THE COASTS OF SAINTONGE. 307 



even changed in colour, while some of them still en- 

 close a yellowish animal matter, the remains of the 

 Molluscs which formerly occupied them. Everything 

 in these banks indicates that the inhabitants of these 

 shells lived and died in the spot where their remains 

 are found at the present day, and yet their upper 

 beds are from nine to fourteen yards above the level 

 of the highest tides. To explain their existence we 

 must, therefore, admit the occurrence of circum- 

 scribed local upheavals. With these facts before us, 

 there seems no difficulty in assuming the occurrence 

 of a slower upheaval extending over all the neigh- 

 bouring districts. 



Be the causes, however, what they may, it is 

 certain that the entrance at Point Aiguillon is in- 

 cessantly contracting towards the north. On the 

 southern side, the coast has not undergone any 

 notable change, and Point Saint Clement still 

 shelters, as it did in the middle ages, the little village 

 of Esnandes. Hither I was conducted by Doctor 

 Sauve, in order that I might observe the curious 

 phenomena which are an exact counterpart to those 

 that may be seen at Chatelaillon. An hour's rapid 

 drive sufficed to carry us over the undulating hills 

 of the primitive isthmus, and from the brow o 

 the last ascent we could perceive at our feet Es- 

 nandes, with its pretty white and clean-looking 

 houses and its singular church. This last edifice in 

 no respect resembles a peaceful house of prayer. If 

 it were not for the cross which surmounts the massive 

 square donjon-like tower, one would be disposed to 

 take it for a fortress. Ruined fosses still surround 



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