98 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOG-ICAL SOCIETY. 



Le Croisic from Mr. Elf or d Dickie, the British Vice- 

 Consul at St. Nazaire, to whom I tender my thanks for 

 his courtesy and help, 



I have not thought it necessary to give references to the 

 various reports and papers on oysters and other shell-fish 

 which have been published in the past, chiefly in France 

 and America, as I consider it more important for the present 

 purpose that I should give an account of what I saw 

 myself, and state my own opinions based upon all the 

 information I have been able to get in any way. 



I shall first give a brief statement showing the order in 

 which I visited the localities, and then a more detailed 

 account of the fishery methods at each centre. Finally I 

 shall draw some general conclusions as to the applicability 

 of the French methods to our own district. 



Outline op Tour. 

 On arriving in Bordeaux I was met by Mons. Emile 

 Duregne, Directeur de la Station Zoologique, and Secretary 

 of the Scientific Society of Arcachon, who very kindly 

 offered to accompany me next morning to Arcachon and 

 facilitate my enquiries there. I found his presence with 

 me of the very greatest assistance as he was intimately 

 acquainted with the ground, and knew personally the men 

 engaged in oyster culture, and so was able to let me see 

 the various processes in much less time than it would 

 otherwise have taken. 



At Arcachon M. Duregne placed the resources of the 

 Zoological Station at my disposal. I was assigned a 

 bedroom and a private laboratory, and during my short 

 stay I lived in the institution, had the use of the station 

 boatmen, and found it all a great convenience in obtaining, 

 examining and packing my specimens. For this courteous 

 treatment I take this opportunity of thanking the Scientific 



