OF THE LAKE OF NEUCHATEL. 351 



itself felt, wlience at present we are in possession of several systematic -works 

 on lacixstrian constructions, which, while eviuciuf^ the science and sagacity of 

 their authors, have powerfully contributed to diffuse a taste for the study of this 

 old world, scarcely resuscitated from the tomb of unrecorded centuries. Among 

 the number of works which have obtained a well-merited success may be cited, 

 as in the first rank, that of M. Troyon, [Habitations lacustrcs des temps ancrens 

 et modernes, Lausanne, 1S60;) that of M. Morlot, [Etudes Geologico-Archfeolo- 

 giques en Danejuark et en Suisse, Bulletins de la Societe Vaudoise des Sc. Nat., 

 18G0 ;) to Avhich may be now added a third, that of M. Schaub, [Die PJa/dhau- 

 ten in den Schccizerseen, Zurich, 1864,) which is especially calculated to popu- 

 larize throughout our country the study of lacustrian constructions. 



The lake of Neucbatel, thanks to the interest which the inhabitants of its 

 shores cherish for the history of their native land, could not fail to stimulate interest- 

 ing discoveries. There, pile-works were known to exist at many localities — at 

 Bied, Cortaillod, Auvernier, Ohez-le-Bart, St. Aubin, Concise, Corcelles, Corce- 

 lettes. Font, Estavayer, Forel, Ohevroux, Port Albau, Oudrefiu, Avhich became so 

 many fertile fields, in which inquiry was soon to be rewarded with abundant har- 

 vests. The low waters of 1^858-1859 having facilitated the exploration of these 

 several stations, collections were gradually formed at different points of the shore. 

 It will suifice to mention those of the museum of Neuchatel, of M. Troyon, of M. 

 Portales-Sandoz, at Lance ; of Dr. Clement, at St. Aubin ; of M. Rochat, at 

 Yverdon ; of MM. Rey and de Vevey, at Estavayer, without counting our own, 

 and the most complete of all, that of Colonel Schwab, at Bienne. 



But how can habitations be conceived of at places now covered with water 

 to the depth of two and three metres ? The first question usually asked is, 

 whether the waters of our lakes might not have been lower at the period referred 

 to than at present? This suggestion led to the inquiry whether there existed 

 at the outlet of these lakes obstacles which, by obstructing the rivers, may have 

 raised the lev J of their waters. Land-slips have in fact been distinguished at 

 the mouth of the Thielle,* and it has been attempted to establish a relation be- 

 tween these and the ancient encroachments at Nidau, as well as the remains of 

 Roman roads in the grand marais, which are at present covered with peat. "We 

 are far from pretending that certain lakes of Switzerland have not undergone 

 changes ; perhaps that of Neuchatel is of the number. But the fact must not 

 be lost sight of, that the phenomenon in question is a general one, and as pile- 

 work exists in nearly all the lakes, it would follow that all had been obstructed 

 at their outlet. Now, as this is not the case, we are forced to admit that the 

 piles must have been sunk and secured under the water, and that consequently 

 the constructions which they supported were really lacustrian. The diameter 

 of the piles is in general too small to have supported constructions at all massive ; 

 there can be no question here, but of cabins of very frail character.f 



At first glance, the idea may seem strange, if not absurd, that men should 

 have established themselves on the water instead of pitching their tents or 

 building their cabins on the terra jirma ; but closer reflection will enable us to 

 comprehend that at the origin of the lacustrian period, at an epoch when the 

 soil of Switzerland was covered with forests and the borders of the lakes prob- 

 ably occupied by marshes, these lacustrian abodes may have offered to their in- 

 habitants a more secure asylum against the ambush of enemies and the attack 



* See the article of M. Culmann, in the Schweizerische Polytechnische Zeitschrift, 111, pp. 

 9 aud 10, on the bar of the Pfeidwald, near Nidase. 



t For the form and appearance of these constructions we refer to the descriptions and 

 figures which have been published by MM. Keller, Troyon, and Lyell. 



