Cévennes Mountains (France); France -- Description and travel
Here one passes abruptly from the limestone to the granite, and at once
notes a corresponding difference in the flora. Among the limestone
rocks the pinks show as drops of blood. On the granite are none. The
fields by Roquedols are white with narcissus poeticus, not a flower
of that bulb is in the calcareous fields. The distance from Meyrueis
to the Aigoual is just over nineteen miles, and a carriage should
be taken at least as far as to Camprieu, where Bramabiau demands a
visit. On the top of the Aigoual a dinner and a bed may be obtained
at the Observatory. Bramabiau may also be visited from Le Vigan. The
rivulet of the Bonheur, that descends from the Col de Séyrerède near
the Aigoual, after flowing over granite and schist, encounters a mass
of Dolomitic limestone, through which it has bored a channel for a
distance of 1,200 feet. The tunnel through which it flows is in one
place open to the sky through the falling in of the roof. The name
Bramabiau given to this cavern traversed by a stream is onomatopœic,
and signifies the bellowing of a bull, as the water in time of flood
gives forth angry sounds.
Nothing surprises one more than the apparent inadequacy of the means
to the end attained. The Bonheur is but a small stream, yet the work
it has achieved is tremendous. But it must be borne in mind that where
stands Camprieu was once a lake, the water held back by the barrier of
limestone, and that the accumulated force was brought to bear on the
rock to effect this tunnel of drainage. Moreover, the rock itself was
full of holes like a sponge, with large vaults like huge bubbles in its
interior, so that it was not a solid mass through which the stream had
to bore its way. It was further aided by several springs rising within
the rock, all working in their several courses to effect their escape.
[Illustration: BRAMABIAU]
The exploration of Bramabiau was accomplished in June, 1888, by M.
Martel and his guides. They attempted first to penetrate by the opening
through which the Bonheur leaps into light again, but found that the
gallery consisted of a series of ascents, with cascades and pools;
and although by wading and with ladders they succeeded in reaching
a considerable distance, they could not attain to the point where
the stream begins to dive underground. On the following day these
indefatigable explorers attacked the tunnel from above, where the
Bonheur enters, and were able to descend to the point reached on the
preceding day, and further to pursue their course till they came out
where the stream issues, a distance as the crow flies of a kilometre.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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