THE COASTS OF SAINTONGE. 311 



The aeon is composed of a plank of hard wood, 

 which constitutes the bottom, and is called the sole. 

 This plank is bent in the fore part in such a manner 

 as to form a sort of flat prow. Three light planks, 

 which are nailed together at the sides and back, com- 

 plete this simple boat, which is not more than two or 

 three yards in length and from twenty to twenty- 

 five inches in breadth. A short pole and a wooden 

 paddle constitute the whole of its equipment. In 

 using the aeon, the boatman rests on one knee, 

 while he passes the other leg over the side of the 

 boat, where, provided with a long boot, it serves the 

 double purpose of an oar and a rudder. The boat- 

 man, who is balanced on the sole of the aeon, whose 

 sides he firmly grasps, plunges his foot into the mud 

 until he reaches a comparatively firmer part, when 

 he propels the boat onward. The aeon is thus made 

 to glide over the fluid mud, and by means of this 

 fatiguing process the Esnandes boatmen sometimes 

 move with such rapidity, that I have often found it 

 difficult to keep up with them, although I was walk- 

 ing at a quick pace along the beach. 



The mode of locomotion which we have just de- 

 scribed requires a soft and smooth soil. It happens, 

 however, that every year, in consequence of the heavy 

 storms of winter, the bay undergoes a remarkable 

 transformation throughout its whole extent. The 

 mud appears to be moulded by the waves, whose 

 form it retains. From north to south there extend, 

 parallel to the shore, long furrows at equal distances 

 from one another, which are sometimes more than a 

 yard in height. During high tide the crests of these 



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