266 DEVASTATIONS AND BB8TOEATION8. 



The new scheme of embankment has been abandoned. The proprietors 

 have again brought under culture all the lands previously invaded, and a 

 few years ago they planted vines and orchards within the very embank- 

 ments of the torrent formerly reared. These facts are patent to all ; and 

 they have been officially oertified by the Service des Fonts et Chaussees. 



" The expenditure, including that of 1868, has been 91,134 francs 24 

 centimes. The number of hairctges constructed is 759. The total length of 

 the barrages vivants and the hurdles is 32,270 metres. The length of roads, 

 9,400 mfetres. The length of channel to carry oflf and disperse the water, 

 1117 metres. The extent of ground regenerated and restored is 400 

 hectares. The extent of what may be considered as regained and main- 

 tained is 300 hectares." 



Such is the report of the Administration in regard to the extinction of 

 the torrent of Sainte-Marthe. In accordance with this is the statement by 

 M. Gentil, previously cited. And in accordance with both are statements 

 which have been subsequently published., 



In the same valley is the torrent of Vachferes, in regard to which corres- 

 ponding details are given, the torrent of Chagne, the torrent of Riou- 

 Bourdoux, the torrent of Reallen, the torrent of Valeria, the torrent of Treute- 

 Pas, the torrent of Lhubac, in regard to aU of which are given similar 

 details not less romantic, but true. Ex uno disce omnes. 



And there are other, and many other, valleys in these same High Alps in 

 which corresponding work has been done, varying only as it varied with 

 varying circumstances in different localities here. ^ 



Statements scarcely, if at all, less interesting and encouraging than this I 

 have quoted in regard to the valley of the Durance are given in regard to 

 operations in the basin of the Drac, including those in the Communes of 

 Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicoals, of Orcieres, and of Champoleon, which two 

 latter give their names to two branches of the river, the Drac d'Orcieres, and 

 the Drac de Champoleon. 



From a Notesur les Bessdchements, &c., by M, Montluissant, in the Annales 

 des Fonts et Chaussies for 1833, it appears that the Drac has when in flood 

 poured into the Isfere, at its confluence with this river a little below Gren- 

 oble, 5,200 cubic yards of water per second, such is its importance. 



M. C6zanne intimates that nothing could be more profitable to a student 

 of such works than would be a visit of inspection to the works of reboisement 

 in the High Alps, if there could be secured the advantage of making such 

 inspection under the guidance of a man who has organised them amidst 

 difficulties, which description can only imperfectly bring before the mind, 

 and such a one, says he, is M. Costa de Bastelica — a man heart and soul 

 devoted to the work. Whilst some functionaries sent to the Alps, says he, 

 from the day of their arrival live in thoughts of the day when they shall 

 be able to leave the miserable country, M. Costa has attached himself to 

 these mountains by a protracted residence. Daily witnessing the ravages 

 of the torrents, and imbued with the ideas of M. Surell, he has had faith 

 in success, and when the law of 1860, and the confidence in him justified 

 by his administration, gave him the means and opportunity of action, he 

 gave himself to the work with an enthusiastic interest, to which his country, 

 witness of his efi'orts, renders with unanimity its homage. 



The time is not yet long gone past when the soared mountaineers were 



