OSTREA. EDULISj OR COMMON OYSTER. 155 



bay forming the piscicultural farm is covered with 

 fascines composed of branches of trees strongly 

 lashed together, and held down by heavy stones ; 

 between these fascines the bed of the sea is 

 paved with oyster and mussel shells, pieces of 

 rock, tiles, and fragments of pottery destined to 

 attract the spawn, and afford to the young oysters 

 a surface suitable to their development. The suc- 

 cess of the experiment at St. Briene has led to 

 the foundation of similar " fish farms " at Arca- 

 chon, the Isle do Re, and in the roadstead of 

 Toulon, all of which are being cultivated with un- 

 remitting care, and promise, according to the 

 reports of the periodical inspection to which they 

 are subjected by the agents of the government 

 and by those of the Society of Acclimation, to in- 

 augurate a new era in the annals of fish markets, 

 and to create a new and merchantable source of 

 national wealth. 



The last investigation into the state of the 

 oyster beds of St. Bricnc, carried on by the 

 members of the council general of the department, 

 under the direction of the captains of the 

 Chamois, Pluvicr, and Evicl, of the French navy, 

 placed by the government at the disposition 



