THE BAY OF BISCAY. 155 



vancing mass of waters, although occasionally dis- 

 appearing almost entirely under some high wave. 

 There is not, however, the slightest cause of alarm 

 on these occasions, nor is any real danger to the 

 fair bathers to be apprehended, for a master diver, 

 an old sailor, who has been bronzed by exposure to 

 the sun and winds in every climate, is always present 

 to watch over the general safety, and to afford as- 

 sistance in case of need. There is, however, no 

 instance on record of any bather having been drowned 

 at Guettary, and there is no doubt that bathing in 

 this manner in the open sea must be doubly effi- 

 cacious from the amount of exercise which it neces- 

 sitates. 



All the men of Guettary are sailors, or, at all 

 events, lead a seafaring life. The greater number of 

 them generally ship themselves on board vessels 

 bound for Newfoundland, and after the season they 

 return to their homes with a sum of money varying 

 from 800 to 1,500 francs each. The others are en- 

 gaged in fishing, more especially in the tunny fishery; 

 but this is not conducted here in the same manner 

 as in the Mediterranean, for the abysses, rocks, and 

 tempests of the Bay of Biscay do not allow of the 

 establishment of madrayuas. 



The fish too is different in the two seas. The 

 tunny of the Mediterranean may be known by its 

 short pectoral fins, but the species which is caught 

 at Guettary has very long fins, and is, moreover, of 

 much smaller size, although its flesh is more delicate, 

 and hence it is most esteemed in a commercial point 



