COLLEOTING OP EESIN. 7 



hand could score 2,400 trees, scrape the resine molle, which encrusts 

 the trunks, into the troughs with small iron rakes, and carry the 

 resin to the pits where it is boiled. I saw a resinier frequently score 

 a tree to the height of 15 feet, and make a ik'ough in two minutes 

 and a quarter. Such a proficient earns 25 francs weekly, a high 

 wage in this part of France. Indeed, the resinier is far better off 

 now than the small vineyard proprietor, who generally, destitute of 

 capital, is ruined by a failure of his crop. . . . 



'•' When the pines have been scored and re-scored, those destined 

 to make tar — called pins perdus — are cut down. The tar, com- 

 mercially known as goudron des Landes, not so good, however, as 

 that derived from the Scotch pine, is made by burning the roots and 

 thick portion of the trunk very slowly in cavities made in sloping 

 ground, and the tar is caught in cast-iron pans and run into barrels. 

 An inferior kind of lamp-black is deposited from the smoke of the 

 wood, but a better description is obtained by burning the straw used 

 in straining the resin. 



" Besides these products, the resin of the Finns Pinaster yields 

 common turpentine, and is used extensively for pills. Glaring 

 placards and advertisements at Arcachon further inform the visitor 

 that ' Sdve de Fin Maritime est recommandee contre les affections de 

 poitrine, cafarrhes, bronchitis,' &c., by the French Faculty, — a revival 

 by the way, in another form, of tar-water, whose varieties were 

 extolled by Bishop Berkeley long ago, in his curious book, entitled 

 * Sevis'. . . 



" And even now the economical uses of resin are not exhausted ; 

 so the Frenchman did not exaggerate when he asserted that, resine 

 est I'or en barriques. 



" Many and delightful were the hours that I spent in the Pignadas, 

 generally on horseback, for the country around Arcachon is very 

 favourable for riding, and the small Landais horses are excellent. 

 Arab blood runs in their veins. 



*' As all the ayrhnens of Arcachon are not yet chronicled in guide 

 books, I may mention that by far the most enjoyable excursion is 

 that to the Fointe du Slid, about six miles south of the town. Start 

 early, when the tide is ebbing, so that you may enjoy the fine, broad, 

 hard sand. At the Fointe du Sud you have the mighty Atlantic before 

 you, the great Biscayan waves breaking at your feet ; while behind 

 dark pines fringe the coast. Return through the forest ; avenues, 

 called Gardes-feii cut through the pines to prevent the spread of fire, 

 extend to Arcachoa ; and when you are on the right track, you will 



