154 FISH. 



shallow pools, called claires, where they arc fat- 

 tened for the market. The claires are established 

 on the banks of the Sendre, which, for the extent 

 of several miles, have been divided into shallow 

 flat ponds, by the erection of an infinity of low 

 banks of earth about a yard high, and from five 

 to six yards thick at their base, which are filled 

 with sea-water by the tide. The industrious 

 population of the region have created some 560 

 acres of these claires, and have devised methods 

 peculiar to themselves for improving the oysters 

 brought thither for ' ' education," the latter soon 

 increasing greatly in size, and acquiring with the 

 peculiar green tint which gives them their dis- 

 tinguishing name a flavour which is highly appre- 

 ciated by French " gourmets." But the first of 

 the great " model oyster-farms " which, under 

 the auspices of the government, are now begin- 

 ning to yield such excellent results, was com- 

 menced by M. Coste, in 1857, in the bay of St. 

 Briene. The water is there exceedingly deep, and 

 the violence of the wind and weather added 

 greatly to the difficulties of their novel attempt. 

 But all these obstacles have been successfully over- 

 come. The entire surface of the bottom of the 



