THE COASTS OF SAINTOXGE. 275 



peated shocks which shake and undermine their base, 

 fall away in large fragments, and mingle their debris 

 reduced to powder with those which the waves have 

 torn up from the very depths of the ocean. Thus 

 we find along the whole length of this coast that the 

 sea has been effecting the double work of accumu- 

 lating mud and of breaking down the rocks results 

 which we may see confirmed at the very gates of 

 La Rochelle. 



My first researches confirmed but too well the 

 discouraging presentiments with which the inspection 

 of these coasts had inspired me. I was obliged to 

 go to the lowest tide mark before I could meet with 

 animals which elsewhere are found in the highest 

 zones, and even there, although I worked diligently 

 with my pickaxe and crowbar, I only found a few 

 common species, which I recognised from having 

 seen them both at Boulogne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. 

 After many equally unprofitable attempts, and 

 finding that my bottles still continued empty, I gave 

 up my ordinary methods of exploring, and tried 

 what could be done by other means. 



It was then that I had reason to congratulate myself 

 for not having listened to the petty vanities of society 

 or to self-love and a desire of ease, and that, faithful 

 to the habits of a devoted labourer in the cause of 

 science, I had avoided taking up my residence in 

 the fashionable quarters of the city. The lodging 

 which I secured was situated at the harbour, in a 

 tavern which was chiefly frequented by the work- 

 men of the neighbouring docks. My hostess, who 

 was no longer young, was somewhat of a scold, and 



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