[53] OYSTER CULTURE IN MORBIHAN. 995 
active watchfulness and attentive care. In fine, we will add that maraud- 
ing should be severely repressed. 
In America, where centralization is little known, and where almost 
every one protects himself, we have a remarkable example. 
In Rhode Island, oyster thefts are punished by fines, varying from 
$24 to $120, accompanied by imprisonment, sometimes for a year. 
In Connecticut the fine amounts to $72, with imprisonment for six 
months, and in the other States the laws are also severe. 
CONCLUSION. 
In a word, to study and reclaim transformable surfaces; to give con- 
cessions for a long term, with acquired rights for the retainers; to ex- 
tend the liberty of culturists, and to enact severe police measures; such 
is the conclusion of our studies upon the part to be undertaken by the 
state in the matter of oyster culture. 
The culturists will do the rest; in this respect, the past guarantees 
the future; their courage and energy will place oyster culture foremost 
among French industries. 
In conclusion, may we be allowed to state how happy we have been 
to find all our culturists rendering to Coste the honor which is due him; 
all confer on him the glory of being the founder of oyster culture. 
“Tet us proclaim it aloud,” says Dr. Kemmerer, “because it is true: 
the academician, Coste, was the founder of this new science.” 
“JT know that certain minds, filled with jealousy, dispute with his 
searcely cold ashes these first scientific attempts; but his writings, as 
well as those of all the oyster culturists of the time, exist to cast ridicule 
upon these posthumous inventors.” 
To this ery of indignation, we add the touching words of M. Chaumel: 
“Tn coneluding, may I be allowed a souvenir of affection and gratitude 
to M. Coste, the learned professor of embryology, to whom oyster culture 
owes everything; for, without him, of that which occupies us here there 
would be absolutely nothing. 
“After having trodden for many years a path bestrewn with thorns, 
leaning upon my arm, his failing eyes often caught a glimpse of the 
laurels of the promised land, though he died in sorrow. If, more for- 
tunate than my dear master, it pleases God that I have the honor to 
gather them, it will be both sweet and pleasing for me to lay them upon 
his tomb.” 
We have been pleased to hear this touching unanimity, which should 
be noted, for our age has given birth to critics, whose sight is easily 
dazed by glory. It would seem as if they tried to measure everything 
by their own proportions. But our culturists of Brittany have escaped 
this contagion. As, for what is solid and true, they have ever had an 
unvarying devotion, and a fidelity, which is the eternal honor of their 
race, they have proclaimed their admiration for Coste, gloried in humbly 
acknowledging themselves to be the disciples of the master, feeling that, 
if gratitude be a duty, it is also a noble quality. 
