THE LANDES OF GASCONY. I 57 



contract is drawn up by M. Harran, notary of Bayonne, and is 

 dated 21st December 1622. 



Later records deal with the purchase and sowing of seed, 

 and give details of the expense incurred in sowing areas with 

 the object of fixing the sand ; the dates of these outlays are all 

 placed in the first half of the seventeenth century. Towards the 

 close of the century it was found necessary to lay down very 

 strict laws with regard to the practice of certain individuals of 

 the Anglet district and of the captains of vessels moored in the 

 river of Bayonne. These individuals had cut the forest on the 

 banks of the river to such an extent that the sands which were 

 formerly fixed by the trees were now driven by the winds into 

 the river, where they formed banks. Strict directions are given 

 for the promulgation of the law, and lists of fines for offences 

 against the law. It is clear, then, that even at this date the value 

 of the tree was known to the people. 



A map published in 1590 by Jean Waghemer and added to 

 the Flambeau de la mer of the same author shows that the land 

 from Soulac southwards was covered by forest. A later map, 

 published in 1640, indicates at a position marked Port de Coutes 

 forests where resin is obtained. Maps of later date in the same 

 century show woods along the river bank from Soulac to 

 Pauillac. It is not easy to give an accurate estimate of the 

 area that was really under forest crop at the time when the 

 extensive operations of Chambrelent were begun, but an 

 examination of the Carte de VEtat-major would suggest that 

 the areas of bare land shown in the districts of Bordeaux and 

 Lesparre are not so extensive as those shown in the work 

 published by Chambrelent in 1887. 



The peat records and discoveries made in the course of 

 working the lignites of Laluque confirm the written records. Pine 

 stems have been found, with hazel and oak, in the Laluque 

 workings. In 1834, the discovery of pine stems marked with 

 incisions similar to those made in resin exploitation was 

 reported at Castets. These were covered with a layer of peat 

 70 cm. (2 ft. 3 ins.) thick. There are also records of pine stems 

 found in the same area in 1896; these stems were covered by 

 about one metre (3 ft. 3 ins.) of peat. 



Further historical records may be considered in connection 

 with the nature of the early products obtained from the pine. 

 The earliest products were "terebenthine," "barras ou galipot," 



