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 douchots. 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 neighbours along the shore were not 
slow to imitate his example. In a short time the whole bay was 
