Photo and copyright by Underwood & Underwood 



ACRES OE OYSTER-BEDS AT CANCALE, ERANCE 



Cancale is a town of 7,000 inhabitants, set up above the waves, but living by the sea. Its 

 leading industry is oyster farming, and those of Cancale enjoy a wide reputation throughout 

 France for their delicious flavor. The oyster-beds cover a total area of 430 acres and are 

 an example of what the intensive cultivation of the bivalve can produce. 



a fine silken apron of delicate lavender, 

 green, pink, or cream, exquisitely em- 

 broidered. But it is the bigouden, or 

 head-dress, that is most remarkable — a 

 tight brown straw casque over the fore- 

 head and crown, broad black velvet ear- 

 muffs and bands, and a touch of filmy 

 white. 



Even the littlest children are in cos- 



tume on pardon days, and the tinier they 

 are the droller they look, though not so 

 droll as papa, with his baggy gray or blue 

 trousers, short jacket, embroidered cleri- 

 cal-style vest, and shovel beaver, with 

 two long black velvet ribbons dangling 

 down his back. There are other cos- 

 tumes in Brittany which are prettier, but 

 none so characteristic. 



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