages from more than one point of view; but success has finally 
been attained, thanks to the persistent energy so characteristic of the 
Britons. 
AL Ze Labor omnia vincit 
_ The general character of a shore, with reference to breeding parks.—For 
the purposes of breeding, therefore, the culturists of Morbihan do not 
hesitate to establish themselves upon the muddy shores of the rivers 
Trinité or Auray. They know that, by the processes we are going to 
describe, they can collect a goodly number of young oysters. They seek 
to group themselves, as nearly as possible, in the neighborhood of nat- 
ural oyster banks, over which the marine authorities watch with a solici- 
tude, worthy of all praise. 
