360. THE OCEAN WORLD. 
air, and remains constantly under water, except at the period of 
spring tides. ‘These are gathered in sacks made of old matting, or 
suspended in interstices of the basket-work.. “These immense 
palisades,” says M. Coste, ‘(become covered with black clusters of 
mussels developed between the meshes of their tissues.” At this 
time the second rows are cleared away to make room for younger 
generations ; the mussels, which no longer dread the air, are trans- 
ported to the more advanced bouchots, which remain above water in 
all tides, where they stay till they are fit for market, which usually 
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Fig. 160.—Piles, with Basket-work, covered with Mussels in a fit state to be gathered iu. 
happens after ten or twelve months of culture on the more advanced 
bouchots. 
But, in order to prepare for this consummation, they are subjected 
to a second and even a third remove. There is no longer any 
danger in subjecting them to the air for many hours. From this 
they pass to a fourth stage, termed Amont (Fig. 160). From this 
stage the full-grown mussel is removed. Under this system of culture 
the reproduction, nursing, collecting, and preparing for market, are 
made simultaneously. From July to January the mussel trade is in 
full operation, and the flesh in perfection. From February to April 
is the close season ; their flesh is then poor and leathery. It is also 
