OYSTERS OF LAKE FUSARO. 275 



valve often forms a beak of considerable length as the animal 

 increases in age. An oyster is not fit for table until it is a 

 year and a half old. 



HENRIETTA. 



But what are the green oysters'? 



ESTHER. 



The green oysters which we see at Paris are, I believe, 

 chiefly from Rochfort, and it is supposed that the marine 

 plants upon which they feed, the growth of which is favored 

 by the tranquillity of the water in the oyster banks or pits, 

 stain them of this hue. The most celebrated French oyster 

 pits are at Ostend; the English at Milton and Colchester; 

 and the Romans used to send to Sandwich for their oysters, 

 as they did to Minturnae for their shrimps, and to Alexandria 

 for their prawns. 



HENRIETTA. 



What epicures! 



ESTHER. 



I have heard mamma describe the oyster beds in the lake 

 of Fusaro. 



HENRIETTA. 



Where is that 1 ? 



ESTHER. 



It is near Naples, not far from Cuma; and, according to 

 the ingenious theory of a learned Italian, it is the Acherusian 

 shore where ^Eneas found Charon and his boat. This lake 

 communicates with the sea, and is now one vast oyster bed, 

 which entirely supplies Naples with oysters. It is the 

 property of the king, who lets it out on leases of six years, 

 for seven thousand ducats (about 1400/). The lake is shal- 

 low, and the oysters are distinctly seen at the bottom; a 

 quantity of canes are placed in the water, and the oysters 

 which adhere to them are considered the best, and are re- 

 served exclusively for the king. In the same lake mamma 



