348 



THE OCEAN WORLD. 



for in every instance lie has given to the apparatus which he invented 

 the form of his initial letter W. After due consideration, Walton 

 began to carry out his design. He planted a long range of piles 

 along the low marshy shore, each pair forming a letter Y, the front of 

 the letter being towards the sea, and each limb diverging at an angle of 

 forty-five degrees. These posts were driven about a yard asunder ; they 

 were about twelve feet long, six feet being above water, and interlaced 



Fig. 159. Punt or Pirogue of the Marsh. 



with branches wattled together, so as to form continuous hurdles, 

 each about two hundred yards long, which are called louchots. By 

 the assistance of this apparatus, which intercepted spat which would 

 otherwise have been swept away to sea by the tide, Walton formed a 

 magnificent collection of mussels ; but he did not abandon his isolated 

 piles. These, being without fascines or branches, and always sub- 

 merged, arrested the spat at the moment of emission." 



The advantages of this system of culture adopted by the Irish exile 

 were so obvious that his neighbours along the shore were not slow to 



