DEPARTMENT OF THE PYRENEES. 285 



summer, which affects injuriously the roots while they are too little developed 

 to withstand the drought. 



" Since 1864 all kinds of -trees have been tried ; amongst resinous trees — 

 the silver fir, the larch, the Norway fir, the cedar, the Scotch fir, the 

 Austrian pine, the Mugho or dwarf pine, and the Maritime pine ; amongst 

 broad-leaved trees — the oak, the beech, and the ailanthus. The silver fir 

 and the larch have not succeeded well ; the Norway fir and the Maritime 

 pine on the heights tend to disappear, the ground being too dry, and the 

 altitude too great ; the cedar forms a thicket ; but on the other hand, the 

 pines withstand all extreme cold as well as heat, and snow as well as the 

 wind, and thus the Austrian pine and the Corsican pine maintain their 

 place. 



" The beech takes well to the mountain, but grows slowly. 

 " The oak does not succeed on the plateaux, but grows strongly on the 

 lower slopes. 



" The ailanthus disappeared completely during the first winter. 

 " It may be well to add, that sowing broadcast short brooms has given 

 good results. 



" Thus it is now quite determined what kind of trees should be introduced 

 into the p^rimfetre of Kiols. 



"The law of 8th June 1864, which sanctioned the diversion from what 

 was primarily set apart for reboisement of considerable areas for pasture 

 grounds, has met the feelings of the inhabitants of the Sommail, proprietors 

 of pretty large flocks. There has been nothing more to fear of dispute or 

 opposition in this commune. 



"From 1864 to 31st December 1868, there have been rewooded 415 hect. ; 

 and there have been expended on new works, and works of maintenance, 

 49,955 francs 28 cents., inclusive of 1445 francs provided by departmental 

 conventions. 



" The 415 hectares which have been rewooded from 1864 to 1868 may 

 now be considered in a state of good keeping. 



" The rehoisements in the commune of Riols are of too recent a date for 

 them to have been able as yet to exercise a marked influence on the regime 

 of the water. The enclosures, and prohibitions of grubbing of box trees 

 within the p6rim6tre, have, however, prevented the increase and extention 

 of ravines." 



A corresponding report has been given of operations in the p^rimetre of 

 Saint-Julien, in the canton of Olargues, in this department. 



Similar are the operations carried on in the Puy-de-D6me, and Cantal, 

 both belonging to the region of the Cevennes and the central j)lateau ; 

 but these I pass to give information in regard to operations in the Pyrenees. 



Sect. X. — The Pyrenees. 



It has already been mentioned that it is only in the department of the - 

 Isfere, the Dr6me, and the Lower Alps, that we met with torrents like those 

 of the High Alps. In the Lozfere there are vallats somewhat resembling 

 them ; their representation in the Pyrenees are Gaves, which are torrential 

 rivers or rapid water-courses in deep cuttings, losing themselves occasionsilly 

 in subterranean canals. 



Of the Pyrenees, the following account was given by Weld, some fifteen 

 yeai'S ago, and relating to the everlasting mountain, it holds true, and will 



