OYSTEKS AND ACHEROX. 245 



food, and as an element of commerce, entire maritime 

 communities being dependent upon it for their prosperity. 

 And when we reflect on the impolicy of doing anything 

 which shall have the effect of turning away the inhabit- 

 ants of our sea-girt isle from maritime pursuits, the reck- 

 less destruction or partial development of any depart- 

 ment of our fisheries cannot be too much deprecated. 



But having to deal with the discreditable fact that 

 such destruction has already been carried to a disastrous 

 extent, we are necessitated to inquire whether science 

 indicates the means of speedily repairing such wanton 

 mischief. The Government of France, in the interest 

 of the national economy, has sedulously applied itself 

 to the solution of this important question, and in M. 

 Coste has found at once the intelligent interpreter of 

 its wishes, and the zealous agent in carrying out its 

 designs, or rather his own for this distinguished natu- 

 ralist seems to find the Imperial Government constantly 

 anxious to adopt his piscicultural projects. 



We have described the singular fishing community 

 of Comacchio. Being desirous now to initiate our read- 

 ers into the mysteries of ostreo-culture, we pray them 

 to accompany us to the shores of the lovely Bay of 

 Naples, near which are the lakes Lucrinus and Aver- 

 nus, the latter of which, in ancient mythology, was the 

 entrance to hell. About the seventh century the in- 

 fernal deities were dispossessed of their accustomed 

 haunts, and fled before advancing civilisation. The 

 shaggy woods which cast their shadows on these dis- 

 mal lakes were felled ; a subterranean road (the Grotto 

 of the Sybil) was constructed between Lake Avernus 

 and the town of Cumse, and piles of splendid buildings 

 replaced these sombre thickets. Baiae, with its deli- 

 cious climate and azure sea, and warm baths of various 

 mineral ingredients, became the favourite resort of the 

 luxurious nobles of Eome. Among those who contri- 

 buted to the gratification of their fastidious appetites 

 was Sergius Grata, a wealthy man, of good parts and 



