358 



THE OCEAN WORLD. 



and each limb diverging at an angle of 45". These posts were 

 driven about a yard asunder ; they were about twelve feet long, six 

 feet being above water, and interlaced with branches wattled together, 

 so as to form continuous hurdles, each about 200 yards long, which 

 are called bouchots. By the assistance of this apparatus, which 

 intercepted spat which would otherwise have been swept away to sea 



Fig. 158. — Punt or Pirogue of the Marsh. 



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 submerged, 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 nc'ghbours along the shore were not 

 slow to imitate his example. In a short time the whole bay was 



