118 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



These basins of degorgement are also sometimes used 

 for the purpose of educating the oyster in view of the 

 prospective journey and subsequent sojourn in the market 

 or the fishmonger's shop. By emptying the basins 

 periodically, and so accustoming the oysters gradually to 

 stand exposure to air, they are taught to close their shells 

 very accurately when taken out of the sea so as to be able 

 to hold in the supply of water which lies around the* gills, 

 and upon which the animal is dependent for respiratory 

 purposes. I am of opinion that the use of basins of 

 degorgement is a most important and necessary sanitary 

 addition to successful oyster culture. 



It may be added that the men at Pointe le Chapus are of 

 the same opinion as the Arcachon parqueurs viz., that 

 the abundant deposit of spat this year is due to the hot 

 summer. 



Ile d'Oleron. 



From Pointe le Chapus I crossed to Le Chateau on the 

 island of Oleron where there are enormous mud flats 

 extending a long way into the straits of Maumusson. 

 There are numerous oyster pares over these mud flats 

 and extending all along the east and north sides of the 

 island. The parqueurs buy very small oysters from 

 Arcachon and lay them down to grow and fatten. After 

 18 months or 2 years they sell them again at a consider- 

 able profit. At low tides — especially at spring tides — the 

 pares are very carefully worked over in order to ensure 

 that the growing oysters are under favourable conditions 

 and are not suffering from their enemies. 



In addition to this rearing of young Arcachon (or 

 " flat ") oysters, which they say at Oleron is a most suc- 

 cessful and profitable industry, there has been a very 

 considerable cultivation, especially during the last year or 



