ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS. 3 



imitated by the Eoman patricians, at their villas, on 

 the borders of the Gulfs of Baise and Naples ; and at 

 a later date, we have almost fabulous stories of the 

 cultivation of lampreys, and the prices realized by 

 red mullet of large size, and other fish. M. Jourdier 

 further adds a note, to the effect that this process 

 is carried on at the present time, in much the same 

 manner, on the rivers of the Basin of Arcachon, 

 "MM. Javal, Borsnere, and several large river pro- 

 prietors, having there immense reservoirs, whence 

 they and their farmers draw very large revenues." 

 This may have been very ingenious on the part of 

 Lucullus, and is no doubt profitable to MM. Javal 

 and Borsnere, but if they only supplied the market 

 with the spent fish, which are on their descent to the 

 sea, I do not respect the taste of the purchasers. 



Continuing his remarks upon the pisciculture of 

 the ancients, M. Jourdier speaks of the oysters of 

 Lake Lucrin, their cultivation having been originated 

 by Sergius Grata, in the time of Crassus. These 

 oysters were brought from Brindisi, and Sergius Grata 

 led the public to believe that the flavour of the 

 oysters was greatly improved by their residence in 

 Lake Lucrin. Hence they became shortly so popular, 

 that he covered Lake Lucrin with contrivances des- 

 tined for the breeding of oysters. The Lake of 

 B2 



