368 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



up in groups, fastened together by a wooden frame or iron wire, and 

 then dipped in lime and cement. From the 30th May to 16th 

 June is generally the best time for laying the collectors, which, 

 every three months, are taken to pieces, cleansed and relaid. 



After eight to nine months the tiles are taken ashore, and the 

 young Oysters removed by a special knife. This process is 

 called detroquage. When it is accomplished, the Oysters are 

 washed and placed in safes called ambulances. These are made 

 of rough rectangular tarred wood frames, provided with short 

 18-inch legs, and a moveable top. The ends, sides, tops, and 

 bottoms are mostly of galvanized netting ; thus the flow of water 

 is not impeded, whilst the Oysters are secured from their enemies. 

 Every day at low water the safes, which are then dry for several 

 hours, are examined, and the contents cleaned and re-arranged 

 if necessary. In five to six months the Oysters usually measure 

 If to 2 in. diameter ; and are then removed from the ambulances 

 and bedded in the pare. 



At Cape Breton, however, the Oysters are not bedded, but 

 reared entirely in safes. Their growth is thereby accelerated, 

 and in seven months their diameter reaches Si to 3| in. 



Oyster rearing at Thau, near Cette, is chiefly noteworthy for 

 the method by which the ambulances are secured. The Oyster 

 farms here are in reality rafts floated on empty petroleum barrels, 

 and moored in the canal leading from Thau to the sea. The 

 bottom of the canal is muddy sand, the current strong, and the 

 position unsuited for bedding ; safes therefore are used. These 

 are tarred wooden trays with wire netting or wooden lattice 

 bottoms. On these trays rows of If to 2 in. Oysters brought 

 from Arcachon are laid, one Oyster leaning against its neighbour, 

 joints downwards, the bigger Oysters in the centre, the smaller 

 at the sides. About twelve to fifteen trays are then placed on the 

 top of one another, and secured to an empty barrel by two chains 

 passing round the lot. The apparatus is then immersed and 

 moored to a floating beam. In this way the Oysters are left to 

 grow to maturity, but every three months the trays are raised 

 and cleaned by dashing water over them. In eleven months the 

 Oysters reach 2i to 2>i in. diameter, and are ready for market. 



It may passingly be noted that on the French coast of the 

 Atlantic, suitable localities for Oyster rearing are very numerous, 

 but those for breeding purposes are practically confined to 



